The room is dark and grim. Upon entry, there’s an immediate rise in body temperature; beads of sweat appear about the forehead and nose.  Tools of the trade suspend all about the structure; a furnace emits an enormous amount of heat which aids in the creative process. When discussing the importance of the blacksmith, the mind reverts to an era of mythology; dragons and knights; smalls towns during the age of colonialism in the New World; the “Wild West”; Scotland and England during the middle ages; where young boys concealed themselves behind inanimate objects spying the “smithy” performing their tasks.  A blacksmith is charged with creating objects from wrought iron or steel by forging the metal, using tools to hammer, bend and cut. In the annals of history, the blacksmith constructed weapons to slay potential foes; fabricated iron to furnish homes and be used as accessories.  Today, those traits are used in other facets by the populous at large.

As adults, we are responsible for forging the minds of the youth. The information we provide them, through music, television, speech and literature, fuel the furnaces of their brain. It’s negligence on the part of parents to place that burden on teachers in the school system, under the assumption that they are solely liable for enhancing the knowledge of our children.  The sparks that fly from each strike of the mallet to form the personality of a child have equal importance to their overall development. The cinders and ash that land and mark your skin are a result of the failures and difficulties that are met when faced with the adversity when instilling morals and values. Parents manufacture the weapons that are used by their children to combat the metaphorical demons and dragons that life often places in their child’s path. Their ability to use those instruments contributes to the level of success they may achieve.  Gold, silver and cooper are all metals that are used by the blacksmith to craft beautiful trinkets and items placed on display for the world to adore; ironically, they’re the same items that society is taught to attain to have measureable success in the eyes of many.  What’s made in the confines of those shops (homes) can’t simply be discarded and deemed unusable; all the finished works which hang on hooks throughout the structure are lessons which foster levels of triumph. Frustrations are released through the flue of the chimney; the sulfur that litters the floor are the remnants of bad habits which have been deposited and removed in exchange for behavior that’s more amenable.  Through it all, the “smithy” remains undeterred and unrewarded; aware that the grueling days and long hours are well worth the compensation that’ll be received for a lifetime of accomplishments if all of their labors are reciprocated and lessons passed down to future generations by their children or those under their care.  And as the steam emanates into the atmosphere, and the tools of tutelage are cooled under the rushing waters of parenthood or mentorship, all that can be asked after placing your apron upon a hanger and wiping your brow is, was it a job well done on my behalf? Be there for the youth to assist in forging a lifespan of achievements.  Blacksmiths united.  “We Are The Change!”  I’m gone! (b)

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