Kingdom of Rust
In….Out....In….Out....
The crenellations of the old steel sea defence span the length of the beach forming a seemingly impenetrable barrier. A man made wall with an undulating surface, etched by time and decorated with the patterns of nature. It stands in defiance, facing the sea, guarding the crumbling cliffs behind. Its footings are buried deep within the wet shingle and its imposing structure stretches high into the sky. It affords protection - for now.
In.........Out.........In.........Out.........
The lazy waters of the ebb tide gently caress the base of the wall, each wave leaving its wet mark, a dash of vibrance on the orange surface. With every oscillation the connection between wall and wave becomes weaker, the sea retreating in on itself as it succumbs to the pull of the moon.
Just above the beach small holes gape at the retreating tide, spewing water swallowed on the flood. Tiny fountains of brine splash and sparkle in the sunshine as they plummet towards the beach.
Today this transition zone is peaceful but there are days when the storms come, the waves crash and the steel grumbles. The sound reverberates along the length of the wall as the forces of nature bare down in a deluge of wind, tide and salt spay. Crashing against the wall with the beat of a drum.
IN….OUT....IN….OUT….
Shingle shifts, boulders are hurled and water scours and reshapes the beach with the action of every wave. The wall absorbs each blow and stands strong and resilient - for now.
Dotted along the beach are the remains of old wooden groynes, broken timbers scoured by the sea, their straight lines sanded smooth, their strength and integrity eaten away. These are the defences that no longer defend. The sea is too strong, its powers will not be tamed by mans structures. The only thing standing in its way is the wall.
In….Out….In….Out….
Year In….Year Out….
In this Kingdom of Rust,
Where steel becomes dust,
and nature will eventually prevail.
The Kingdom of Rust was published as a limited edition zine in 2024
