Coal mines burning below the Earth

Here’s a photo taken yesterday June 23) during the Global Earth Exchange that Heron’s Eye Communications (Krista Gromalski and I) organized in Centralia, PA.

It depicts my father, Ormond Long, walking behind the bird we created out of dead tree limbs, rocks, grasses, broken mirror shards and vinyl siding—all scavenged on site. The bird rests atop an area that continues to smolder in spots from a mine fire that began in 1962 and continues today, resulting in the abandonment of the town. Today, less than 10 people still reside in Centralia and they, too, will be forced to leave their homes. With roots in the coal region ourselves, we feel a connection to this searing loss of place and empathy for the people and the wounded landscape.

We positioned our bird to point in the direction of a line of windmills to recognize the juxtaposition of two very different forms of energy. Before building the bird, we walked the nearby stretch of route 61 that is permanently closed to traffic due to the development of a large fissure resulting from the fire. “Welcome to the Graffiti Highway” was one of the first messages to greet us, followed by countless graphic expressions that ranged from insightful to disturbing.

Centralia’s wounds are evident in nearly every direction one looks, but we also saw evidence of great beauty as nature works to reclaim the damaged landscape. Catalpa trees were in full bloom and their stunning blossoms and exotic fragrance were restorative on many levels. As we worked, two young men came by to talk and we explained what we were doing, then encouraged them to host an event. Their interest and positive response was gratifying.Thank you for encouraging such efforts around the world. It does make a difference!