Artwork > Mixed-Media

Anthracite coal miners had a saying, "If the timbers start talking, we start walking." The timbers don't really support the mine roof. It is held up by pillars of stone that miners leave standing as they dig out adjoining chambers of coal. If the timbers started to make noise or crack the miners left the area quickly because that meant there is movement above that indicated a cave-in of the mine ceiling. This piece of timber has spoken.