This mobile is a response to a poem by Richard Wilbur which was inspired by seeing a murmuration of Starlings. The poet views the birds and is delighted by the way that they defy his attempt to impose a shape on their movements. The last four lines of the poem are incorporated into the hoop at the top.

“It is by words and the defeat of words
Down sudden shadows of the vain attempt
That for a flying moment one may see
By what cross purposes the world is dreamt.”

The top hoop is made using vacuum formed and laminated Koto veneer. The wings of the starlings are vacuum formed smoked Oak and their bodies are Black Walnut. The wings have a tiny amount of mica rubbed in to the grain to give them a sparkle. The birds move easily in light currents and as well as side to side motion they also rise and fall.