Several weeks ago, I first addressed urban decay as the process by which formerly bustling cities fall into gradual disrepair. Small scale examples of this can be found in most every city, from state capitals to forgotten mill towns on the edge of the wilderness. Last time, I focused on hollow buildings in the shadows of skyscrapers, but now I'd like to point out the beautiful sadness of rural decay in small towns.

While the oldest buildings in the city have long been dwarfed by modern architecture, the lost factories of the country continue to be the largest structures in the area. Their windows often remain unbroken, and their exteriors remain in relatively good condition. It is these qualities that can give the illusion of recent abandonment.

It is undeniable that humans seem to have a certain fascination with abandoned places. I think it's the sight of things formerly considered modern. Mankind is easily captivated by the mess we have left behind in the wake of continued advancement.

Also much more common in the country is nature taking back what was once hers. Without constant human regulation, vines and grasses quickly return to stake their claim on the waste of humanity.

Whether urban or rural decay, these places all carry a kind of heavy sadness imposed upon visitors. For so many decades they have been sleeping under the same sky with stars reflected in their wide-eyed windows, and we must soon consider the idea of waking them up.