Category: Haste and leisure

“Blurtso hears a whisper” (I)

blurtso3104

Harlan? said Blurtso. What? said Harlan. Did you hear that? said Blurtso. Yes, said Harlan. What do you think it is? said Blurtso. I don’t know, said Harlan. It’s coming from downstairs, said Blurtso. Yes, said Harlan. Can you hear any breathing? said Blurtso No, said Harlan. It must be very small, said Blurtso. Yes, said Harlan, maybe it’s a bird, or a snake. A snake? said Blurtso. Yes, said Harlan. Don’t they go south? said Blurtso. I’m not sure, said Harlan. They must, said Blurtso, Boston is too cold for a snake. Unless he’s in a barn, said Harlan. Yes, said Blurtso, with solar heating and laminated windows. You have laminated windows? said Harlan. Yes, said Blurtso. No wonder it’s so warm, said Harlan. Can snakes climb ladders? said Blurtso. I don’t think so, said Harlan, unless they’re circus snakes. Circus snakes? said Blurtso. Yes, said Harlan. Hey, said Blurtso, there he goes again! Yes, said Harlan. But that was a jerky sound, said Blurtso, it didn’t sound like a snake at all. No it didn’t, said Harlan. Unless, said Blurtso, it was a circus snake imitating another animal. Yes, said Harlan. Did you hear that? said Blurtso. No, said Harlan. That’s what I mean, said Blurtso, I think our snake has gone. I don’t know, said Harlan, snakes can be very quiet. That’s true, said Blurtso, we could have a barnful of snakes and not even know it. Yes, said Harlan. Maybe I should pull up the ladder, said Blurtso. There, can you hear anything now? No, said Harlan. Neither can I, said Blurtso. Maybe we should get some sleep, said Harlan. It’s going to be hard, said Blurtso, with the silence of the snakes.

“Bonny and Pablo go for tapas”

There’s a bar on Inman Square named after Salvador Dali.

blurtso292

Ración de tortilla y una caña, said Pablo.
Y para la señorita? said the barkeep. Lo mismo, said Bonny.

“Blurtso enjoys things that fall”

blurtso1906

There goes another snowflake, said Blurtso. I like to watch things that fall—leaves, feathers, snowflakes—things just a little heavier than air. There’s something relaxing in watching them let go, something soothing in their acceptance and lack of direction, their trust in the cycle… of soil and stars.

“Blurtso makes a resolution”

blurtso883

It’s a new year… I guess I’d better make a resolution. Let’s see… “this year I resolve to…” hmm… “I resolve…” hmm… what does that mean…? To be “resolved,” to be “determined,” to be “unyielding in one’s purpose,” to be “intransigent,” “inveterate,” “obdurate,” and “inflexible.” Hmm, I don’t really like that. I think being flexible is the key to happiness. Of course, flexibility implies rigidity, that is, something to be “flexible” about. Hmm… what I need is a resolution that is both rigid and flexible… I know!… “This year I resolve… to be less resolved.”

“Pablo sings his songs”

blurtso3083

Here are some songs I’ve written.

Cliffs of the heart

You can’t say yes

The best we can do

The snow is melting

Slipping into stone

Out of line

Kindness

Undo what’s done

Devil’s Sister

Liar sun

Because I love you

The hope it is

Letting go

Crossroads night

Take me there

All I want is a breeze

The beginning of you

Hell on the inside

The kingdom meant for me

Eight ounces of water

Go around

Catch, glide and shove

Too late for you

This girl do

Sleeping where the rich people play

Of all the gold

Echo

Afraid this time

Tenderness

A safe place to go

Seize the moment

Haven’t had yet

My Michelle

Cruel shapes

You made him a promise

Seventh day

My baby’s arms

More than the blues

Drink beer on stage

I’m in you

Save me

Giraffe

 

“Bonny and Pablo go for a walk”

blurtso2072

That was a nice walk, said Pablo, what should we do now?
Let’s go home, said Bonny, and play Sudoku.

blurtso2076

That’s 127 for Ditto, 96 for me, and 16 for Pablo.

“Blurtso and Harlan watch the snow” (II)

blurtso3041

I guess there’s not much snow in Borneo, said Blurtso. No, said Harlan, but there are many palm trees. I like palm trees, said Blurtso. So do I, said Harlan, there’s nothing like napping in a palm grove… listening to the wind in the leaves, and feeling the shadows on your skin. Yes, said Blurtso, a palm grove is a great place to nap, and so is a recliner, under a palapa next to the sea. Yes, said Harlan, there’s nothing like napping to the sound of waves, with a cap pulled down on your eyes. A Red Sox cap? said Blurtso. Of course, said Harlan. The snow is nice too, said Blurtso. Yes, said Harlan, there’s nothing like napping in a loft, with a cup of hot cocoa, listening to the slosh of cars in the street. Yes, said Blurtso, or napping under an oak, on a summer day, in an empty field in Maine. I still can’t believe, said Harlan, the Red Sox didn’t win the World Series.

“Blurtso follows a star”

blurtso120

And they came from near and they came from far,
bearing gifts of frankincense, myrrh, and pumpkin pie.

“Blurtso and Harlan consider Christmas”

blurtso3062

I suppose some people get depressed at Christmas, said Blurtso. And New Year’s, said Harlan. I suppose, said Blurtso, the memories make you reflect on what you do and don’t have. Too often, said Harlan, on what you don’t. Is there any more cocoa? said Blurtso. Yes, said Harlan, plenty. And whipped cream? Yes, said Harlan, a full can.