I can hear the last train… the night animals will be out. Tomorrow I’ll see their tracks in the snow. It must be exciting, moving quietly, feeling the pulse in your temples, seeing the hills in the grey light, and hearing the slender sound of the creek…
Maybe I should go for a walk.
The ice is melting… it will soon be spring.
Pablo? What are you doing? Please come back to bed…
How’s the Co-op working out in the house? said Alex. Just fine, said Blurtso, except that they think I’m some sort of guru.
Is Blurtso still pining for Lizzy? Actually, said Pablo, he’s doing much better since he converted the house into an animal shelter.
Circle from side to side, said Blurtso, shifting your weight from hoof to hoof… left hoof full, right hoof empty, right hoof full, left hoof empty…
With all this snow, said Blurtso, I don’t think I’m getting enough exercise. Maybe you should do some tai chi, said Harlan. Could you teach me? said Blurtso. Sure, said Harlan.
We’ll begin with a simple circling exercise, said Harlan.
A little less like an airplane propeller, said Harlan, more slowly, and more side to side.
I’ve opened and closed the latch on this barn door every day for three years, said Blurtso, and I can’t remember what it looks like… I couldn’t begin to describe it, or describe a thousand other things I’ve used again and again and again. Yes, said Harlan, that’s the way it is, we stumble blindly along, and then one day we’re gone and only the forgotten things remain.
I wonder if I should be anxious about the passage of time? I suppose every second that passes carries me closer to death, and I should try to fill every second with as much life as possible. But you can only fill what was empty to begin with, so first, I should try to make every second as empty as possible.
I heard you converted the greenhouse into an co-op and shelter, said Alex. Yes, said Blurtso, and I’m going to expand by letting some of the animals stay in the house.
Wow, said Harlan, the greenhouse looks great! Yes, said Blurtso, there’s nothing like having friends. What will you do now? I’m thinking of starting a Co-op.
Hello, said Renzo. Hello, said Blurtso. I saw you on TV, said Renzo. You did? said Blurtso. Yes, said Renzo, and I thought you might like some help. Some help? said Blurtso. Yes, said Renzo, getting your greenhouse under control… my friends and I could help you graze. Thank you, said Blurtso, that would be lovely.
