Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Blind Leader
Martin Armistice Day November 11, 2008
Conscience is a dog that does not stop us from passing but that we cannot prevent from barking. - Nicolas de Chamfort, writer (1741-1794)
*******
Leslie lived across from the church the whole time I worked there
she has been blind since birth
and I loved to watch her navigate seamlessly before I could
speak a greeting
she’d pick up my footfall and call me
by name.
I’ve been gone from the church for
12 years
I walk by on my way to my writing station at the museum but haven’t seen
Leslie in all those years
until yesterday when I was feeling a little disoriented as I frequently
do, wandering along trying not to think about
the elephant
size void where my fortune once seemed snugly
tucked away
and there she was Leslie (not my estranged fortune) on the sidewalk
dead ahead
Blayney, isn’t it? she asked to be polite not startle me
Are you crossing the street down there? gesturing with her red
tipped cane
Because I’ve gotten all turned around and need to get back to
Faye Avenue
as she took my arm my heart
sank
I have walked these streets for over 20 years and still don’t know
the names
Leslie, I confessed, it was your bad luck to run
into me
I think Faye is just two blocks
ahead
but I couldn’t swear to it because you know that
old saying
- the blind leading the blind - ?
This is it
Leslie laughed
We’re heading in the right direction, she assured me, grasping
my arm
with a little firmer grip
I’ll get you there.
Perhaps you heard the good news the Mars rover before
it died
detected light snow falling at the Mars north pole.
Sunday night I ran into an old friend, who
stepped down
from his day job even longer ago than I he said someone jumpy
about retiring
asked him what he most looked forward to every day That’s easy,
Waking up.
In Monday’s mail, a
beguiling photo
of a couple we know parasols unfurled handsomely dressed
kissing
inviting us to celebrate with them their excitement at
getting married
as they close in on their 10th decade.
Rahm Emanuel spoke for me when he counseled never to waste
a crisis
I have discovered the day I open my monthly money statement I can
skip
my Metamucil.
Mr. Son, clock genius without peer returned my
19th century French repeater carriage clock
he has been agonizing over for 5 years
Works perfect now, he boasted Kept perfect time in my shop all summer
I hate that damn thing but it love me more
than you You take it home if it doesn’t work you need exorcism
and indeed the poltergeist seem to have been cleared all except the
strike
chiming the previous hour rather than
simply once which, Son and I agree is
rather charming.
This morning at 6:30 a big ruckus on the beach 20 swarthy young men
in a circle, one blindfolded within the circle 10 young women in
head scarves
standing aside men shouting and clapping as blindfolded one
staggers around seeming to obey directions avoiding knocking over
Styrofoam cups
What’s this? UCSD Islamist Student Society one explains Some sinister
initiation? not exactly. Students have bad habit of sleeping late maybe
until 11am so we get everyone up to come play games on the beach What about the woman? Lacey asks, They don’t get to play? Oh yes, they got here even earlier and have finished.
This is Faye Avenue
Leslie announced when we reached the corner
The museum is just - she pointed her cane - one block
that way.
Conscience is a dog that does not stop us from passing but that we cannot prevent from barking. - Nicolas de Chamfort, writer (1741-1794)
*******
Leslie lived across from the church the whole time I worked there
she has been blind since birth
and I loved to watch her navigate seamlessly before I could
speak a greeting
she’d pick up my footfall and call me
by name.
I’ve been gone from the church for
12 years
I walk by on my way to my writing station at the museum but haven’t seen
Leslie in all those years
until yesterday when I was feeling a little disoriented as I frequently
do, wandering along trying not to think about
the elephant
size void where my fortune once seemed snugly
tucked away
and there she was Leslie (not my estranged fortune) on the sidewalk
dead ahead
Blayney, isn’t it? she asked to be polite not startle me
Are you crossing the street down there? gesturing with her red
tipped cane
Because I’ve gotten all turned around and need to get back to
Faye Avenue
as she took my arm my heart
sank
I have walked these streets for over 20 years and still don’t know
the names
Leslie, I confessed, it was your bad luck to run
into me
I think Faye is just two blocks
ahead
but I couldn’t swear to it because you know that
old saying
- the blind leading the blind - ?
This is it
Leslie laughed
We’re heading in the right direction, she assured me, grasping
my arm
with a little firmer grip
I’ll get you there.
Perhaps you heard the good news the Mars rover before
it died
detected light snow falling at the Mars north pole.
Sunday night I ran into an old friend, who
stepped down
from his day job even longer ago than I he said someone jumpy
about retiring
asked him what he most looked forward to every day That’s easy,
Waking up.
In Monday’s mail, a
beguiling photo
of a couple we know parasols unfurled handsomely dressed
kissing
inviting us to celebrate with them their excitement at
getting married
as they close in on their 10th decade.
Rahm Emanuel spoke for me when he counseled never to waste
a crisis
I have discovered the day I open my monthly money statement I can
skip
my Metamucil.
Mr. Son, clock genius without peer returned my
19th century French repeater carriage clock
he has been agonizing over for 5 years
Works perfect now, he boasted Kept perfect time in my shop all summer
I hate that damn thing but it love me more
than you You take it home if it doesn’t work you need exorcism
and indeed the poltergeist seem to have been cleared all except the
strike
chiming the previous hour rather than
simply once which, Son and I agree is
rather charming.
This morning at 6:30 a big ruckus on the beach 20 swarthy young men
in a circle, one blindfolded within the circle 10 young women in
head scarves
standing aside men shouting and clapping as blindfolded one
staggers around seeming to obey directions avoiding knocking over
Styrofoam cups
What’s this? UCSD Islamist Student Society one explains Some sinister
initiation? not exactly. Students have bad habit of sleeping late maybe
until 11am so we get everyone up to come play games on the beach What about the woman? Lacey asks, They don’t get to play? Oh yes, they got here even earlier and have finished.
This is Faye Avenue
Leslie announced when we reached the corner
The museum is just - she pointed her cane - one block
that way.
