this is the way it is indeed
thank you for your concern, your many letters. i know that some of you find my capacity to seemingly disappear disturbing. but please know that it is to save you, my loved ones, from seeing me in a disturbed state. only the animals can comfort me then, because they long to learn from me. and so i have spent my months with the bears. we are gentle with each other, but as i depart i fear that they may use what they have learned for evil and not for good. i, archelon, can only do so much, i see that now. more to come, as i return to my memories. i will not fear the drifting.
at last
welcome, madness! i have seen you lurking all these many days of my journey. why not come and sit by the fire? surely you know that i have enough to share with you. but i have to ask - what took you so long? was there traffic?
inspired by the teachings, i have moved on from my place of comfort, in the clearing, amid the creatures i now know so well. if i, archelon myself, walk for many miles, in search of my own bodhi tree (you see, guru, i try my best) i find myself in sand and spray. animals hidden in the darkness of decaying dunes. and here giant crabs crash to the ground around me - once, twice, again - dropped from the mouths of gulls to break open on the rocks. and i must wonder, if perhaps i should not have simply stayed put.
i have been gone for many weeks, my friends, studying with my new guru on his mountain. ah, how well i breathe into life now. would you even recognize me?
the squirrel has come to me again today. i am grateful for the company but tired of his unwavering sense of entitlement. “the revolution continues, Archelon!” he shouts every time he leaves me. i hold my ears. there is no noise more unpleasant than a squirrel shouting.
my loves
Tonto - I miss you, and the many morning hours that we spent locked in our manly embrace, oblivious to the the passage of time, the rain, the wind.Dear Patricia, if you are reading this, know that i think of you as well. I know how jealous you can get - which of course i take as a high complement - but you are very small, and Tonto is large, and therefore easier to remember.
goodnight, creatures
i feel something big rumbling. let us sleep with one eye open to the joys of surprise, and the caution of the lonely fox.
this animal, for example, needs my help. we give each other purpose, little one. i will restore your dignity.
to be directed at insistent impositions
Archelon, myself, woke up skeptical today. I’m afraid that you will have to convince me. I don’t mean to be difficult. But you see I have been directed strictly toward my calling - a kinship with the little animals. If you have a better idea, please share. As I said, I am skeptical.
patina and patricia. how i miss them.
