The narrator blames the birds. And you want to blame the birds as well. I blamed the birds for a long time. But in this story everyone is hungry, even the birds. And at this point in the story so many things have gone wrong, so many bad decisions made, that itโs a wonder anyone would want to continue reading.
Richard SikenKnot the tie and go to work, unknot the tie and go to sleep. I sleep. I dream. I wake. I sing. I get out the hammer and start knocking in the wooden pegs that affix the meaning to the landscape, the inner life to the body, the names to the things. I float too much to wander, like you, in the real world. I envy it but thatโs the dealioโyouโre a train and Iโm a trainstation and when I try to guess your trajectory I end up telling my own story.
Richard SikenWe can do anything. Itโs not because our hearts are large, theyโre not, itโs what we struggle with. The attempt to say Come over. Bring your friends. Itโs a potluck, Iโm making pork chops, Iโm making those long noodles you love so much.
Richard SikenThis is where the evening splits in half, Henry, love or death. Grab an end, pull hard, and make a wish.
Richard Siken