L'aura del Campo

Enter the void

Enter the void

         for Nora

My first thought: coffee! The dawn had not crept into my window yet because it hadn't had it's coffee.

I stood there pouring hot water over my Kanya AA grounds ignoring the overflow cup, staring at—nothing. I went to the window and opened it. Still nothing. I stood there mouth open and mute. No words came forth to describe the absence of sunlight beaming down on my hummingbirds flitting among the cardinal flowers. Where was my trellis; where was the gate to the yard. The silence pierced my thoughts until it was interrupted by a dark wetness reaching my toes.

I boiled more water; ground up more beans; refused to turn around.

I focused on the smooth Formica counter, the woodsy smell of African beans, listen to the clock tick away the solidness of my sanity. It was 8:04.

I closed my eyes. Opened them long enough to walk my coffee to my favorite chair, sank down into its warmth and closed my eyes once more. I slowly guiding the liquid of life to my lips.

And nearly spilled it when Cutesy jumped into my lap. I sipped, breathing in and out to her purr. The cat curled up acting as if everything was normal. All was right with her world. I pressed my hips deep into the blue velvet.

I sat there until I could count every dot flashing behind my eyelids. Opened them and peered at the clock. 9:15.

I heard a rustling at my door. My perky neighbor who lived in a closet across the hall, drapes always closed, smiled and greeted me.

—It's supposed to be too nice a day to be stuck inside. What are your plans?

I was dumbstruck.

—I need another coffee... too early to think, I mumbled.

—Oh... no problem, you sit down and I'll make you one. You look like you didn't get any sleep. You alright, Hon?

—Nooo... I kept dreaming of what to say to Larry... when... if... ... I haven't finished my script as I promised.

—Well. You have all afternoon and tonight to work on it! Fresh air will do you some good. Let's go to the park. The exterminators are coming tomorrow and I see thy have the black plastic up on your side of the building already. ... You okay?

—I forgot.. I forgot they were coming...

—Well, put on some clothes and let's go. Here, drink this first. I put sugar in it. Looks like you need a boost.

I took one look at the black window and hurried to get dressed. I grabbed my sunhat and glasses ready for a sunny Summer day. We met in the hall and my neighbor bounced while I staggered down the stairs to open the door.

I stepped into the void without looking.

I could hear my friends voice.

—Alright... okay... what were you supposed to write about for Larry... ...

—Today, I sighed. It won't exist until I do.

© Kåre Enga [30.August.2016 Missoula Public Library]

In response to a prompt about the "void" and Nora's writing about the Creator being created by her Creation.

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