Chapters (57)

and yells and lows and lowers its antlers

it has a yellow whistle to attract attention

What I’m picking up when I’m out and about

Aristotle said that women shouldn’t be allowed to drive

cars. I think the jury’s still out on that one. He also said

that we should look both ways before we cross the road,

and I think he was probably right about that.

Ursula Bethell and some of the other young people

reckoned I should give it a shot so I thought I might try

writing a poem or two but well it’s harder than it looks.

Sappho, she’s about my age but she’s all talk that one. Too

much this, too much that.

Aesop still going on about his fables. They get paid for

this stuff.

I suppose those flying carpets really existed. They always

look a bit uncomfortable to me though I’ve never heard

anyone complaining. Aladdin went for a ride on one and

I was a bit worried there for a while.

Of course Pluto’s a planet. People live there. For god’s

sake let’s just try to be sensible why can’t you.56

You don’t see pikelets around much these days. I’ve

always liked a good pikelet.

Anyway Callimachus what kind of a name is that.

Weather

Well the house was blown away in ten seconds flat

which is a New Zealand record

which you don’t want too many of them

do you

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You can ask me anything

said the man made of metal.

His face was a shining void.

I am here to tell you what you need.

No legs supplied – he was

an awkward, rolling thing–

so I lifted him up to his stand.

At least now he would see the world,

the clouds and trees,

the highway off under the hills.

No arms either, so he could never clasp me.

The first thing he asked

was the names of my children.

He can still pronounce them perfectly.

Most of the time he is patient.

He says: This is what I told you would happen.

Surely you see.62

Now do you see?

He tries and tries to guess the name of my mother.

Well I have never told him.

It is not his business.

He says: But you are her offspring.

Are you not?

I have never wanted

to change his default voice.

I love the mild Scottish accent.

I put him out in the yard for a while.

He is warm under the sun,

sometimes even too hot,

but he can ask to come indoors again.

He would be cold, cold,

out at night beneath the moon.

He tells me a story

about a man in a chariot

waving a lasso.63

He is trying to talk about the sun.

This is one of his Functions.

He has a narrative button.

Jesus is there, and Maui –

many gods, confusing.