A DAY IN THE LIFE OF R.W.

The passion to serve. To be another. To disrespect the first-comer. To reach no conclusion. To dig up the garden. To sort peas, spin thread, put together paper bags. To make one or two resolutions. To postpone leaving until the next day. The same love for the provisional as for the eternal. To follow the course of clouds across the window, a blade of grass in the mouth. That stubborn spike of hair. To rush the decision. General incomprehension is your freedom. Don't make it a habit. An end without a story, long prepared. I bequeath you my hat.


ABSCHIED

Wrapped securely in a wool scarf. Greetings made all around. Breath standing out in a cloud. Snow crunching underfoot. Few obstacles today, not much held back. The high sky crossed, left to right, by a crow.

A resolution. Fists clenched in pockets. Follow the slope, deviating slightly from the path. Cold air pulled deep into the lungs. A sort of asymptote.


EXERCISES

To savor thrift, to require indulgence, and bread for the ducks at the lake. To elaborate scenarios while out walking, a little drunk with the walk and with the elaborated scenes. To say three times: not bland, not bland, not bland, varying the intonation and the stress. To restrict the field, polish the small form, to be blunt along with caprice. To age gently when approaching a child.


PROPOSITIONS

A verb followed by an object is a proposition. There are innumberable available at each instant. It's hard to choose among them. Suddenly, sometimes, the propositions fade away and leave you in peace.


For the original French version of Frémon's Herisau, click here.