James Tate

The Blob

         The blob sat there looking at me.  Finally, I said, “So

who do you think you are?”  It leaned to one side and coughed.

“So why have you come here?” I said.  It stared at me and rumbled

in its throat.  I was certain it could talk.  “Where do you

plan to go when you leave here?” I said.  It tried to walk,

but just rolled around on the floor.  I was getting angry.

“Why do you behave as if you are an idiot when I know you’re not?”

I said.  It was drooling now, and its little red eyes popped

in and out of focus.  “I hate it when you act like that.  I

wish you would talk to me,” I said.  It stopped wobbling

and seemed to look at me.  “Talk to me,” I said.  “I am an old

weathered bag,” it said.  “Bag of what?” I said.  “How could I know

what’s inside.  I have never been there,” it said.  “Alright,

let’s slow down a bit.  What are you looking for?” I said.

“Something to fulfill me,” it said.  “Yes, and what might that

be?” I said.  “How would I know? I’m nearly empty,” it said.

“Maybe you long for a mate,” I said.  “Blurb,” it said.  “You

want a blurb?” I said.  “Blurb blurb,” it said.  “You are sinking

away from me.  I can’t understand you,” I said.  “Blabbykinact,”

it said.  “Why are you talking like this?  I understood you

perfectly well before,” I said.  “And you did nothing for me.

Can’t you see I’m at an end?  It’s just so hard for me to speak,”

it said.  “Hold onto my hand and I will take you into the future,”

I said.  “Bleeblap.  I am sinking.  Can’t you see I am sinking,”

it said.  “Grab a hold now,” I said.  “Zencooyua, farewell,”

it said.

Lost At Sea

         One day I said to the captain, “Do you have any idea where

we are?”  He said, “Of course not.  I haven’t any idea.”  “Then

perhaps we ought to turn back,” I said.  “Back where?  Ever since

I broke my toy compass we’ve been lost.  It’s all the same to me,”

he said.  “Well, we’ve got to do something,” I said.  “I’ll do

anything,” he said.  “Follow a gull,” I said.  “Why would I follow

a gull?” he said.  “Because they fly back to land,” I said.  “Yes,

that’s a good idea,” he said.  But we didn’t see any gulls.  We

were spinning in circles.  “Go in a straight line,” I told him.

“Yes, a straight line.  That’s a good idea,” he said.  We went

in a straight line for a long time.  I was starting to lose hope.

“I feel good about this.  I think we’ll find something soon,”

he said.  “Why?  We could be on our way to Antarctica,” I said.

“You must keep your spirits up.  I think we’re going to be alright,”

he said.  We had some food and drink left, so that was good.  A

storm came on and high waves nearly turned us over.  But then

it was gone and calm waters returned and we sailed on.  I saw

a whale jump and then some dolphins swam by.  Finally, I said,

“I think we’re going to die out here.  There are worse ways to

go, I suppose,” I said.  “We’re not going to die.  I see some-

thing up ahead,” he said.  “Yes, I see something, too.  But what

is it?” I said.  “It could be an island,” the captain said.  “I

don’t think so,” I said.  “Why are you such a pessimist?”

he said.  “Don’t you see?  The whole world is hiding from us.

We’re not a part of anything.  We’re just flotsam,” I said.

“I don’t believe you for one minute.  I don’t know where you get

such ideas,” he said.  “There’s the Statue of Liberty.”  “That’s

a shark and you know it,” I said.