WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:00.780 align:middle line:90% 00:00:00.780 --> 00:00:04.830 align:middle line:84% This one is called "Deep Revision." 00:00:04.830 --> 00:00:06.870 align:middle line:84% There's a beach we go to in Rhode Island. 00:00:06.870 --> 00:00:10.860 align:middle line:84% And we go in the summer, as people usually do. 00:00:10.860 --> 00:00:12.980 align:middle line:84% I like going in the winter when nobody's there, 00:00:12.980 --> 00:00:16.350 align:middle line:90% but I don't like the beach. 00:00:16.350 --> 00:00:18.570 align:middle line:84% But when nobody's there, I like it. 00:00:18.570 --> 00:00:20.850 align:middle line:90% But it's cold in winter. 00:00:20.850 --> 00:00:21.960 align:middle line:90% Anyway, it's worth it. 00:00:21.960 --> 00:00:25.020 align:middle line:90% But "Deep Revision." 00:00:25.020 --> 00:00:27.780 align:middle line:84% "I look up from this unfolded page 00:00:27.780 --> 00:00:30.630 align:middle line:84% I've discovered, for the hand has its memories 00:00:30.630 --> 00:00:33.240 align:middle line:84% in my back pocket, forgotten, only 00:00:33.240 --> 00:00:35.160 align:middle line:90% to find that you were gone. 00:00:35.160 --> 00:00:37.740 align:middle line:84% After some more time has passed, time 00:00:37.740 --> 00:00:42.330 align:middle line:84% spent decoding its runic, largely illegible messages 00:00:42.330 --> 00:00:45.750 align:middle line:84% meant clearly for these eyes only, surprise, 00:00:45.750 --> 00:00:48.180 align:middle line:90% a pen appears in my hand. 00:00:48.180 --> 00:00:51.000 align:middle line:84% And while I myself might appear to be nothing 00:00:51.000 --> 00:00:56.700 align:middle line:84% but somebody's body hunched down between low, grassy dunes 00:00:56.700 --> 00:01:02.490 align:middle line:84% shielding itself from the cold, I am already traveling back. 00:01:02.490 --> 00:01:03.750 align:middle line:90% I am elsewhere. 00:01:03.750 --> 00:01:06.280 align:middle line:90% Alas, very elsewhere. 00:01:06.280 --> 00:01:07.500 align:middle line:90% Amen. 00:01:07.500 --> 00:01:10.140 align:middle line:84% But when I look up, you're still gone. 00:01:10.140 --> 00:01:12.090 align:middle line:90% And does this put a stop to it? 00:01:12.090 --> 00:01:16.110 align:middle line:84% Whatever it is I am doing wherever I am? 00:01:16.110 --> 00:01:18.060 align:middle line:84% That the thoughtful thing at this point 00:01:18.060 --> 00:01:21.630 align:middle line:84% might be to interrupt my work, my whatever it is I 00:01:21.630 --> 00:01:23.640 align:middle line:84% imagine I've been doing all my life, 00:01:23.640 --> 00:01:25.500 align:middle line:84% and take a walk in search of you. 00:01:25.500 --> 00:01:26.760 align:middle line:90% This occurs to me. 00:01:26.760 --> 00:01:27.570 align:middle line:90% It does. 00:01:27.570 --> 00:01:29.490 align:middle line:90% And do I follow through? 00:01:29.490 --> 00:01:32.790 align:middle line:84% Does he so bestir himself, you may well ask? 00:01:32.790 --> 00:01:36.120 align:middle line:90% Not I. I'm already off again. 00:01:36.120 --> 00:01:38.550 align:middle line:84% A new obstacle having presented itself 00:01:38.550 --> 00:01:43.110 align:middle line:84% in the form of numb fingers requiring a glove. 00:01:43.110 --> 00:01:46.440 align:middle line:84% Then there's somewhat hampered progress once sheathed 00:01:46.440 --> 00:01:48.900 align:middle line:90% in thick, black leather padding. 00:01:48.900 --> 00:01:51.450 align:middle line:84% Not to mention the minds now distracted 00:01:51.450 --> 00:01:53.580 align:middle line:84% by hand's new resemblance to that 00:01:53.580 --> 00:01:56.490 align:middle line:84% of some non-Homo sapiens primates. 00:01:56.490 --> 00:01:58.080 align:middle line:90% A gorilla, say. 00:01:58.080 --> 00:02:02.580 align:middle line:84% One struck by lightning, and weirdly thereafter compelled 00:02:02.580 --> 00:02:05.250 align:middle line:90% to take up composition. 00:02:05.250 --> 00:02:08.759 align:middle line:84% Not of lyrical fragments, let's hope for its sake, 00:02:08.759 --> 00:02:11.940 align:middle line:84% as surely it stands a vastly improved chance 00:02:11.940 --> 00:02:15.960 align:middle line:84% of making a living by authoring a mass market novel. 00:02:15.960 --> 00:02:18.870 align:middle line:84% Perhaps, the ever popular memoir. 00:02:18.870 --> 00:02:22.740 align:middle line:84% In its case, one bound for best-sellerdom, clearly. 00:02:22.740 --> 00:02:25.860 align:middle line:84% I look up, and still you are nowhere to be seen. 00:02:25.860 --> 00:02:30.360 align:middle line:84% Still unfound, leaving me bereft of any company 00:02:30.360 --> 00:02:33.810 align:middle line:84% but that of low-grade terror in the guise of the winter 00:02:33.810 --> 00:02:34.800 align:middle line:90% Atlantic. 00:02:34.800 --> 00:02:39.000 align:middle line:84% That wind blown, dark emerald, and seemingly infinite 00:02:39.000 --> 00:02:44.430 align:middle line:84% plane upon whose horizon we one day so long 00:02:44.430 --> 00:02:47.310 align:middle line:84% ago in our frail craft first appeared. 00:02:47.310 --> 00:02:51.300 align:middle line:84% God forgive us, the battered catastronauts. 00:02:51.300 --> 00:02:53.580 align:middle line:84% Though to look on the bright side, 00:02:53.580 --> 00:02:56.100 align:middle line:84% so too did the disgruntled Jefferson. 00:02:56.100 --> 00:03:01.170 align:middle line:84% No doubt doubly disgruntled now on his way back from France. 00:03:01.170 --> 00:03:06.360 align:middle line:84% Illustrious runner up for best failed and betrayed revolution. 00:03:06.360 --> 00:03:10.380 align:middle line:84% I can almost see his still far away sail, wind 00:03:10.380 --> 00:03:13.800 align:middle line:84% suddenly tearing the page from my fingers. 00:03:13.800 --> 00:03:14.670 align:middle line:90% Goodbye. 00:03:14.670 --> 00:03:16.530 align:middle line:90% Goodbye, lousy page. 00:03:16.530 --> 00:03:17.970 align:middle line:90% Childless kite. 00:03:17.970 --> 00:03:21.720 align:middle line:84% White shirt left on shore by the swimmer who 00:03:21.720 --> 00:03:24.330 align:middle line:90% will not be needing it anymore. 00:03:24.330 --> 00:03:27.600 align:middle line:84% The overarching dilemma remains, increasingly 00:03:27.600 --> 00:03:30.480 align:middle line:84% remains as the early dark deepens. 00:03:30.480 --> 00:03:31.980 align:middle line:90% No, you. 00:03:31.980 --> 00:03:34.290 align:middle line:90% I am ready to confess now. 00:03:34.290 --> 00:03:36.240 align:middle line:90% It is beginning to get to me. 00:03:36.240 --> 00:03:41.010 align:middle line:84% And by way of emphasis, I am fully prepared 00:03:41.010 --> 00:03:45.450 align:middle line:84% to stand up here before the first merciless stars 00:03:45.450 --> 00:03:49.980 align:middle line:84% in silent beseeching to look up and down, look both ways, 00:03:49.980 --> 00:03:53.610 align:middle line:84% to call out if need be, which way have you gone? 00:03:53.610 --> 00:03:58.470 align:middle line:84% This winter beach, this narrow desert, it isn't all that long. 00:03:58.470 --> 00:04:00.100 align:middle line:90% What is wrong with me? 00:04:00.100 --> 00:04:02.520 align:middle line:84% How could I have lost track of you? 00:04:02.520 --> 00:04:06.570 align:middle line:84% I know it was just a little walk you went on, tactfully allowing 00:04:06.570 --> 00:04:08.550 align:middle line:90% me to concentrate, I guess. 00:04:08.550 --> 00:04:10.800 align:middle line:84% And I am concentrating, all right. 00:04:10.800 --> 00:04:15.060 align:middle line:84% My mind filled to the exclusion of all else 00:04:15.060 --> 00:04:17.490 align:middle line:90% by a small, evil voice. 00:04:17.490 --> 00:04:19.050 align:middle line:90% Oh, see her walk. 00:04:19.050 --> 00:04:22.110 align:middle line:90% Whitely walking on the waves. 00:04:22.110 --> 00:04:24.220 align:middle line:90% And this is all bullshit. 00:04:24.220 --> 00:04:25.530 align:middle line:90% I don't even want to work. 00:04:25.530 --> 00:04:27.610 align:middle line:90% I am sick to death. 00:04:27.610 --> 00:04:29.970 align:middle line:84% I don't want to write anything ever. 00:04:29.970 --> 00:04:31.190 align:middle line:90% I just want you." 00:04:31.190 --> 00:04:34.790 align:middle line:90% 00:04:34.790 --> 00:04:35.390 align:middle line:90% Thank you. 00:04:35.390 --> 00:04:36.890 align:middle line:90% [APPLAUSE] 00:04:36.890 --> 00:04:40.190 align:middle line:90% 00:04:40.190 --> 00:04:42.040 align:middle line:90% Thank you.