WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:01.010 align:middle line:90% 00:00:01.010 --> 00:00:07.410 align:middle line:90% 21 August 71 Indian. 00:00:07.410 --> 00:00:11.490 align:middle line:84% Building the fire using shavings I made this afternoon 00:00:11.490 --> 00:00:14.040 align:middle line:84% as I attempted a sculpture, a bird 00:00:14.040 --> 00:00:17.760 align:middle line:84% or the wisp of high thin cloud in fall 00:00:17.760 --> 00:00:20.580 align:middle line:84% from a length of curved white pine. 00:00:20.580 --> 00:00:22.770 align:middle line:90% The fire is slow to catch. 00:00:22.770 --> 00:00:25.380 align:middle line:84% Wood is damp, but it begins to start 00:00:25.380 --> 00:00:28.200 align:middle line:84% and I throw on the larger pieces. 00:00:28.200 --> 00:00:31.260 align:middle line:84% An old girlfriend came by a while ago, fat 00:00:31.260 --> 00:00:35.580 align:middle line:84% and getting older wearing wide dark shades. 00:00:35.580 --> 00:00:38.460 align:middle line:90% She held a fat and healthy baby. 00:00:38.460 --> 00:00:41.940 align:middle line:84% I was making tortillas then, flour on my hands, 00:00:41.940 --> 00:00:44.070 align:middle line:90% rolling dough out on a board-- 00:00:44.070 --> 00:00:46.410 align:middle line:84% on a board with a tall drinking glass. 00:00:46.410 --> 00:00:49.950 align:middle line:84% She didn't say anything as her husband and I talked. 00:00:49.950 --> 00:00:52.770 align:middle line:84% I was glad she didn't ask why I was not 00:00:52.770 --> 00:00:55.830 align:middle line:90% a lawyer, or an engineer. 00:00:55.830 --> 00:00:59.760 align:middle line:84% Fire burns the thin shavings quickly and soon dies down 00:00:59.760 --> 00:01:01.440 align:middle line:90% under larger pieces. 00:01:01.440 --> 00:01:03.000 align:middle line:90% The red coals are weak. 00:01:03.000 --> 00:01:07.110 align:middle line:84% I have to watch and put smaller pieces on next time. 00:01:07.110 --> 00:01:09.870 align:middle line:84% Get knife and splinter larger into smaller 00:01:09.870 --> 00:01:12.390 align:middle line:84% and feed the coals being patient. 00:01:12.390 --> 00:01:14.580 align:middle line:84% We'll have a late supper tonight. 00:01:14.580 --> 00:01:17.370 align:middle line:84% Maybe the clouds will part some by then 00:01:17.370 --> 00:01:20.010 align:middle line:90% and let me see some stars. 00:01:20.010 --> 00:01:22.800 align:middle line:84% It's been years since I told her then 00:01:22.800 --> 00:01:26.850 align:middle line:84% of the things I was discovering about myself. 00:01:26.850 --> 00:01:29.850 align:middle line:84% I took long evening walks then and listened 00:01:29.850 --> 00:01:34.000 align:middle line:84% to the sounds of rivers and she would come looking for me. 00:01:34.000 --> 00:01:36.720 align:middle line:84% She never knew I don't think until today 00:01:36.720 --> 00:01:39.120 align:middle line:84% that I could make tortillas, that I've 00:01:39.120 --> 00:01:45.210 align:middle line:84% learned to survive this way over a fire for my loan supper. 00:01:45.210 --> 00:01:47.370 align:middle line:90% Fire burns good now. 00:01:47.370 --> 00:01:51.390 align:middle line:84% Good red coals will get the beans and tortillas 00:01:51.390 --> 00:01:54.060 align:middle line:90% to warm over the glowing coals. 00:01:54.060 --> 00:01:56.850 align:middle line:84% I will have purple plums for dessert. 00:01:56.850 --> 00:02:00.990 align:middle line:84% I am able to see some stars now too. 00:02:00.990 --> 00:02:05.940 align:middle line:84% I don't think I'll ever be an engineer or at least even 00:02:05.940 --> 00:02:08.240 align:middle line:90% a poverty lawyer.