EYES

EYES

The crows were making so much noise I almost didn’t hear the telephone ringing. Picked it up, it was my grandson Joe. I always pick up when he calls. He was worried because I was hoarse but I told him it was nothing. I always sound like this in winter. I sent love to his family, then I went to the door and cawed twice and the crows all got quiet. Usually there’s  a pause and then they are back at it. I have a frog in my throat and it must have lent some serious authority to my caw, because they are still quiet. Minutes go by. My god, what did I say?

 I had been making the very simple face of a young boy when terrible news came on the radio. War. His eyes were just dents, no lids, no iris, his cheeks are hollows from pressing my index finger into the clay. I hadn’t learned yet how to make eyes. He has a round face and his mouth is open. Reminded me that “stare” and “starve” come from the same Indo-European root. Fitting. The staring eyes of a starving child.

     Then there was more terrible news, a lot of gunfire, and I turned off the radio. Quickly found a pencil to make pupils on the little boy. I want him safe. He needs to see.

After that hasty fix, I messed around with my fingernails to make better eyelids, lifting a tiny semi-circle of clay to make the upper lid, which was the key. Next  I discovered that if I roll two little bits of clay, and droop them over where the eyes will go, they became eyelids. Then I make two little balls and push them under the lids. Then I push the lids partly over the little balls. They look really good, cool heavy-lidded eyes. Now everyone looks alive, although a bit sleepy. I made one I just love this afternoon. I look at him all the time

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