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By Root 821 0

& the meat is in the pot just add water at eleven everything in one breath to prevent me from raising an objection but I say nothing & don’t bat an eyelid & I await my opportunity until they’re well & gone. Put on my walking shoes & take the high road through the Boesmanskloof to the forest because I knew then she would take the easy road lower down with Jakkie even though it’s longer. Estimated their pace accurately & lay in wait for them & when they had passed followed them to where A. decided to wait. A little clearing not far from where she & I that time sat for a whole week’s mornings & then I had to creep up very slowly to get a good view but without their noticing me. A. I know can hear a ghost walking.

So there she takes out the bananas from her apron pocket & a small bottle full of rum probably about five tablespoons & two paint-tin lids & a fork. Mash, she says to Jakkie. He likes little goblins like you to mix his food & Jakkie presses with the fork & she holds his hand so that he can get it fine enough. Then a few drops of rum with it on each lid. Here taste she says to Jakkie he spits sis yuck. I’m glad says A. he’s not here yet to hear you spitting because for him it’s food for a king the more stinky the better & he’s the emperor & she puts the lids in spots of sun so that the bananas can ferment.

Could get the smell from where I was sitting behind the trunk next to the rock fig. Then they waited & I waited. Half an hour later an hour so that my legs started cramping but I couldn’t budge so dead quiet was it only a kokkewiet calling.

But when is he coming? asked Jakkie. Be quiet you’ll hear him approaching up high there in the leaves said A. I could see Jakkie was getting restless. What do you think we’re waiting for? asked A. For the emperor of course said Jakkie what does he look like? Black like the dark moon from outside said A. but all blue November-sky from the inside no not powder-blue rather wet-blue silvery & when he unfolds himself you look into the eye. What eye? Jakkie asked & he blink-blinked his eyes at A. No, it doesn’t work like that she said. He folds open his wings & it’s the Eye of Everything. But when they’re closed, there’s nothing. Like hip up hop down? asked Jakkie. Yes, just like a fire like great love it’s all & it’s nothing & your soul perishes in the flames but the story is told from generation to generation. Shhht I can hear him! He’s coming!

Had heard the fluttering earlier. Always thought it was the forest thrush.

Close your eyes said A. to Jakkie. Bring him nearer with your will.

So there we sit the three of us with closed eyes & I add my will to theirs to make a miracle happen & there it happens!

The first thing I see when I open my eyes is Jakkie’s face with a shiny spot reflecting from the lid onto him. But it’s not only shiny it’s blue as if a little window has opened on his forehead. There the butterfly is poised on the shiny lid & eats banana with its wings spread wide so that the one side shows blue. Apatura iris the giant purple emperor butterfly. There the two of them sit with the sun on their heads & the blue reflection leaps from Jakkie’s forehead to A.’s cap & the butterfly opens & closes its wings & it flies away a hip hop jewel & then it descends again for more. Between the lids he to-&-fros. The span of its wings greater than you can imagine. As large as two open hands with crossed thumbs. Nymphalidae the family of the carrion eaters.

11 November 1965

They still haven’t told me. Jak asks at breakfast this morning so what secret have the three of you got now do tell me too? Then I see A. looking at me from where she is bringing Jakkie his porridge but I pretended not to know anything & I ask: What did you see yesterday in the Keurtjiekloof? He puts his finger in front of his mouth & gives A. a secret look & says riddle me ree the night is black & the day is blue & the soul is closed at first & then folded open what is it? Eat your porridge says A. with a straight face & I see she hu-uhs at him with her eyes not to let out