riddle

             What are snowflakes?

Have to remember it is a riddle

                              he turned it over and over in his mouth Wha are snowflakes  he languished  thinking

Someone else?Anyone else?

he wasnt intimidated

hed answer in time

he heard voices answerdidnt hear the answers   several answered

You. What are snowflakes?

You he meant him

Im thinking

Time for thinking is ove . .

. . Im thinking

voices he hearddidnt hear earlier murmured

Quiet!

        Boy!

What are snowflakes?

Do you need to repeat it again an again so you don forget

Impertinent . .

. . The question is not a riddl . .

. . I said it was.

You arent to say

the voices heard and unheard started  became birdharsh raucous   scolding

AN WHO ARE YOU

the room went still silent not an clingingecho  no one shifted in their seats  no table chair legs scuffed the hardwood floor

       there were breaths  anticipation   anger dislike

he didnt care

Snowflakes are memories

No two alike

An melted  irretrievable  

Unless one is willing to remember

Appear cold  brittle

Are pliant supple as they relax   melt

Memories

1934,  Thursday,  28  4. 22