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Show PAGE 9 THE ZEPHYR JUNE 89 . Instead of sitting across the booth, he sat down beside me, his large weathered hands splayed against the table. He said nothing. Neither one of us spoke. I drank water. Kao, one of the waitresses, brought out my sandwich, mushrooms and milkshake. "Mushrooms? he Inquired. "Yes," I answered. "They're breaded, very good. I offered him some. Thank you. I usually eat them straight We paused. He continued. The last time I ate mushrooms, the world caught Are. The " redrocks burst Into flames, grew wings, and flew away " I "I didnt hear about that replied. "Thats because I didnt tell anyone, he answered. "Best to keep those secrets to yourself. "Of course, I nodded. His corn dogs arrived. "So what do you do?" I asked this mysterious traveler. "Oh, Im a farmer from way back. Now days, I make my living as a musician. A gig here or there It keeps me going. Last week I played at Mexican Hat. "And yoiir name? He smiled. "You can call me, Koko I turned towards him, suddenly the pieces of this puzzle began to fit together. "As In Kokopelli? I grinned. His smile broadened as he brought his hands down to his lap. "Ive heard about you, only I didnt recognize you without your hump "I had It taken off In Los "Plastic surgery, .. he replied. Angeles. I couldnt carry the burden any longer. Besides, theres not much demand for seeds anymore. He finished his third com dog. His tongue circled his Ups. I asked. "No more fertility rites? "No more Impregnating young women? No more fields of corn? He looked down at his hands, turned them to open, palms. "Fertile fields, fertile bodies, fertile minds. It's all the same I still carry the seeds In my mind. thing. He stared out the window at midday traffic, then abruptly turned to me. "When was the last time you danced under moonlight to the wild meanderlngs of flute music? , My eyes flashed down to my paper plate. I changed the subject "So what really happened to the Ansazi? i . a . . . ; i - - ' . ' ju--r. V f v Plain and simple. Their fields dried up, the- yforgot their stories, who to thank and who to fear. I keep looking I find their for them, but they , have disguised themselves. remnants. I find clues, which is why I'm on the road and have been Im a stranger In a foreign country. for years "Youve seen a lot of changes? I asked. like the moon, "Some things change and some things do not like the sun and the way rain foils In the desert He paused to finish his fourth com dog, after which he placed the four sticks In a star configuration. ' "Shoes have Improved, thats about It Kokopelli pulled off the velcro strap on his red Tevas and fastened it back again. "I love that sound, It puts off rattlesnakes for miles. I reached the bottom of my blackberry milkshake without grace. "Will you walk with me? he asked.. "Ive got my eyes set on He pulled, out his flute and began polishing It Tukuhniklvats. with his red bandanna. lfs a full moon tonight, he said, his green eyes nurturing mine. "So It Is " I replied coyly. "Dont go whispered Carl behind the counter. "Never trust man corn a who orders dogs "Will you join me? he asked. "I once heard a ravens song that carried all the way from the La Sals to the Henirys. Perhaps I can even show you the place where the world caught fire, grew wings, and vanished. I folded my napkin, took hold of his hand and said simply, "Yes. Ill go with you, but on one condition. Well get your hump It with seeds, and plant corn. fill back, He slowly raised his flute to his mouth, I handed my car keys to Carl, and we walked out of the Main Street Broiler together. "They left at the Utah Terry Tempest Williams Is NaturaNst-ln-ResIden- ce Museum of. Natural History. Her book, Pieces of White Shell - A Joumev To Navaloland. received a Southwest Book Award. Collaborating with photographer John Telford, her most recent work Covote's Canyon has just been published by Peregrine Smith Books. Now, If Terry can only remember where she parked her car. ' ' ' TAG-A-LON- G Retail Tag-A-Lo- ng Great Selection of Panama Hats For ail the Sunny Moments - not to mention -- T-Shi- rts, Visors, Neckz, Glasses Straps, Sport Pouches, Gurkee Sandals, Style Eyes Sunglasses, Bandanas and Much More... Travel Tag-A-Lo- ng Your Moab Host For Tours Single & Multi-Da- y Rafting on the Green and Colorado Rivers Kayaking the Green River Driving in Canyonlands N.P. 4-Wh- eel mention this ad and receive a 10 discount Adventure. on your next Tag-A-Lo- ng 452 NORTH MAIN ST. MOAB, UTAH 84532 6 (801) 259-894- outside Utah -- |