Delk – Part I.
June 5,
I was young and stupid. But weren’t we all? I was a shy and introverted young man desperately wanting to impress my new friends.
My Cousin Z. is aquainted with a well-known rock star whose name I will not mention. I’ll just say that this individual’s songs have become part of our cultural heritage. If I asked you if you knew the lyrics to his top five hits, you might say no, but if the songs were played on the radio, you could sing along without missing a single word. While his music doesn’t speak to me particularly, I certainly appreciate his great craftmanship, both lyrically and melodically and jumped at the chance to meet him when Z. arrived in town with backstage passes for the big show at the Thunderdome.
After the concert (a wonderful show), when we arrived backstage, the musicians were partaking of a substance I would later learn was called cocaine. We were offered some, but Z. is what the young people call ’straight edge’ and I must admit I’ve never had much interest in narcotics. Z. mentioned that I was a poet and I had a rather enlightening discussion with this musician on Robert Browning, whose work I had never considered significant. He certainly changed my mind!
Then he said something that changed my life forever, although I only realized it recently. He said, “You need to try some delk. It’ll really open your perceptions to the possibilities within the forest of the call of ideas beneath the surface.* You’ll need to follow the instructions precisely, though.” He then rummaged through a pocket in a soft gig bag, pulling out a packet covered in a black silk scarf wrapped in twine. “Take it,” he offered. “But follow the instructions precisely. The elder gods can be a bitch.” Then a trio of the most unpleasant-looking women I’ve seen in my life were ushered in wearing Japanese schoolgirl uniforms.
This was our cue to leave.
More later,
P.
*Actual quote. He was, you will remember, on drugs.
