Four Hundred and Seventy-Three Steps

Henry is blind, so his testimony is invalid. Lydia’s sister is dead, so her petition is invalid. Together, they go looking for a department that is always “next door.” On Friday, they’re told it’s “appointment only.” After making an appointment, they’re told “you must appear in person.” When they arrive in person, they’re told “you don’t belong here.” They know the answer. The answer is a wall. But they keep asking. That’s all there is. A person knows the world is silent, yet still speaks. A person knows the rock will roll back down, yet still pushes it uphill. A person knows they cannot see, yet still walks into the fog. This isn’t despair. It’s lucidity. Knowing clearly that there is no hope, and deciding to keep going anyway. One must imagine Sisyphus happy! The tragedy is Oedipus, who gouges out his eyes even after learning the truth. Henry was blind already. He knew the truth long ago. Still, he keeps walking all 473 steps.