Notes for a Film — andrew condouris

Remember that the audience is blind;

Don’t talk about what’s invisible. Don’t hint.

For example, the eroticism of a light switch?

Also, the characters must enjoy empty space,

And no one fits there more than the criminal.

Have someone say “Money was invented so we

Don’t have to look each other in the eyes.”

Or something to that effect. Just tell the truth,

But not your version of it. End with animals

Killing each other, or with a stretch of trees

And a winding road, a black car rolling up.

The child asks her mother, “What am I?”

The mother has no answer, and then she asks

“And what am I?” The child answers quickly, softly.

“A heart, of course.” Branches waving

Back and forth; nothing to report except

We are back where we began, the circles

Inside the circles, ankles twisting, forgetting.

Bug floating around the car. Strange-looking thing,

Like a beetle or a moth. Fat. With wings you can't see.

Slips into the child's mouth. She swallows

The whole thing in one gulp. Maybe it's for the best.