Page 10 - Contrast1997
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Thoughts of Ariel
Joy Hoffman
We knew the first time we saw Ariel that he Whenever Ariel tried
wasn't human. He was only "he" as a matter to think--I mean,
of convenience; no one really knew or cared really tried;
to ask what gender Ariel really was. I think instinct-shattering
that everyone assumed that I knew, but no one rational transfiguring
asked me. They had stopped asking me ques- thinking--colors
tions a while before ...about the year that Puck would ooze
arrived. That poor little fellow was half- out of his head.
drowned and sea-green when he washed up'.
All sorts of sea-tossed folks straggled there: magic or wisdom or truth... His voice was
to the Island; it was like some sort of refuge marvelous beautiful. Hearing him, we all
for the homeless - but not just for the ones knew that he was not one of us, not human.
who were without a place, for those who were
without a time ... None of us - not even 1- But for the rest of his stay, Ariel tried to con-
knew how long the Island had been there, or vince us that he was.
what its name was. Somehow, I knew that
the Island indeed had a name; it called to me Even Ferdinand didn't fall for it. Ferdinand
sometimes, at night in dreamings. I don't was a sweet man; I miss him sometimes. He
know if anyone else felt it; I don't even really was the most gullible person I have ever en-
remember when I first felt it. I only remember countered; I think the sea-spray washed his
- and I still remember it, to this time in my brain clean as a baby's. He always used to
life - that the Island-name would sing word- call me Miranda; I couldn't fathom it.
lessly to me in my sleep, and I would wake Miranda is not my name. But then, no one on
up happy. I vaguely remember a time when I the Island ever called me by my name - I
was alone on the Island, before the first tem- don't think any of them really knew it. Or
pest drove the people there ... But that was so cared. Salty sea-green Puck always called me
long ago; and I do not remember a time be- Titania; I think that one was my favorite. I
fore then, although I do not think I was born had forgotten my real name.
there. I can only assume that I drifted there,
like the rest, soaked with sea-water and drip- I think Ariel knew it, but he never told me.
ping with brine ... Sometimes the first noises If he had been human, maybe he would have.
of the morning sea reminded me of something But faerie-spirit music danced in his smile, in
- original-echoes ... perhaps of my arrival at his sea-change eyes. It made me laugh, even
the island. if I woke up no more edified than from an Is-
land-name dream. Ariel thought in colors.
But Ariel came to the Island unlike anyone Perhaps that is what really tipped Ferdie off
I had ever seen; and we knew he was not hu- - to Ariel's not being human, I mean. When-
man. He floated to us over the water, like ever Ariel tried to think - I mean, really tried;
some sort of mythical miracle. And when we instinct-shattering rational transfiguring
heard him speak... I felt like falling to the
ground in awe, but I did not know why.
Ariel's voice is like music -like hearing all
the world wound around a center core of
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