Warriors' Notes for July 1997 ~ Experiences and Thoughts: Page 13 ~ [ July Index | Previous Article ] Subject:    Yin From:       adaa@coatepec.uaemex.mx To:            ixtlan@mystery.com Date:        Sun, 27 Jul 97 22:50:14 -0400 Alexander Alekhine challenged J. Raul Capablanca for the World Chess Title around the thirties' decade. He was an eccentric Russian, a top chess player who once went to an international tournament without his passport. When asked for it at the customs, he replied something like: "I'm Alexander Alekhine, the chess player. I don't need a passport. I have a cat named Chess!" And the issue had to be solved by the highest diplomatic authorities. I also lived with a cat named "Chess." I didn't give him this name.                                                 *                         *                         * Now, J.R. Capablanca was a true phenomenon, perhaps the most talented recorded player of all times. He learned to play at the age of four, just by watching his father play a game. And he defeated him just after this game, so goes the legend. He once managed to hold a string of ten years undefeated, against the best players in the world, who complained with phrases such as: "He makes us all look like amateurs." The odds against the hard-working, obsessive Alekhine were overwhelming. He was boarding a ship for Buenos Aires, where the Championship would take place, when a reporter asked him for his pronostic of the outcome. The match would be won by the first man to obtain six victories. Alekhine replied:   "I don't know how I'm going to win six games against Capablanca... But I don't know either how he's going to win six games against me." This is it. Freedom is so elusive. It's practically impossible to achieve it. Only the most daring, imaginative, fierce men and women can attain such a feat. I don't know how I'm going to fly into total freedom... But I don't know how anything could possibly stop me from doing it. Alekhine won six games and became the Chess Champion of the World. Freedom, victory, is right here, right now.                                                 *                         *                         * And after Chess the cat, years later, came Yin the cat. I once told you a story about her, but I think I'll tell it again. We were going to see a movie. She was outside the theatre, all curled up and meowing incesantly. She was about five inches long. A girl took her in her arms, and we figured she would go with her. We had some dinner and then went in to watch the movie. To our surprise, she was still there when we came out. Still curled up and meowing philosophically. I took her home. I remember once, when an associate of mine and I were silent, feeling the warm caress of intent. We had been struggling long and hard, and were rewarded with a few seconds of inner silence. I took her hand and we just lied there, on the bed, looking into each other's eyes. Then came Yin and put her paw on our hands. We offered her out loud to intent. And another day, when Yin came to doze with me in the afternoon. She put her forehead against mine and began purring. And I dreamt her dream. She was running in the backyard, amidst the wild plants that grew there. Their big leaves rustled softly above her head with the sound of a warm rain. She was stalking, jumping, eluding imaginary dangers, hunting. She was alert, alive. She was happy of being a cat, of breathing, of listening to the rain and smelling the fragrance of the humid leaves. She was complete, like a child. I told her I wouldn't leave her behind. It is raining softly outside my room right now. It is exactly the same sound. Remember, Yin? Remember...                                                 *                         *                         * Yin died last week, while giving birth. I have to say good bye now and let her go. Only thus will I be able to not leave her behind. Somewhere, somehow, in that infinite out there. Where the rain is born. How am I ever going to get there? I don't know. But, what's going to stop me? I don't know that either. Good bye, Yin. Thank you for your dream. Hello, Yin. Good night to you all, my dear fellow travelers. Enrique. [ July Index | Previous Article ]