Questions in the shade

the joint-venture of profecy and interpretation, dogma has it that questions reside in the shade.

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"thus spake herlindo the holy guru of antioch: 'lo (ok?) and behold, see you not the shadow of the question-mark and the fashion in which it covers the sun?'."

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centuries down the line, ed velhinho the zenith of hermeneutics announced 'eureka, questions are in the shade'. at present, junior and less inspired scholars, eager of fame and fortune, quarrel in two camps of further interpretation. 'questions melt', say some. 'questions have sensitive skin, possibly freckles', contend the others.

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'questions are in the shade'. and yet, one look through the window will reveal the city lamps all ablaze in broad daylight. and the first warm light of the month too. in the fleeting shade of a passing cloud, irreverent spirits demand justification. '1984 is past and long gone, is it the intention of the authorities to dissipate shade? to dissipate questions? to dissipate opposition? what is in sto' (interruption as sunlight returns, but presently a new cloud appears) 're for us the people? what dark business is at hand? how much does a litre of extra virgin olive oil go for these days? who is responsible for this outrageous waste of energy, and what about the ozone layer? how do i look? is this real silk or are'

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and instantly summer arrives solid (if brief), no clouds in sight and the lamps all shining, and like a herd the populace moves to the seashore, unquestioning of the blackness of the sand, the propriety of topless, the concrete on the dunes, the price of icecream, the ridicule of many a bikini blockprinted with orange flowers and bright green hummingbirds on an acid yellow background.