imaginary animals (Kafka studied by Borges)

Kafka and Borges. Two twisters of imagination. One has questioned the very existence of any being by destroying the inner composure of existence. And in doing so didn’t even bother to twist and break the physical syntax of a human body. On the other side Borges has never even thought of not twisting and breaking the syntax of a human mind, drawing stealthily to the labyrinthine web of mind where nothing seems to find any orientation even though there are orientation pegs put in distances but probably those have other meanings. And at the end you find you have not seen what you needed to see. You saw things which you never saw coming. You got twisted on our own toes; you lose sight of your episteme.

Imaginations. That is what is in business here. But I am not even qualified to talk about these two great writers. What I like to say here in a totally matter of fact tone is that there is a great book by Borges claiming as “the Book of Imaginary Beings”. (Perhaps another example of him living in his own dream of “Circular Ruins”) in this book he has gathered the most bizarre animals he has seen in his literary journey. And he has stopped to Kafka three times to collect his “Imaginary Beings”. As I have enjoyed the book so much, thought of why not share those animals with others who have no idea that they exists.

An Animal dreamed by Kafka

It is the animal with the big tail, a tail many wards long and like fox’s brush. How I should like to get my hand on this tail some time, but it is impossible, the animal is constantly moving about, the tail is constantly being flung this way and that. The animal resembles a kangaroo, but not as to the face, which is flat almost like a human face, and small and oval; only its teeth have any power of expression, whether they are concealed or bared. Sometimes I have the feeling that the animal is trying to tame me. What other purpose could it have in withdrawing its tail when I snatch at it, and then again, waiting calmly until I am tempted again, and then leaping away once more?

                                             Kafka, Hochzeitsvorbereitungen auf deem landed

 A crossbreed by Kafka

I have a curious animal, half cat, half lamb. It is a legacy from my father. But it only developed in my time; formerly it was far more lamb than cat. Now it is both in about equal parts. From the cat it takes its head and claws, from the lamb its size shape; from both its eyes, which are wild and changing, its hair, which is soft, lying close to the body, its movements, which partake both of skipping and slinking.

Oradea by Kafka

“Well whets your name? you ask him.”odradek, he says “and, where do you live?”” no fixed abode.” He says and laughs.