—from Statistical Analysis of Absence Seizure Data, Junichi Yagi

Suddenly: a change in, or loss of, awareness.

Bizarre automatic behavior. Memories.

Illusory experience. Changes in mood.

Clinically termed “a blank stare.” Aimless

movements of the hands. The simple absence

continued, or “absence status,” can be called

a prolonged attack. Minutes, or hours.

May move around in a daze.

May be capable

of answering only

the simplest questions.

More common during intervals of intense hunger.

May be utterly unable to initiate new

activities. Three cycles-per-second spike-and-wave

is characteristic. Any movements are apparently

purposeful. Electroencephalographs can

record the potentials on the skull as the neurons

enter a state

of excessive excitation.

Attacks end quickly.

                                    We can call the processes

renewal processes. Continuing, for instance,

             in an aimless way,

                         to move a pencil

on paper.

Avery Slater (WA)  has published or has work forthcoming in CutBank, The Journal, North American Review, Clackamas Literary Review, and elsewhere. She lives in Seattle.