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,PEOPLE 3 

,AU?OR 3 ,ALAN ,MOORE 

,TEXT 3 

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0,:AT >E Y\ ?9K+ AB\T N[80 ! NAK$ EI<TE5 MON?-OLD GIRL ASKS1 M\NT$ ON ! SIMIL>LY NAK$ OLD MAN'S %\LD]S4 ,9 EA* T9Y FI/ %E HOLDS A LOCK ( HIS :ITE HAIR AS RE9S4 ,HIS LEA!R H&S1 >TICULAT$ BONE & S9EW BIRDCAGES1 >E CLOS$ >\ND ! 9FANT'S ANKLES TO PREV5T H] FALL+ (F AS !Y PROGRESS D[N ! 5ORM\S ICEB\ND HALLWAY UND] DIAGRAMS ( FAIL+ />S4 ,!SE >E ! ,FIMBUL DI/ANCES ( ! TIME-AV5UE4 ,PUZZLE-BALL BEADS ( HYP]WAT]1 FROZ5 9TO GLASS SEA-UR*9 9TRICACIES1 *IME & T9KLE 9 ! DRIFTS AB\T ! WAD+ ANCI5T'S KNEES4 0,I'M ?9K+ N[ ( H[ ,I DI$10 SAYS HE1 0,:5 ,I WIZ 

,SN[Y ,V]NALL ALWAYS SITT+1 ALWAYS SNUFF+ IT !RE 9 ! DAU<T]'S H\SE ON ,GRE5 ,/REET4 ,ORANGE1 SAGE & UMB] MOTTL$ 9 A HE>?SIDE RUG ( WOOL-5DS :]E ! BLACK CAT IS ASLEEP & SNOR+4 ,9 BETWE5 ! CLOCK TICKS Y\ CAN HE> DU/ SETTLE ON ! SIDEBO>D1 ON ! EM]ALD GLASS B[LS1 ONE FULL ( GOLD5 APPLES WI!R+1 ! O!R FULL ( H>D-BOIL$ SWEETS BECOM+ DAMP & S(T4 ,!RE IS A MILDEW P]FUME ON ! 9DECIPH]ABLE CR[NS-&-LILIES WALLPAP]1 JU/ SLID+ (F LIKE SK9 ABOVE ! SKIRT+ BO>D :]E IT'S ?AT WET & HEAVY4 ,FROM BEH9D1 BEL[1 ! MUFFL$ FUSS ( *ICK5S TUTT+ 9 ! LONG BACK Y>D \TSIDE AS IT DROPS D[N ! SLOPE ONTO ,SA9T ,PET]'S ,WAY1 FROM :I* !RE'LL SOMETIMES COME ! E*O-SILV]$ CLOP ( HOOVES OR ELSE A RAG & BONE MAN'S SPEE* 9 TONGUES1 FRAIL LITTLE NOISES %\LD]$ BY ! SMELLY SUMM] W9D ?AT'S ALWAYS BL[+ ON ?AT ,W$NESDAY AFT]NOON4 ,!RE 9 ! DAU<T]'S H\SE1 !RE 9 ! LIV+ ROOM A TABLE ON ! LEFT - ) FIFTY YE>S ( SLIPP+ CUTL]Y & SCALD+ TEACUPS LOGG$ METICUL\SLY 9 ! V>NI% - & UPON IT /&S A *9A VASE ( TULIPS2 /&S ! *9A VASE ( TULIPS4 ,GLORI\S1 !Y >E4 ,BRI<T CU/>D YELL[1 IC+-SUG> P9K1 BLACKCURRANT PURPLE DEEP AS MIDNI<T1 Y\ %\LD SEE !M4 ,AN OLD MAN ALONE1 LET HIMSELF 91 COME VISIT+ ) EV]YBODY \T & />T+ TO GET LOOSE 9 HIS 9TELLIG5CE1 />T+ TO HAVE A TR\BLE ) ! OLD P]SPECTIVE AS HE NE>S ! MORTAL TURN+4 ,UP ABOVE ! SIDEBO>D !RE'S A MIRROR ) ANO!R HANG+ OPPOSITE ABOVE ! HE>?1 OR RA!R UP ABOVE ! SIDEBO>D !RE'S A W9D[ ) ANO!R SET 9TO ! S\? WALL OPPOSITE4 ,IT ISN'T EASY TELL+ :I* IT IS1 ! SAME AS H[ ! CORN] ( A ROOM CAN BE CONCAVE & CONVEX AT ! SAME TIME IF />$ AT = LONG 5\<4 ,ADRIFT 9 ! W>M AIR ) OPAL MOTES ALL BLAZ+ !RE >E O!R DETAILS 

?AT MAY COME TO ME AFT] A :ILE1 BUT ?AT'S ! LONG & %ORT ( IT40 ,HE PICKS HIS BONY1 B>EFOOT WAY AMONG COLD DUNES ( SP9Y HYP]SN[ ACCUMULAT+ ON ! FRO/$ P>QUET ( ?AT /UPEFY+ CORRIDOR4 ,MAY SQUIRMS UNCOM=TABLY1 A SMALL W>M WEI<T ON H] GR&FA!R'S NAPE1 & SQU9TS ?R\< AN 9T5SE *&ELI] FLURRY ( SUSP5D$1 :IRL+ CRY/ALS ?AT HAVE MORE ?AN ?REE DIM5SIONS1 A HYPNOTIC META-BLIZZ>D4 ,GAZ+ PA/ ?IS DIAMOND SP9DRIFT1 ! PR(\NDLY BEAUTIFUL NUDE BABY FOCUSES H] SAD ,GALAPAGOS EYES ON ! SO>+ CLIFF-FACE WALLS ?AT BORD] P]PETUITY'S G>GANTUAN EMPORIUM1 AWAY TO EI!R SIDE ACROSS ! 9T]V5+ MILES ( TUNDRA FLOOR4 ,%E KN[S ?AT 9 !SE LATITUDES ( ,ALWAYS !RE >E FEW] LIV+ PEOPLE 9 ! NEI<BORHOOD D[N/AIRS1 & ?AT !Y HAVE LESS COMPLICAT$ DREAM-LIVES4 ,CONSEQU5TLY1 ! IMM5SE >CADE SURR\ND+ H] & ,SN[Y HAS ACCUMULAT$ V]Y LITTLE 9 ! WAY ( A/RAL FURNI%+S & DECORATIONS1 TRIMM+S BORR[$ FROM ! SP>SE IMAG9+S ( A POL> 5CAMPM5T ?AT HAS LESS TO DREAM AB\T4 ,SET 9TO ! NOR? FACE IS SOME?+ ,MAY BELIEVES MI<T BE SOMEBODY'S VISION ( A MASSIVELY EXP&$ TRAD+-PO/1 ) WALLS ( V>NI%$ WOOD5 %IELDS & DRAPES ( WOLF-PELT ?AT >E BLUI%-:ITE SPECKL$ ) FAUN4 ,ELSE:]E1 H] ALMO/-TURQUOISE EYES ALI<T UPON :AT %E SUPPOSES TO BE ! 9FLAT$ DREAM-=M ( A TW5TY-SECOND C5TURY HO/ELRY1 ! EXCAVAT$ GR\ND FLOOR ( AN ANCI5T (FICE BLOCK :]E %E CAN MAKE \T LOCAL DATE-SPECIFIC <O/S ) !IR FUR BURKAS & !IR W9D-UP RADIOS1 !IR B>B$ & ORNATE WOLF-KILL+ 'VULPOONS' 9EVITABLY CLASP$ 9 ONE RAW FI/ AS !Y TRUDGE /OICALLY ?R\< A B]EFT ,VALHALLA4 ,O!R ?AN ?IS1 ! 5DLESS HALLWAY (F]S ONLY ! OCCASIONAL /ONE $IFICE OR CONCRETE HULK 5DUR+ FROM A PREVI\S ]A1 SET AMONG AN UNRELIEV$ EXPANSE ( T[]+ ROCK & *ISEL$ ICE4 ,! OPTICALLY CONF\ND+ HYP]FLAKES FALL SIL5TLY >\ND !M1 AN OBSCUR+ L+]IE-LACE HUNG ON AIR4 ,%E TILTS BACK H] EXQUISITELY MADE HEAD1 HALO$ 9 HAIR GOLD5 & NEBUL>1 P]US+ ! RU9$ CANOPY ABOVE ?IS *RONOLOGIC ?OR\<F>E'S UN5D+ W9T] VA/NESS4 ,! GRE5-T9T$ GLASS ?AT HAD ONCE %ELT]$ ! GREAT B\LEV>D IS LONG BROK5 & GONE1 ) ITS CONTA9+ FRAMEWORK ( ,VICTORIAN IRON R$UC$ TO RU/+ C>CASS SP>S ?R\< :I* UNFOLD+ BLUEPR9T CON/ELLATIONS MADE FROM OV]/>S >E VISIBLE4 ,RECALL+ ! CONSPICU\S >RAY ( %OPS & BUILD+S TO BE F\ND ONLY A HUNDR$ YE>S OR SO BACK D[N ! HALL1 ,MAY UND]/&S ?AT !RE MAY NOT BE /REETS OR /REET-NAMES ANYMORE D[N 9 ! T]RITORY BEL[4 ,A P]FECTLY DEVELOP$ M9D )9 A GLORI\S >RE/$ =M %E FEELS A DI/ANT DISAPPO9T$ PANG AT ! IDEA BUT NO?+ MORE1 CONSOL+ H]SELF ) ! OBS]VATION ?AT !RE >E AT LEA/ /ILL TREES4 ,WEA!R$ IMM5SITIES AS REALIZ$ ON ?IS UPP] PLANE1 ! CRY/AL-HEAVY GIANT P9ES EXT5D UP \T ( ! REMA9+ FLOOR-HOLES H]E & !RE1 :]E !SE HAVE NOT BE5 COV]$ OV] BY ! GLAZE ( P]MAFRO/ OR ELSE COLLAPS$ 5TIRELY4 ,IT OCCURS TO H] ?AT ! MAT]IAL GR\ND BEL[ !IR HI<] MA!MATIC REA*ES IS MO/ PROBABLY NO LONG] CALL$ ! ,BOR\<S1 & %E EV5 WOND]S IF !SE >CTIC FURLONGS ( ! OV]WORLD >E /ILL REF]R$ TO AS ,MANS\L4 ,RETURN+ H] ATT5TION TO ! MAD OLD MAN ON :OM %E'S RID+1 ,MAY ASKS HIM A QUE/ION1 H] VOICE AN UNSETTL+ BL5D ( 9FANT GURGLE & ELD]LY LADY SYNTAX4 0,DO ! BUILD]S & ! DEVILS EV] MAKE IT UP AS F> AS H]E80 ,HIS SUNBURN$ NECK GRIPP$ FA/ BY ! PRECOCI\S TODDL]'S KNEES1 H] GR&FA!R IS *UCKL+1 ALMO/ GIGGL+ AS HE REPLIES1 0,( C\RSE !Y DO4 ,Y\'LL /ILL F9D !M AB\T :5 !RE'S NOT PEOPLE ANY LONG]4 ,IT'S JU/ ?AT !Y T5D TO HANG AB\T MORE 9 ! POPULAT$ BITS ( TIME1 LIKE 9 ! /RET* ?AT WE'RE FROM4 ,& BE=E ?AT1 IF Y\ EV] *OOSE TO GO BACK ?AT F>1 Y\'LL F9D EV5 MORE ( 'EM4 ,BACK 9 ! PA/URES !RE1 !Y EV5 V5TURE D[N/AIRS EV]Y N[ & !N1 :5 !Y'RE DIRECT+ ?AT MONK H]E FROM ,GEOGRAPHICAL ,J]USALEM OR :5 !Y'RE ORD]+ ?AT ,SAXON HALFWIT BACK TO ,PET]'S ,*UR* SO HE CAN HELP DIG UP ,SA9T ,RAG5]4 ,ONE SPEAKS TO POOR OLD ,]N1 MY DAD & Y\R GREAT-GR&DAD1 9 ! DOME ( ,SA9T ,PAUL'S DUR+ ALL ! USUAL ?UND]/ORM & LI<TN+ ?AT !Y SEEM TO FAVOR1 ?\< IT'S REALLY JU/ ALL ! ELECTROMAGNETISM ?AT'S DIS*>G$4 ,IT'S ?UND]+ :5 ,I HAVE ?AT ONE SPEAK TO ME ?AT TIME1 :5 ,I WIZ DRUNK & ON TOP ( ! ,GUILDHALL 9 ,/4 ,GILES ,/REET IF Y\ CAN IMAG9E ?AT3 Y\R GR&DAD ON ! RO('S CRE/ SWAY+ 9 

A BITT] BREEZE \T ( ! EA/ ) /ORM-CL\DS RID+ IT T[>DS ! T[N FROM ,AB+TON1 FROM ,WE/ON ,FAVELL & ! PALE BLUE SLATES B5EA? HIS FEET ALREADY DAMP5+ TO NAVY 9 ANTICIPATION4 ,D[N 9 ,GEORGE ,R[ & ,/4 ,GILES ,/REET BEL[ ALL ! PALE OVALS TILT+ BACK & GAP+ 9 AMAZEM5T1 MILL+ BEETLE-FA%ION 9 !IR BONNETS & !IR CAPS >\ND ! BIKE-%OP AT ! TOP ( ,GUILDHALL ,ROAD ) ! >OMA ( ,FR5* *ALK & RUBB] LIFT+ FROM ITS DOORWAY4 ,SEE+ H[ ! FIGURE ON ! SKYL9E SWAYS & WOBBLES SOME ( ! ASSEMBL$ CR[D CALL W>N+S1 ) ! GREAT] P>T ( !IR ADMONI%M5TS B[L$ (F T[>D ,ALL ,SA9TS OR ,BRIDGE ,/REET 9 ! RIS+ W9D & LEAV+ ONLY SCRAPS BEH9D3 0444 MAK+ A %[ 44401 0444 S5D+ = A BOBBY 44401 0444 RUDDY FOOL4 ,Y\'LL BREAK Y\R NECK & 44401 BUT ?AT'S NOT :AT'S GO+ TO HAPP54 ,9 ! L(TY GU/S *OPP$ BY ! *IMNEYS1 9 ! PEPP]-%OT ( BIRDSONG & 9 RUBBI% WALTZ+ D[N ! GUTT]+ AT ! APPROA* ( RA91 ?AT'S NOT :AT'S GO+ TO HAPP54 ,NEXT !RE'S A PREC>I\S LITTLE DANCE1 AS IF SPONTANE\S1 AS IF NOT =EORDA9$ FROM ! COMM5CEM5T ( ET]NITY1 :I* HAS A SLIP & SLI!R 9 IT & A TEET]+ RECOV]Y ?AT MAKES ! AUDI5CE GASP AT ! APPROPRIATE JUNCTURE ( !IR UNACKN[L$G$ S*$ULE4 ,:AT A SPECTACLE ! WORLD MAKES ( ITSELF4 ,:AT A P]=MANCE4 ,AL?\< EV]Y?+ IS MOTIONLESS 9 ! ?ICK GLASS ( TIME !RE'S ! APPE>ANCE ( A DRUNK5 /UMBLE & ANO!R 9DRAWN BREA? FROM ! FLAT MULTITUDE COMPRESS$ BY ! P]SPECTIVE1 PEOPLE PA9T$ ON ! PLANN]'S DIAGRAM ( A /REET B5EA?4 ,A ?READB>E >M IS HOOK$ AB\T ! RO(TOP /ATUE'S *ILLY %\LD]S1 DRAP$ BETWE5 ! H>D /ONE P9IONS & A G>L& ( 5CRU/$ PIGEON %IT 5CIRCL+ ! NECK1 9 AN 9EBRIATE OV]-FAMILI>ITY ?AT ALSO (F]S 9CREAS$ PUR*ASE & /ABILITY4 ,IT'S SPITT+ N[1 ! FIR/ COLD DROPLETS BREAK+ AGA9/ *EEKS1 ! BACKS ( H&S1 BUT /ILL ! IDL+ MOB SQU9T UP 9TO ! LI<T PRECIPITATION AT ! DRUNK & ! /ONE MAN ) W+S TOGE!R UP AGA9/ A D>K5+ SKY LIKE !Y W]E PALS4 ,A LONG & PR9CIPALLY 9AUDIBLE H>ANGUE COMM5CES1 AIM$ AT ! BEMUS$ T]RE/RIAL OBS]V]S :O SEEM UNSURE :AT TO MAKE ( IT4 0,I'M ) MY DEAD GR&DAU<T] WALK+ NAK$ ?R\< A FROZ5 AFT]LIFE NE>LY ?REE HUNDR$ YE>S FROM N[4 ,TELL ALL ( Y\R DESC5DANTS TO BE C>EFUL ( ! WOLVES4 ,!Y MI<T WANT TO DEVISE A PO9T$ /ICK ( SOME V>IETY40 ,9 ,GILES ,/REET D[N !RE1 A PEACOCK C>PET ( UNCOMPREH5D+ EYES4 ,! LI<T JUMPS SUDD5LY & AFT] COMES ! BRUISE-MAUVE RUMBLE ( A CYMBAL FIRMAM5T1 MASK+ ! S(T]1 CLOS] S\ND ( GR9D+ /ONE-ON-/ONE AS ! W+$ ICON SL[LY TURNS ITS HEAD TO MAKE EYE-CONTACT4 ,ALL AB\T ! *ISEL$ ?ROAT !RE IS A FISSURE-NECKLACE ( SMALL CRACKS ?AT RIPPLE BRIEFLY 9TO BE+1 SPL9T]+ & BRAN*+ BE=E FUS+ SEAMLESSLY 9TO ! NEW CONFIGURATION4 ,SIMIL>LY1 !RE >E F9E WEBS ( SELF-HEAL+ FRACTURE AT ! CORN]S ( ! EYES & M\? AS ! C>V$ FEATURES BL9K & SMILE &1 ULTIMATELY1 SPEAK4 0,V]NALIMT1 :OREY SKUNG80 ,! %ATT]$ SYLLABLES >E SETTL$ SL[LY LIKE AN A% OR S$IM5T UPON ! E>DRUMS ( ! LI/5] :]E !Y >RANGE !MSELVES 9TO AN 9=MATION OR1 AS 9 ?IS 9/ANCE1 AN 9QUIRY4 ,SOME?+ LIKE1 0,V]NALL1 :AT LIMIT >E Y\ SEEK+801 BUT ATT5D$ BY A DIZZY+ >RAY ( SUBTEXTS2 ( CONCEPTUAL & L+UI/IC PLEATS HUNG 9 A %IMM]+ VEIL AT ! P]IPH]IES ( APPREH5SION4 ,UND]NEA?1 ! E>?B\ND ONLOOK]S SEE NO?+1 PE]+ 9TO DRIZZLE OR DI/RACT$ BY ! SE>* = %ELT] FROM ! COM+ D[NP\R4 ,ALL !Y HE> IS ! 9TOXICAT$ /EEPLEJACK'S DELIRI\S LAU<T] & UNFA?OMABLE REPLY4 0,>E NOT ! $GES ( ! HEAV5S & ! BRIM ( REASON & ! %UNT+-Y>DS ( TIME ITSELF ALL B\ND>IES REQUIR+ MY 9SPECTION & !RE=E )9 MY JURISDICTION8 ,ANSW] ?AT ) A /RAI<T FACE & DROPP+S ON Y\R *960 ,! GRANITE BE+ %AKES ITS HEAD1 SL[LY & IMP]CEPTIBLY1 TO AN ACCOMPANIM5T ( FUR!R M9UTE FRACTUR+ & SUBDU$ GRAT+1 !N ADMITS 0,YOHUAV METR01 :I* TRANSLATES TO SOME:]E 9 ! REGION ( 0,Y\ HAVE ME !RE04 ,! WEA!R$ CRANIUM %IFTS BY FRACTIONS BACK TO ITS ORIG9AL POSITION & GR[S SIL5T4 ,BY N[1 OV]HEAD1 ! ?UND] TAKES ITS BULL-RUN ?R\< AN IRONMONG]'S ) ! WEA!R COM+ D[N LIKE T9SEL CURTA9S ON A NUDE !AT] %[4 ,D[N 9 ! MOD]N PA9T$ DOTS ?AT ?RONG ! PA9T$ /REET IS SUDD5LY A GREAT PREPOND]ANCE ( 9DIGO AS ! CON/ABUL>Y >RIVE :O1 FROM ?AT ELEVAT$ VANTAGE1 LOOK TO BE L>GELY UNSYMPA!TIC4 ,LI<TN+-SCATT]$ PIGEONS :IRL 

AB\T ME1 OR AT LEA/ ?AT IS MY HONE/ RECOLLECTION40 ,!Y /RIDE ON1 ! OLD MAN & HIS 9FANT BURD51 = A DI/ANCE ( P]HAPS ANO!R DOZ5 YE>S BE=E !Y BO? AGREE TO HALT & MAKE A BIV\AC4 ,! Y\NG] ( ! ,V]NALLS ASKS TO BE SET D[N )9 A HOLL[$-\T CONCRETE CONCAVITY !RE TO ONE SIDE ( ! GREAT CORRIDOR1 CEIL+ SUBSUM$ B5EA? AN OPTICAL ILLUSION *&ELI]-GR[? ( MA!MATICALLY ABNORMAL ICICLES4 ,! LI<T REFRACT+ ?R\< !SE FROM ! %ATT]$ CEIL+ ( ! 9F9ITE >CADE \TSIDE SUFFUSES ! :OLE *AMB] ) PRISMATIC BLU%1 ) IRIDESC5T SPECKS ACCUMULAT+ 9 ! WR9KLES ( HIS BR[ OR P[D]+ H] FLAWLESS SK94 ,!RE >E /ILL ! FRO/-DU/$ DREAMS ( WOLF-PELTS PIL$ DISC>D$ 9 A CORN]1 & ,SN[Y SUPPOSES ?AT !IR CURR5T :]EAB\TS MAY BE ONE MORE FUR!R REIT]ATION ( ! MAKE%IFT A/RAL TAV]N !Y PASS$ SOME FEW DECADES BACK4 ,EXPLOR+ 9 ! MI/Y DAZZLE ( ! SPECTRA1 TODDL+ ON PLUMP LITTLE LEGS1 ! AGELESS BABY ,MAY EMITS A SUDD5 %RILL PEAL ( DELI<T ?AT *IMES & E*OES1 %IV]+ ?R\< ! ICE-/ALACTITES & BR++ H] 9TRIGU$ GR&FA!R TO H] SIDE4 ,!RE AT !IR NAK$ FEET A MODE/ C>PET+ ( :AT AT FIR/ GLANCE LOOK LIKE ORD9>Y ,PUCK'S ,HATS SPREADS = A FEW Y>DS 9 ALL DIRECTIONS4 ,ONLY UPON CLOSE 9SPECTION IS IT EVID5T ?AT ?IS IS SOME NEW /RA9 ( ! E!REAL FUNGUS1 BORN FROM ! IMAG9+S ( DIFF]5T TIMES & DIFF]5T PEOPLE4 ,! TRADITIONAL LI! FAIRY-=MS ?AT !Y >E BO? FAMILI> ) HAVE BE5 REPLAC$ BY SLI<TLY %ORT]1 PLUMP] FEMALE FIGURES1 AL?\< EV]Y BIT AS W9SOME & /ILL %>+ LIMBS & FACIAL FEATURES ) EA* O!R1 FUZ$ 9TO !IR CU/OM>Y />FI% OR SN[FLAKE CONFIGURATIONS4 ,/RIK+LY1 ! EXQUISITE NUDE WOM5 >E ALL N[ ALB9OS ) P9K GEMS = EYES1 ) ALABA/] SK9 & AT ! C5TRAL TUFT & ! FURR$ JUNCTIONS ( !IR PETAL LEGS ALIKE ! SILKY PSEUDO-HAIR IS MADE A BRI<T SN[BL9D TITANIUM4 ,! ELD] ,V]NALL SPLITS A *ALKY /ALK ) ONE BLACK ?UMBNAIL1 ?US ELICIT+ ! USUAL DY+ :9E ?AT NEI!R ( !M HAVE BE5 PREVI\SLY AW>E (1 ! P]IPH]AL S\ND ( AN ELECTRICAL APPLIANCE SUDD5LY SWIT*$ (F1 SLID+ FROM A DOG-:I/LE HI< TO SLUMP 9TO ! AUDIBLE4 ,TURN+ ! META-BLOSSOM OV] 9 HIS LEA!R H&S HE NOTES ?AT ON ! UND]SIDE ! R+ ( T9Y W+S >E N[ NO LONG] DRAGONFLY-LIKE GOSSAM] BUT >E 9/EAD ! FEA!R$ K9D1 LIKE ?OSE ( M9USCULE :ITE BUDG]IG>S4 ,BREAK+ ! PALLID FRUIT 9 TWO & GIV+ HALF TO HIS GR&DAU<T] HE ALL[S HIMSELF A TA/E1 SURPRIS$ AT ! 9CREAS$ 9T5SITY ( ! HI<]-DIM5SIONAL BLOOM'S SWEETNESS4 ,9 BETWE5 SLOBB]+ M\?FULS HE & ,MAY CONCLUDE ?AT ?IS P]HAPS REFLECTS A LACK ( REF9$ SUG> 9 ! DIET ( ?OSE /ILL LIV+ 9 ! REALM ,D[N/AIRS1 :IL/ ! ALT]$ APPE>ANCE ( ! ,B$LAM ,J5NIES POSSIBLY SUGGE/S *ANG$ NOTIONS ( ALLURE & BEAUTY D[N !RE 9 ! ICEB\ND MORTAL CONT9UITY BEL[4 ,AS ! ANTICIPAT$ T+L+ & ILLUM9AT+ W>M? SPREADS ?R\< !IR PHANTOM SY/EMS1 !Y BO? UND]/& )\T ! NE$ TO VOICE ! ?\<T ?AT ?IS PR(USION ( UNEAT5 A/RAL FUNGI MU/ IMPLY ?AT !RE >E FEW] PECKI% <O/S AB\T !SE REA*ES ( ! OV]-LIFE1 IF 9DE$ !RE >E ANY LEFT AT ALL4 ,! ,GULF ,/REAM W>M+ ,BRITA91 AS !Y'VE PREVI\SLY AGRE$1 MU/ HAVE SE5 ITS B5IGN CONVECTION CURR5T CEASE SOMETIME >\ND ! MIDDLE YE>S ( ! TW5TY-FIR/ C5TURY1 :5 ! CONT9U$ MELT+ ( ! ,GRE5L& ICE-%ELF MEANT ?AT IT WAS NO LONG] SUFFICI5T TO P[] ?AT LONG/&+ HYDRO-!RMAL DRIFT4 ,! C\NTRY1 ALWAYS %>+ ! SAME B& ( LATITUDE ) W9TRY LOCALES LIKE ,D5M>K1 W\LD HAVE BE5 REM9D$ =CIBLY = ! FIR/ TIME 9 C\NTLESS G5]ATIONS ( ITS ACTUAL POL> SITUATION4 ,IT W\LD ALSO HAVE BECOME ONE ( ! LA/ REMA9+ >EAS 9 ! WORLD ALONG ) ! ,ANT>CTIC MEGA-CITIES TO HAVE WEA!R SUITABLE = GR[+ PRODUCE ON A PLANET :]E ! EQUATORIAL REGIONS W]E 9CREAS+LY SURR5D]+ TO DES]T4 ,MAY HAS AT ONE PO9T SUGGE/$ ?AT ?IS SEEMS TO HAVE RESULT$ 9 A P]IOD ( OV]POPULATION1 POSSIBLY OCCASION$ BY 9VASION OR A FRANTIC WAVE ( REFUGEES & IMMIGRANTS1 BE=E ! MASSIVE HUMAN DIE-BACK ?AT !Y HAVE ALREADY WITNESS$ 9 ! LAT] /RET*ES ( ?AT C5TURY1 :5 ! UN5D+ BO>DWALKS ( ,MANS\L W]E CR[D$ ) BEWILD]$ JU/-DEAD APP>ITIONS ?AT ! NAK$ BABY & H] WILD-EY$ /E$ W]E =C$ TO PU% !IR WAY BETWE54 ,AFT] ?AT PO9T ! PAIR >E BO? AGRE$ !RE'S BE5 LESS COMPANY >\ND & FEW] SIGNS ( SPECTRAL HABITATION1 9DICAT+ ?AT D[N 9 ! FROZ5 WA/ES ( ! ,FIR/ ,BOR\< UND]NEA? !M !RE ABIDES A POPULATION :I* IS MU* DIM9I%$1 AT ! V]Y LEA/4 ,SN[Y & ,MAY CONSUME !IR FRAGRANT SUPP]1 ! V>IETY ( ,PUCK'S ,HAT ?AT !Y HAVE DECID$ TO REF] TO AS 0! SN[-QUE5 SORT01 9 A PR(\ND & ?\<TFUL SIL5CE4 ,UP ABOVE ! 5DLESS HALL \TSIDE !IR GUTT$ BILLET ) ITS CRU/ ( GLASS GEOMETRIES1 AB/RACT$ CON/ELLATIONS >E UNFOLD$ AGA9/ BLACKNESS ( UNFA?OMABLE DEP?4 ,!Y BRU% ! FROZ5 HYP]-CRY/ALS FROM ! LUSCI\S WOLF-SK9S & EA* TAKE ONE AS A BLANKET1 JU/ = ! FAMILI>ITY & COM=T ( ! NOTION RA!R ?AN = ! UNNECESS>Y W>M? OR COV]4 ,SNUGGL$ !RE BESIDE EA* O!R 9 !IR WRAPS = ! SAME REASON1 BO? CLOSE !IR REMEMB]$ EYES TO DRIFT 9 TIME & MEMORY4 ,! OLD MAN ?9KS ( ! TREM5D\S DI/ANCE D[N ! SEMPIT]NAL CORRIDOR ?AT !Y'VE ALREADY COME & ! MU* GREAT] DI/ANCE YET TO GO1 ! C\NTLESS FURLONGS ( ONE FOOT BE=E ! O!R OR ! P>ALLAX 9 SEP>ATE LAY]S CRAWL+ BY AT DIFF]5T SPE$S TO EI!R SIDE ( HIM1 & IS REM9D$ ( ! SIMIL>LY L5G?Y HIKES ?AT >E HIS HABIT :ILE 9 LIFE & 9 ! ?IRD DIM5SION1 

! LONG TREKS \T ( ,NOR?AMPTON & ACROSS ! LANES & FIELDS TO ,LONDON1 FROM ! ,BOR\<S 9TO %9+ ,LAMBE?1 WET AFT] ! RA94 ,HE KN[S A TRICK ?AT WILL COMPRESS ! J\RNEY1 TELESCOP+ HIS FOND F>EWELLS TO ,L\ISA AT !IR ,=T ,/REET DOOR/EP 9TO HIS FOOTSORE >RIVAL ON ! ANGEL PAVEM5TS !RE S\? ( ! ,?AMES4 ,DETA*+ HIMSELF FROM HIS USUAL P]SPECTIVE ON ! SOLID1 TRUDG+ WORLD ( ?REE DIM5SIONS HE ADOPTS AN ALTITUDE FROM :I* DURATION HAS BECOME A ?+ ( FEET & 9*ES4 ,HIS WIFE'S GOODBYE WAVE & H] ACCOMPANY+ SUSPICI\S FR[N SME> 9TO COBBL$ LANES1 TO BREW]IES & BRICKY>DS ON ! $GE ( T[N & !N TO WAYSIDE FL[]S1 C[SLIPS1 =GET-ME-NOTS & SU*1 A FLORAL MOTIF ON ! C\NTY'S CRAWL+ WALLPAP]4 ,! FIX$ DISC ( ! SUN SWELLS UP & R$D5S LIKE A SORE EYE1 />+ ANGRY & AGGRIEV$ UNTIL RELIEV$ BY ! PROTRACT$ BL9K ( A CL\D-COV] EYELID1 GRAY & FULL ( TE>S4 ,! WORLD ( =M & DEP? & TIME IS FLATT5$ TO A S+LE PLANE AS 9 A MAP1 & ! 5SU+ D[NP\R IS R$UC$ TO ONLY A METALLIC TEXTURE SPATT]+ AN >EA ( ! DIAGRAM4 ,DAY TANS TO NI<T1 TWICE1 TWO ?ICK /RIPES ( PURPLE T> /IPPL$ ) NAIL-HEADS1 & !N PA/ ?IS PO9T ON ! UNW9D+ CANVAS ( ! DAYS ! EM]ALD V]GE ( ,WATL+ ,/REET GIVES WAY TO ?ICK IMPA/O CRU/S ( PIGEON-/REAK$ GEOMETRY4 ,! F9] DETAILS ( BROAD AV5UE & N>R[ T]RACE >E UNFOLD$ FROM !SE 9TRICACIES TO SURR\ND HIM1 ) FLAT FACTORIES N[ SPR++ 9TO BE+ AT ! CORN]S ( HIS GLAZ$ SLEEPWALK] GAZE & ! :OLE CAPITAL BECOME A *ILDR5'S POP-UP NOVELTY4 ,ALONG ,H]CULES ,ROAD'S UNSPOOL+ L5G? HE GOES D[N 9TO ! FAMILI> ,B$LAM REA*ES ( HIS BIR?PLACE1 />V+ HUNGRY & = SOME =GOTT5 REASON SUDD5LY NE> LAME1 & IT ALL SEEMS TO HIM TO BE ACCOMPLI%$ 9 A MOM5T4 ,HE GULPS D[N ! SIXTY OR SO MILES 9 ONE DEBILITAT+1 DIZZY+ SWALL[ & SLAMS HIS DRA9$ J\RNEY ON ! ,LAMBE? C\NT]1 SMACKS HIS LIPS ) RELI% ON ! NE>E/ B>MAID BY WAY ( A CELEBRATION4 ,H] M\? IS ! TAUT BUT YIELD+ RIBBON ( HIS F9I% L9E & YET HE /UMBLES FUR!R1 /UMBL+ & GASP+ TO H] *UCK+-\T TIME *AMB]1 TO ! PURLIEUS ( H] WOMB1 & ! UNFAI?FULNESS IS SOMEH[ WRAPP$ >\ND1 IS AN EXT5SION ( ,L\ISA'S KN[+ SC[L !RE ON ! FRONT /EP4 ,EV5 :ILE HE'S BE>+ D[N ) ! MILK-JELLIES ( H] ?I<S AGA9/ HIS *E/ HE KN[S HE IS REMEMB]+ ?IS MOM5T FROM ! VANTAGE ( A FURRY EID]D[N1 AN ICE-DECK$ CAV]N 9 ANO!R WORLD LONG AFT] HE & EV]YONE HE KN[S >E DEAD4 ,HE HAS ! BRIEF IMPRESSION ( AN 5DLESSLY REIT]AT$ S]IES ( HIS SELF1 AN 9F9ITE >RAY ( WILD-EY$ M5 9 AN APOCALYPTIC /ATE ( MUTUAL AW>5ESS1 WAV+ TO EA* O!R D[N A LONG & N>R[ HALLWAY ?AT AT FIR/ HE ?9KS IS TIME ITSELF BUT REALIZES IS ANO!R IMAGE FROM ANO!R MOM5T AS HE MOANS & EMPTIES HIMSELF 9TO H]1 9TO ! SWEATY L9E> RU% ( HUMAN CIRCUM/ANCE1 BO? ( !M WRI?+1 P9N$ LIKE M>TYRS TO ! CRU%+ :EEL ( EV]Y?+4 ,IT IS IMM$IATELY MORN+4 ,HE UNCREASES FROM ! B$ & GR[S A SK9 ( CLO!S1 GR[S A NEW ROOM >\ND HIM ?AT UNWRAPS 9TO A /REET1 ANO!R PUB1 A FEW DAYS DECORAT+ WORK 9 ,S\?W>K :]E ! H\RS >E APPLI$ 9 COATS1 ! BRU%-/ROKE M9UTES SMOO?LY MELT+ 9TO ONE ANO!R4 ,!RE'S A RO(+ JOB 9 ,WAT]LOO1 DANC+ ) SKY & GRAVITY & HE LOOKS \T ACROSS ! LEAD BRAID ( ! RIV] TO ! EA/ :]E 9 ! DI/ANCE ! BLEA*$ SKULL ( ! CA!DRAL RISES4 ,9 ITS FAM\S GALL]Y HE KN[S ?AT FIFTY-YE>-OLD ?UND]S >E /ILL :ISP]+ TO ! FA9T RESIDUAL VIBRATIONS ( HIS FA!R SCREAM+1 GO+ MAD1 AN 5DLESS CONV]SATION BETWE5 E*OES4 ,/RA9S TO SEE IF HE CAN CAT* IT1 OV]BALANCES & TWIRLS HIS >MS LIKE W9DMILLS !N REGA9S HIS FOOT+ 9 A SCRIPT$ ACCID5T1 WOBBL+ !RE UPON ! RIM ( A NEW C5TURY4 ,HIS HE>T P\NDS FROM ! NE> MISS & HE %AKES A LITTLE 9 ! WAKE ( ! ADR5AL9E1 HIS M9D AW>E ?AT !RE WAS NEV] ANY DANG] ( A FALL & YET HIS FLE% REMA9+ UNCONV9C$1 AS EV]4 ,HE BREA!S D[N HIS NOSE AS HE DESC5DS ! LADD] 9TO SEQU5CE1 9TO FIL?Y HI/ORY1 ! RUNGS TRANSMUT+ 9 HIS CLAMMY F+]S TO BECOME A BUFF PAY 5VELOPE1 ! SLOPP+ GLASS WEI<T ( A P9T1 A DIFF]5T B>MAID'S CUNT1 H] B$ROOM DOORKNOB & AT LA/ ! LACES ( HIS BOOTS :]E HE KNEELS FA/5+ !M = ! WALK HOME TO ,NOR?AMPTON4 ,/REAMS FL[ BACKW>DS & ALMI<TY /ORM-FRONTS CRUMPLE & CONTRACT TO BALLS ( TANG]9E-WRAP TISSUE BE=E VANI%+4 ,A LABOR+ DRAY HORSE SNORTS & %IV]S1 BREAKS AP>T 9TO TWO SP9/]S RID+ BICYCLES :O RAISE !IR HATS 9 PASS+4 ,P>ASOL SE$S GA!R$ BY ! W9D >E REASSEMBL$ 9TO PUFFBALL CLOCKS BE=E COND5S+ 9TO PISS-GOLD D&ELIONS & !N ! PLANET SUCKS !M 9 ?R\< !IR /EM'S MILKY /RAW4 ,! PLANET SUCKS IT ALL BACK 9 EV5TUALLY1 DR9KS EV]Y BLADE ( GRASS1 DR9KS EV]YONE AS HE RETRACTS ! C5TIP$E-L5G? ( HIS =M EXPRESS$ 9 TIME FROM ,BLACKFRI>S ,BRIDGE TO ,PET]'S ,*UR* & ,M>EFAIR1 REELS HIS H]E-&-N[ ALONG ! ,ROMAN ,ROAD 9TO ! ,BOR\<S ) LEAVES RIP5+ & FILL+ \T FROM RAGG$ RUSSET TO A SLEEK VIRIDIAN AS !Y FLOAT UP TO REATTA* !MSELVES4 ,HE TIES ! OV]-%APE ( HIS EXCURSION 9 A TIDY B[1 GREET+ ,L\ISA ) A KISS ON ! FRONT /EP1 ANO!R WOMAN'S JUICE /ILL FLAVOR+ HIS LIPS & ALL ! :ILE HE KN[S 

HE'S 9 ! FRO/$ RU9S ( A DREAM-DOVE SOME:]E UP ABOVE ! CAUSES & EFFECTS1 AN EI<TE5-MON?-OLD *ILD WRAPP$ 9 HIS SCRAWNY >MS1 BO? DO+ :AT DEAD PEOPLE DO 9/EAD ( SLEEP+4 ,OV]HEAD1 EYE-/RA9+ ICE GEOMETRIES DRIP LIQUID HYP]SPH]ES1 EA* C>EFULLY-SPAC$ SPLA% & PL9K 9 AN 5HANC$ AC\/IC1 OV]LAPP+ ) DELAY & SO CONV5+ 9TO SP>SE & ACCID5TAL MUSIC4 ,NI<T BE+ A FIX$ LOCATION ON ! 5DLESS AV5UE !Y RISE AFT] :AT !Y FEEL IS SUFFICI5T RE/ & SP5D SOME TIME 9 FA%ION+ A SACK ( WOLFSK91 SO ?AT !Y CAN TAKE MO/ ( ! ,PUCK'S ,HATS ) !M AS !Y TRAVEL ON T[>DS ! GOLD ]UPTION ( A DAYBREAK4 ,=TIFI$ BY !IR RESPITE1 ! OLD MAN RUNS 9 LOP+ ,MUYBRIDGE /RIDES1 EA* PACE A M9UTE OR TWO LONG & GLACIAT$ H\RS ( FLOORBO>D VANI%+ B5EA? HIS DIRTY FEET4 ,! ,HAT-SACK TI$ AB\T HIS NECK PROVIDES A FURRY SADDLE :]E HIS JOCKEY B\NCES NUDE & LAU<+1 MAK+ FI/S >\ND RE9S ( :ITE HAIR & %RIEK+ D[N ! BORE ( HI/ORY4 ,)\T CON/RA9TS ( FLE% OR ,D[N/AIRS-PHYSICS !Y ACCEL]ATE TO REA* A GALLOP 9 :I* ! SUCCESSION ( ! DAYS BECOMES A /ROBE ( JET & OPAL4 ,SOMETIMES CLU/]$ SPECKS FLA% BY & B[L AWAY 9TO ! SLIP/REAM1 O!R PEOPLE1 O!R <O/S1 BUT FEW & F> BETWE5 & NEV] 9 SUFFICI5T NUMB]S TO NECESSITATE MORE ?AN A LAZY VE] 9 ,SN[Y & HIS GR&DAU<T]'S BLURR+ TRAJECTORY4 ,! PHANTOMS PO9T & />E AT ! B>E PATRI>* AS HE /REAMS PA/ !M ) HIS %RIVEL$ TACKLE ROIL+ & A CONJO9$ *]UB GR[+ FROM HIS %\LD]S4 ,?UND]+1 HIS FOOTFALLS MEASURE ! BL9D PHASES ( ! MOON1 P\ND ?R\< ! C5TURIES UNTIL HE CAN DETECT A SUBTLE %IFT ( COLORATION 9 ! PASS+ EV]SCAPE1 COLD ALABA/] GRADUALLY SUFFUS$ ) VIRID NOTES ( ?AW4 ,HE CURBS !IR T]RIBLE MOM5TUM1 SL[+ SO ?AT EV]Y /EP FALLS ON A ,SUNDAY1 !N UPON A SPLA%+ MOLT5 SUNSET1 !N T5 M9UTES PA/ ! H\R & F9ALLY HE BR+S !M TO A /&/ILL 9 ! /RANGE RECOV]+ TROPIC ( ! 9/ANT4 ,LIFT+ ,MAY'S ALMO/ UNNOTICEABLE WEI<T OV] HIS HEAD HE SETS H] D[N ONTO A FELT ( MOSS ?AT W\LD SEEM TO HAVE COLONIZ$ ! =M]LY ICE-V>NI%$ FLOORBO>DS !NAB\TS1 & 9 ?AT NEWF\ND TEMPORAL VIC9ITY ! ANCI5T & ! BABY /& & LOOK AB\T !M4 ,! IMM5SE >CADE HAS 9 !SE LATITUDES REGA9$ A LITTLE ( ITS /RUCTURE & COMPLEXITY1 SUGGE/+ DREAM-LIFE & !RE=E AN AT LEA/ P>TLY R5EW$ POPULATION 9 ! UND]-T]RITORIES4 ,MASSIVELY 5L>G$ IMAG9+S ( TRAD+ PO/S SEEM ONCE MORE TO HAVE BLOSSOM$ AT ! DI/ANT $GES ( ! IMM5SE CORRIDOR1 & T[]+ $IFICES ( Y>D-9-DIAMET] BAMBOO1 PLACES ( WOR%IP OR - CONCEIVABLY - ACADEMIES4 ,UNLIKE ! BLEAK POL> AU/]ITY ( VISION :I* PREVAILS ONLY SOME SEV]AL HUNDR$-YE> LEAGUES BACK ALONG ! L9E1 H[EV]1 !SE APPE> MORE 9TRICATE & EQUATORIAL 9 !IR DECORATION4 ,FEA!R SPRAYS & /YLIZ$ MON/]-MASKS PROLIF]ATE4 ,!RE IS A BUILD+ LIKE A KETTL$RUM AS BIG AS A GAS-HOLD]1 MADE FROM TREE-B>K GREATLY MAGNIFI$ & COV]$ 9 A VA/ SWA! ( FLUORESC5T SNAKESK91 ) ! ONCE-,VICTORIAN CANOPY ABOVE P>TLY RE/OR$ BY CABLE-?ICK LIANAS PA/ :I* :ITE DIAGRAMMATIC CL\DS UNCRUMPLE ON ! GRAD$ GR5AD9E WA% ( ! SKY4 ,TUGG+ ! LOOSE SK9 ( H] GR&DAD'S ?I<1 ,MAY PO9TS \T ?AT ! GIANT TREES PROTRUD+ ?R\< ! REC5TLY DEFRO/$ FLOOR-HOLES >E N[ BANYANS & ! LIKE1 A /IPPL+ ( V]MILION FLECKS UPON !IR HI< FLYOV] BRAN*ES ?AT %E ?9KS MI<T BE COMPRIS$ ( P>ROTS4 ,FUR!RMORE1 %E OBS]VES ?AT ! \TSIZE AP]TURES FROM :I* !Y SPR\T >E N[ NO MORE RECTANGUL> BUT >E >RANG$ 9 DIZZY+ R[S ( CIRCLES & ELLIPSES1 /RET*+ (F 9 ! UNTRAMMEL$ DI/ANCE ) LONG HANG+-G>D5 FR+ES ( DANK MOSS & CREEP] TRAIL+ D[N 9TO1 PRESUMABLY1 ! MORTAL HUTS & %ELT]S ( ! WORLD B5EA?4 ,AL?\< 9 ! UN*ANG+ CLIMATE ( ,UP/AIRS ! PAIR NO MORE EXP]I5CE AN 9CREAS$ W>M? ?AN !Y HAD FELT ! COLD ( ! MORE >CTIC REA*ES1 !Y SEE EVID5CE ( A FECUND & HUMID DREAMTIME EV]Y:]E AB\T !M4 ,H]E & !RE 9 SAUC]-POOLS BETWE5 ! GR[?S ( LI*5 !RE >E META-PUDDLES /RA9+ = A ?IRD DIM5SION1 TWI/+ UPW>D 9 TRANSLUC5T %EETS TO =M A ?+ ( 9T]SECT+ LIQUID PLANES MU* LIKE ! FLUID REPRODUCTION ( A GYROSCOPE BE=E SUBSID+4 ,SOME?+ LIKE A BUTT]FLY FLAPS WE>ILY 9TO ! RIS+ HI<]-MA!MATIC /EAM ON DAMP & HEAVY W+S1 A POLY!NE BAG SNAP & FLUTT] RU/L+ AWAY BETWE5 S*EMATIC FOG-DRIFTS ( EXTRAPOLAT$ VAPOR4 ,ON WAX$ TURE5 LEAVES1 PLUMP POLYH$RAL DROPLETS SP>KLE & DISPLAY IMPOSSIBLE REFRACTIVE 9DICES1 ,KOH-I-NOOR P]SPIRATION1 & EV5TUALLY FROM \T ( ! CONCEAL+ VEGETABLE %AD[S !RE EM]GE ! P]IOD'S DI/9CTIVELY-ADAPT$ SPECT]S3 FUTURE %ADES /EPP$ HESITANTLY FROM E!RIC FOLIAGE TO 5GAGE ) !SE \TL&I% NEW >RIVALS1 ) !SE TRAVEL]S FROM F>AWAY ANTIQUITY1 !SE REPRES5TATIVES ( AN ALMO/ =GOTT5 SPECIES4 ,) A FL9*+ & UNC]TA9 CATLIKE TREAD1 ! ,SECOND ,BOR\<'S NEW 9HABITANTS APPROA* ACROSS ! MOSSY SU$E1 NONE ( !M MORE ?AN ?REE OR F\R FEET TALL1 HAIRLESS & GLEAM+ BIP$S ) 5GRAV$ OR CR5ULAT$ SK9S ( A PR(\ND1 LI<T-DR9K+ AUB]G9E4 ,!IR VOICES :5 !Y SPEAK >E %RILL & PIP+ :ILE !IR LANGUAGE IS AT FIR/ 9COMPREH5SIBLE1 & YET TO ,SN[Y'S M9D HAS AN 9FLECTION ?AT IS NOT DISSIMIL> 

TO ! BURR 9 ! ,BLUE ,AN*OR1 /EPP+ FRE% 9TO ITS MID/ FROM ,*ALK ,LANE & ! BRI<T1 ?ROAT-SCOR*+ AIR3 ,BOX+ ,DAY MORN+4 ,/AMP+ CRU/S ( SN[ FROM (F HIS BOOTS ONTO COCONUT MATT+1 BRI/LES BEAD$ ) MELTWAT]1 ! Y\NG R\<NECK FEELS H]OIC1 MY?ICAL1 ?\< NOT = ANY REASON HE CAN PUT HIS WEA!R-DEAD5$ F+] ON4 ,! W9T] BRILLIANCE \TSIDE IS /RA9$ ?R\< NET CURTA9S TO DIFFUSE 9TO A :EY :]E CIG>ETTE SMUDGE ROLLS 9 DRIFTS ( MOTTL$ SEPIA & BLUE4 ,CLU/]$ 9 ?REES & F\RS >\ND !IR TABLES1 POLI%$ ISL&S FLOAT$ ON ! FUG ( BE]-BREA? & TOBACCO1 ,EA/] ,ISL& ADULTS />E CONT5T$LY 9TO !IR GLASSES1 9TO SIL5CES ?AT PUNCTUATE ! MEASUR$ DRIP ( ANECDOTE4 ,MADE BREA?LESS BY ! SEASON *ILDR5 SWIRL EXCIT$LY AB\T !IR P>5TS' KNEES LIKE TIDAL CURR5TS1 C>RI$ BY CONVECTION 9TO O!R ROOMS OR COBBL$ BACK Y>DS GLAZ$ & SLIPP]Y ) FROZ5 PISS4 ,SN[Y TAKES (F HIS COAT & *ECK]$ SC>F TO HOOK !M ON ! BLACK IRON QUAV] ( A HAT-PEG JU/ 9SIDE ! PUB'S FRONT DOOR1 HIS FLAT CAP JO9+ !M ONCE HE REMEMB]S ?AT HE'S WE>+ ONE4 ,TEMP]ATURE DIFF]5TIALS BETWE5 ! 9T]IOR & ,*ALK ,LANE )\T HAVE COOK$ HIS /++ E>S TO BACON SLICES1 ) HIS N[-CONCLUD$ WALK ALONG ! W9T] TRACK FROM ,LAMBE? C>RI$ !RE BEH9D HIM 9 A REGAL TRA9 ( CIRCUM/ANTIAL ]M9E4 ,:ILE O/5SIBLY HE'S H]E VISIT+ UNEMPLOY$ %OEMAK] C\S9S (F 9 ONE ( ! \TLY+ VILLAGES1 HE KN[S HE'LL NEV] GET !RE AFT] A *ANCE 9T]RUPTION TO HIS TRAVELS DUE TO OCCUR %ORTLY1 ) ?IS LATT] ASSIGNATION BE+ ! TRUE REASON HE IS RUBB+ CIRCULATION BACK 9TO HIS H&S 9 ! ,BLUE ,AN*OR1 ! TRUE REASON = HIS J\RNEY3 ?IS HAPP5/ANCE PORT ( CALL1 9 ONLY A FEW M9UTES1 WILL BECOME ! BACKDROP AGA9/ :I* HE FIR/ SETS EYES UPON ! WOMAN :O WILL BE HIS WIFE4 ,H]E 9 ?IS V]Y SECOND1 ON ?IS SPOT1 ,SN[Y HAS /OOD & BRU%$ HIS PALMS TOGE!R AS ?\< TRY+ TO K9DLE FIRE A BILLION TIMES BE=E1 5DLESSLY %AK5 ! SAME TREAD-IMPR9T$ CA/S ( SN[ ONTO ! SAME CO>SE DOORMAT4 ,EV]Y DETAIL1 EV]Y FIB] ( ! 9/ANT IS SO P]FECT & IMMORTAL ?AT HE FE>S IT MI<T COLLAPSE B5EA? ITS [N F]OCI\S ONSLAU<T1 ITS [N HOLY WEI<T 9 BOTTLE-CAPS & MEAN+4 ,HE ATTEMPTS1 NOT = ! FIR/ TIME1 TO *>ACT]IZE ! S+UL> ELUSIVE FLAVOR ( ! MORN+1 TO ATTA* WORDS TO AN ATMOSPH]E SO FRAGILE & IMP]MAN5T ?AT EV5 LANGUAGE BUR/S IT LIKE A BUBBLE4 ,!RE'S A SUBDU$ *APEL S(TNESS TO ! CONV]SATION1 SOMEH[ MURMUR+ ON ! SAME WAVEB& AS ! SETTL+ TALCUM LI<T UNTIL ! TWO PH5OM5A CANNOT BE USEFULLY DI/+UI%$ FROM EA* O!R4 ,HIS DI/5D+ NO/RILS CUP ! FUGITIVE & UNIQUE SAVOR1 A B\ILLON ( HOPS & CURLS ( SMOKE LIKE %AV+S ( SWEET COCONUT2 A DILUTE MEMORY ( ROSES MI/+ ON ! WOM5FOLK1 A SPIRIT$ PRET5SE ( SC5T1 REC5TLY GIFT$4 ,ON ! COLD & GL>+ DAY H]E IS A SLEEPY SATISFACTION1 A CONT5T$ LANGUOR LIKE A BLANKET HUNG UPON ! OPTICS1 ON ! LONG-UNT\*$ & TACITURN PIANO1 DRAP$ 9 FALL+ FOLDS OV] ! SEAT$ FAMILIES & SOME?+ LIKE ! AFT]GL[ ?AT FOLL[S :5 Y\'VE HAD IT (F1 ! /RA9 ( ,*RI/MAS & ! /RESS ( ! P]=MANCE DONE )1 NO MORE WORRY ?AT SOMEBODY MI<T BE DISAPPO9T$4 ,SPILL$ P9E NE$LES1 BRILLIANT EM]ALD 9 ! KIDS' GRAY SOCKS4 ,! LOVELY GRE$ & ! 9DULG5CE 9 A VISC\S MIXTURE ) ! CALM ( TEMPOR>Y BELIEF 9 ! NATIVITY1 & NOBODY AT WORK4 ,! MO/ EXQUISITE QUALITY IS ! APP>5T TRANSI5CE & SEEM+ BREVITY ( ! RESPITE1 A S5SE ?AT SOON ! %EPH]DS & ! SEXLESS SWAN-W+$ ?+S ) GOLD5 TRUMPETS %ALL BE BLEA*$ TO ABS5CES ON :ITE C>D BY ! ,JANU>Y SUN1 NOT LONG UNTIL ! PA9T$ C>OL S+]S ) !IR TAILCOATS >E RETREAT$ ?R\< ! FALL+ FLAKES BACK TO !IR COMRADELY & CRY/ALL9E DECADE :]E NO ONE EV] LIV$4 ,! PACE & FURY ( ! WORLD APPE>S SUSP5D$ & 9VITES ! ?\<T ?AT IF ! GLOBE'S ALLEG$ *A9-GANG REQUIREM5TS CAN BE PAUS$ ?US F>1 !N :Y NOT FUR!R8 ,HE CAN ALMO/ FEEL ! MOM5T'S S$IM5T1 CL\DY SI5NA *URN+ UP AB\T HIS TR\S] BOTTOMS1 WAD+ = ! B> TO GET HIS ELB[S ON ! WOOD1 TO WORK HIS %\LD]S 9 AMONG ! TURN$ BACKS & BRAY \T HIS ORD] = A P9T ( BE/4 ,! [N] SWIVELS POND]\SLY FROM HIS BUSY REGI/] TO /UDY ,SN[Y ) AMUS$ ANNOYANCE & !RE'S SOME?+ 9 ! MAN'S FACE ?AT IS MORE FAMILI> & HAS MORE IMPACT ?AN ! O!R C\NT5ANCES ON DISPLAY 9 ?AT E/ABLI%M5T1 :I* 9 !MSELVES ALL H>BOR ! BE=E-SE5 LOOK ( ,TOBY ,JUGS4 ,VIEW$ ?R\< HIS L5S ( TELESCOP+ TIME HE REALIZES ?AT ! PUBLICAN'S PALE EYES & RUBB] FOLDS ( *9 >E MADE MORE RECOGNIZABLE BY ALL ! FUTURE MEET+S ?AT ! TWO ( !M %ALL HAVE3 ! L&LORD IS PREMEMB]$4 ,B>ELY HAVE ! WORDS FA!R-9-LAW BEGUN TO =MULATE !MSELVES 9 HIS SN[-GLOBE AW>5ESS ?AN >\ND ! CORN] FROM ! O!R B> %E COMES1 EXPLODES 9TO HIS /ORY ) A SW+ ( GRE5 SKIRT & SOME CASUAL REM>K AB\T A B>REL ?AT NE$S *ANG+4 ,YES1 ( C\RSE1 ! EM]ALD DRESS & FAT FAKE PE>LS >\ND H] ?ROAT HUNG ON GRAY /R+1 IT ALL COMES BACK TO HIM 9 A BELOV$ RU%1 ?IS WOMAN ?AT HE'S NEV] SE5 BE=E & :5 9 A FEW M9UTES TIME %E SAYS H] NAME'S ,L\ISE HE'LL SAY 0,I KN[04 ,HE WON'T SAY HE'S ) H] DEAD GR&DAU<T] SIX HUNDR$ YE>S AWAY 

AMONG A COMPANY ( PURPLE M5 :OSE HEAV5 IS AN 9DOOR JUNGLE1 /RUTT+ NAK$ 9 ! MIRROR-,$5 ( ?IS LAPS+ WORLD4 ,ON ?OSE OCCASIONS :5 ! GREAT UNFOLD$ G>NET ( A SUN IS VISIBLE BEYOND ! MILE-WIDE NETS ( CREEP] COV]+ ! /UPEFY+ AV5UE1 ! SOL> ORB SEEMS L>G] ?AN IT DID4 ,MAY ?9KS ?AT ?IS IS CAUS$ BY HI<] LEVELS ( P>TICULATES 9 ! SL[LY TRANS=M+ ATMOSPH]E RESULT+ 9 AN 9CREAS$ SCATT]+ ( LI<T1 RA!R ?AN BY AN ACTUAL AMPLIFICATION ( ! />'S DIM5SIONS4 ,RID+ HI< ON H] GR&FA!R'S BONY %\LD]S %E IS BORNE AL(T ?R\< MASSIVELY EXP&$ BOTTLE-TREES1 PREGNANT ) HYP]WAT]1 & AMID ! TIMID PRESS ( VIOLET PYGMIES LIKE A BABY QUE54 ,! FATAL M>MALADE FROM ,SUNDEWS ( BIG-TOP DIAMET] IS H]S TO TA/E1 SO ?AT %E %ORTLY HAS A MOTORCADE ( MON/] DRAGONFLIES TRAIL$ IRIDESC5T & SUSP5D$ 9 H] WAKE1 %>P IRIS OR S\R JADE1 D>T+ TO LAP H] /ICKY *94 ,/ROLL+ 9 ! >BOREAL C5TURIES ) GAP+1 FASC9AT$ FUTURE-HUMANS 9 !IR %RILL MAUVE 5T\RAGE !Y >E ! GIANT <O/S ( AN E>LI] P>ADISE1 *ALK-:ITE & PREHI/ORIC1 BY SOME MEANS >RIV$ ALONG ! ,ATTICS ( ! ,BREA? FROM AN UNREA*ABLY F> LATITUDE ?AT IS NO LONG] EV5 LEG5D>Y4 ,9 GRADUAL 9CREM5TS !Y COME TO UND]/& A LITTLE ( ! NATIVE SPECT]S' TRILL+ SPEE* ?AT R+S & %IV]S 9 ! DRIPP+1 CRY/ALL9E DELAY2 9 ! EXPLOD$ E*O4 ,ONE WORD AT A TIME !Y PIECE TOGE!R SOME?+ ( ! ANTIC HI/ORY ?AT HAS 9=M$ !SE BALD & EMBOSS$ AFT]-PEOPLE1 =AG+ !IR WILD ,ELYSIUM3 A *ANG+ CLIMATE & DEPLET$ OZONE-BELT HAVE1 IT SEEMS1 RELATIVELY SWIFTLY COMP5SAT$ = ! TEMPOR>Y >CTIC *ILL CAUS$ BY ! FAILURE ( ! ,GULF ,/REAM1 9 A M]E FEW HUNDR$ YE>S4 ,! CURR5T ]A IS A TROPIC 9T]M$I>Y /AGE1 :5 ALL ! PLANET'S L+]+ RA9 & VEGETATION IS RE/RICT$ TO ! W>M+ ,POL> ,REGIONS ?AT >E ?US A LA/ ABODE ( E>?LY LIFE4 ,) DW9DL+ RES\RCES & A LIMIT$ HABITABLE 5VIRONM5T1 EV5 A MU*-DIM9I%$ HUMAN POPULATION CANNOT BE SU/A9$ )\T SEV]E MODIFICATIONS4 ,!SE HAVE BE5 ACCOMPLI%$ BY RE-5G9E]+ 9 SOME FA%ION ! ESS5TIAL MORTAL BLUEPR9T1 ) MANK9D AS A RESULT MU* SMALL] & POSSESS+ CELLS IMBU$ ) PHOTO-ACTIVE *LOROPHYLL4 ,! LU/R\S EGGPLANT COLORATION & ! 9TRICATELY CORRUGAT$ SK9 DESIGN$ TO !REBY MAXIMIZE ITS SURFACE >EA >E FEATURES BR$ 9TO ?IS NEW /RA9 ( HUMANITY1 :O SUPPLEM5T DECL9+ RATIONS ( AVAILABLE ORGANIC SU/5ANCE BY GORG+ UPON ! ABUNDANT SUNLI<T4 ,SN[Y & HIS 9FANT *>GE EV5TUALLY D$UCE1 FROM SU* FRAGM5TS ( ANECDOTE AS !Y >E ABLE TO TRANSLATE1 ?AT !SE :ORL$ & EMBELLI%$ NE>-9DIGO M9IATURES HAVE A TRUNCAT$ LIFE EXPECTANCY ( LESS ?AN ?IRTY YE>S BE=E ASC5D+ TO ! HI<] PA/URES1 TO ! ULTRASONIC FLUTT] ?AT IS !IR T]M = ,MANS\L4 ,?IS /RIKES ! S9EWY OLD MAN AS WOEFULLY CURTAIL$ & HIS JUV5ILE PASS5G] AS MORE ?AN G5]\S1 A M9OR >GUM5T BETWE5 !M :ILE !Y W&] FUR!R D[N ! F]N-DEFEAT$ PROM5ADE ) ITS VIRIDIAN DAPPLE & EXT5D$ P]FUMES4 ,!Y PASS ON ?R\< BLOOD-BUR/ DAWNS AFIRE ) P>AKEETS & BULLION SUNSETS ?AT ELECTROPLATE ! PAIR 9 LIQUID GOLD1 PAUS+ AT LA/ TO MAKE CAMP 9 ! RU/L+ MIDNI<T FURLONGS :]E A FACET$ EXTRAVAGANCE ?AT ,MAY ID5TIFIES AS ,HYP]-,SIRIUS IS VISIBLE AGA9/ PIT* BLACK BEYOND ! V9E-MACRAME OV]HEAD4 ,!IR BIV\AC CONSI/S ( MON/R\S BOTTLE-GRE5 LEAVES B5T ACROSS A MOSSY HOLL[ & SECUR$ BY ?ICK BLACK ?ORNS1 !RE 9 ! METAPHYSIC TROPICS AFT] MAN4 ,ON RIS+1 AFT] ! %ORT WALK TO MORN+1 !Y DISCOV] :AT APPE>S TO BE A GR[? ( ,PUCK'S ,HATS SPR\T+ FROM AN UNID5TIFIABLE CORROD$ MASS :I* ,SN[Y ?9KS MI<T BE A FALL5 CEIL+-GIRD]4 ,ONCE AGA9 ! A/RAL FUNGI W\LD APPE> TO HAVE ADAPT$ TO !IR *ANG$ 5VIRONM5T1 DEVELOP+ NEW FEATURES SO AS BETT] TO 5TICE ! ALT]$ HUMANOIDS ( !SE SUN-FLOOD$ PURLIEUS4 ,?IS LATE/ V>IETY IS1 9 ! PAIR'S OP9ION1 ! MO/ ?OR\<LY UNAPPETIZ+ YET4 ,! OV]LAPP+ SUCCUL5T & PALE FEM99E =MS ?AT TYPIFI$ ! E>LI] DISPLAYS HAVE BE5 REPLAC$ H]E BY A SIMIL> >RANGEM5T ( ABNORMALLY L>GE 9SECTS1 LAMP BLACK & YET IRIDESC5T IF !Y'RE TURN$ AGA9/ ! LI<T4 ,! EYE-PIPS >E N[ FACET$1 & AN EXP]IM5TAL NIBBLE AT A SNAPP$-(F ?ORAX HAS BO? ( !M SPITT+ & COMPLA9+ = SOME SEV]AL TIME-MILES AT ! V9EG>Y FLAVOR1 NE> IMPOSSIBLE TO R9SE AWAY4 ,AT !IR NEXT RE/-/OP1 9 ! UMBRA ( A T[]+ & DILAPIDAT$ KETTLE-DRUM CON/RUCTION1 !Y UNFURL !IR WOLFSK9 SACK TO FEA/ ON ! ALB9O 'SN[ QUE5' BLOOMS ?AT !Y'VE COLLECT$ A FEW C5TURIES BACK UP ! TRACK4 ,AT ,MAY'S SUGGE/ION !Y SPIT ! P9K SE$S 9TO ! UND]GR[? AB\T !M1 SO ?AT !RE MI<T BE A COLONY ( FUNGI ?AT >E $IBLE E/ABLI%$ H]E = ! RETURN TRIP1 :5 ! TWO ( !M >E HEAD+ BACK ?IS WAY FROM ! F> 5D ( TIME4 ,9VIGORAT$ BY !IR BREAKFA/ ( ANEMIC BEAUTIES !Y RESUME ! J\RNEY ONCE ! LITTLE GIRL IS SET AGA9 UPON ! BRONZ+ SADDLE ( H] GR&SIRE'S %\LD]S4 ,BLURR+ D[N ! >CADE ( =EV]1 ,MAY REM>KS ?AT !Y >E PASS+ FEW] HUGE MASKS & GASOMET]-SIZ$ BONGOS1 FEW] PURPLE PEOPLE4 ,%E RECALLS 

! EMPTY GRE5 ( ,BECKETT'S ,P>K1 DR[N+ 9 LI<T1 !RE ON ONE ( H] SCANT FIVE HUNDR$ AFT]NOONS4 ,%E HAS NO S5SE ( :]E %E 5DS OR :]E ! WORLD BEG9S1 & HAV+ NEV] SE5 ! LOVELY GOLD5 CRANIUM ?AT EV]YBODY ELSE MAKES SU* A FUSS (1 ,MAY ASSUMES %E IS )\T ONE2 ?AT ! :OLE WID? ( ! DAY & ITS A/\ND+ SKIES >E 9 A MON/R\SLY VA/ GLASS BUBBLE BALANC$ ON H] HEADLESS 9FANT %\LD]S4 ,%E CAN FEEL ! SILV]Y DRAG ( FI%-SK9 CL\DS ACROSS ! BLUE 9SIDE H]1 :ILE ! BIRDSONG IS %>P CITRUS FLUTT]+ ON H] TONGUE & MAKES ,MAY DRIBBLE4 ,%E DOES NOT DISCRIM9ATE BETWE5 ! CLEV]1 COMPLICAT$ H\SE-%APES ON ,VICTORIA ,PROM5ADE'S F> SIDE1 ! POLI%$ F>?+ ( ! SUN OR ! TREES SWAY+1 *IMNEY-HI<1 TO LICK ! W9D4 ,S9CE ALL !SE ?+S >E TO BE F\ND 9SIDE H] ABS5T HEAD ! *ILD SUPPOSES !M TO BE H] ?\<TS1 ?AT ?IS IS :AT ?\<TS LOOK LIKE1 SQU>E ) BLUE SLATE HATS1 OR T9Y & ON FIRE1 OR TALL & :ISP]+4 ,! EI<TE5-MON?-OLD DOES NOT SEP>ATE ?AT SECOND'S SLURPS & %IV]S FROM ITS SC5TS OR %APES OR S\NDS1 CONFUS+ ! A/HMATIC DI/ANT SKIRL ( AN ACCORDION & ! MEASUR$ PROGRESSION ( ! LITTLE GAS-LAMPS JU/ ACROSS ! ROAD1 ) BO? PH5OM5A FROM H] P]SPECTIVE BE+ ?+S ?AT SEEM TO ROLL D[N AV5UES4 ,!N IT'S A DIFF]5T 9/ANT1 ) NO GAS-ACCORDION :EEZ+ \T ITS WR\<T-IRON NOTES AT 9T]VALS ALONG ! /REET1 & :]E 9DE$ ! /REET ITSELF IS VANI%$ & =GOTT5 AS ! *ILD DISCOV]S %E IS MOV+ 9 A NEW DIRECTION ?AT 5TAILS A DIFF]5T VI/A4 ,FLOAT+ EF=TLESSLY A FEW FEET ABOVE ! SURF HISS ( ! C>PET-GRASS1 DESC5D+ SL[LY TO ! M9IATURE DOMA9 ( FUR!R-(F ) ITS TOY HUTS & %RUBS & PA9T-FLECK DAISIES1 ,MAY DOESN'T REMEMB] ?AT %E'S BE+ C>RI$ 9 H] MO!R'S >MS UNTIL ! BOBBLE-COAT$ *OCOLATE DROP IS PUT 9TO H] M\?4 ,! W>M ACCOMPANY+ MAT]NAL MUMBLE MELT+ ON ! BABY'S TONGUE IS LIKE ! CREAMY SWEETNESS 9 H] E>S4 ,AS %E EXPLORES ! V>ICOLOR$ BEADS ( SUG> SPECKL+ ! CONFECTION'S UPP] SURFACE1 ! S5SATION BECOMES 9EXTRICABLE FROM ! PO9TILLI/ BLUR-BUR/ ( A NE>BY FL[]B$ ?AT ,MAY HAPP5S TO BE GAZ+ AT & %E'S IMM]S$ 9 AN UNDIFF]5TIAT$ GLORY4 ,%E & ! BIG FAVORITE BODY ?AT'S CALL$ ,MAY AS WELL & :I* %E'S A DETA*ABLE COMPON5T ( SEEM TO BE /&+ ON A HICCUP 9 ! G+] GRAVEL UND]FOOT1 A BUMP ) RAIL+S :]E !IR PA? SQUIRTS 9 A /ONY >C OV] A RIV] LIKE A V]Y LONG OLD WOMAN1 SPLA%+ ON ITS FUR!R BANK TO TRICKLE (F 9 PEBBLE TRACKS AMONG ! WE$S4 ,ONE ( ! SYLLABLES H] MO!R COOS IS 0SWAN01 A S\ND ?AT />TS (F ) A SLIC+ :OO% !N CURVES AWAY 9TO A /ATELY GLIDE1 & SOME?+ SOMEH[ FL>ES 9TO EXI/5CE 9 ! PRIVATE C5T] ( ,MAY'S CONT9UITY1 A ?RILL+ :ITE IDEA ?AT FLAPS UP 9TO <O/LY BE+1 MAK+ A COMMOTION4 ,SWAN4 ,! WORD IS ! EXP]I5CE & IT DOESN'T MATT] IF %E SEES ONE N[ OR NOT4 ,%IFT+ H] WEI<T1 ,MAY LOSES H]SELF & =GOES ! UNIV]SE 9 FAVOR ( ! FRECKLES ON H] MO!R'S ?ROAT4 ,A SPITTLE SPRAY ( T(FEE ISLES ADRIFT UPON A D]MAL OCEAN1 FLOAT$ ON ITS P9PRICK RIPPLES1 EA* SPOT HAS ITS [N UNIQUE ID5TITY SE5 FROM AN 9* AWAY4 ,?IS ONE IS LIKE A SMOKY LION'S HEAD YAWN+1 ?IS ONE LIKE A PIECE ( BROK5 HORSE%OE1 EA* NO BIGG] ?AN A GRA9 ( SALT4 ,%E FOCUSES ON !IR IMPLI$ GEOGRAPHY1 ON ! RELATION%IP BETWE5 !SE DI/9CT & M9USCULE ATOLLS4 ,DO !Y KN[ EA* O!R8 ,>E ! ONES CLOSE/ TOGE!R FRI5DS8 ,!N !RE'S ! OV]ALL >RANGEM5T TO CONSID]1 PREORDA9$ & P]FECT1 EA* SPOT :]E IT %\LD BE ON A MAP ?AT'S H]E =EV]1 PURPOSEFUL & ANCI5T LIKE ! CON/ELLATIONS OR ! MUSICAL P]IODICITY ( LAMPPO/S4 ,! GIANT BEAUTY CRADLES ,MAY ?R\< TIME1 ?R\< SUMM] ) ! D&ELION-CLOCKS GO+ (F LIKE /EAM GR5ADES4 ,!RE >E SO MANY LEAVES & BRAN*ES TO BE> WITNESS TO1 SO MANY BREEZES TO BE MET & ALL ) DIFF]5T P]SONALITIES1 ?AT IT'S A MILLION MILLION YE>S BE=E !Y'RE BACK 9 ! SAME MOM5T ON ! BRIDGE AGA9 BUT ?IS TIME )\T *OCOLATE DROPS & CROSS+ IT ! O!R WAY1 FROM :I* A NEW & UNFAMILI> T[N IS VISIBLE4 ,A DIFF]5T ANGLE IS A DIFF]5T PLACE1 & SPACE IS TIME4 ,H] FUTURE MOM5TS >E ! FUNNY L& 9 FRONT ( H] :]E LITTLE ?+S GET BIGG]1 NOT LIKE 9 ! FUNNY L& BEH9D H] :]E ! ?+S ?AT SEEM$ SO L>GE GET LITTL] & LITTL] UNTIL !Y'RE GONE 9TO A DU/-SIZ$ PA/1 %E DOESN'T KN[ EXACTLY :]E4 ,9F9ITESIMAL1 ! ANT-C[S FROM A M9UTE OR TWO'S TIME MATURE TO M\SE-C[S & !N SUDD5LY >E OLD 5\< = H] TO SEE !IR EYELA%ES & TO SMELL :]E !Y'VE DONE !IR BUS9ESS1 />+ )\T 9T]E/ AT ,MAY OV] ! TOP GATE-B> ( ! CATTLE M>KET'S WOOD5 B>RI]S4 ,! FRUIT-&-PEPP] /9K SURR\ND+ H]1 NOT 9 ITSELF UNPLEASANT1 IS ATTEMPT+ TO 9=M H] ( ITS NOBLE HI/ORIES & PUNG5T LEG5D BUT ! BUZZ+ BLACK DOTS ( ! /ORY'S PUNCTUATION MAKE IT H>D TO UND]/& & SO H] MO!R WAVES IT ALL AWAY4 ,! BREA/ & B\NCE & RHY?M ( ,MAY'S PASSAGE LULLS ! DAY 9TO A DI/ANCE AS IF IT'S A PICTURE 9 A CONFISCAT$ RAG-BOOK4 ,NE>BY HOOVES & COBBLES DROP ! VOLUME ( !IR CONV]SATION AS A C\RTESY1 & %E'S EXHAU/$ JU/ FROM ALL ! BREA?+ & ! />+4 ,LUM9\S P9K CURTA9S BRIEFLY DROP ON ! !AT] ( REAL ?+S1 & ,MAY IS HURRI$ ?R\< A FASC9AT+ BUT 9COMPREH5SIBLE SC5>IO 9 :I* 

A BABY GIRL IS GALLOP+ AN OLD MAN D[N A F>-(F =EIGN C5TURY AFT] ! PEOPLE & ! AFT]-PEOPLE HAVE ALL GONE1 >BOREAL DECADES TRAMPL$ 9 !IR GALLIVANT4 ,! DI/ANT WALLS ( ! IMMEASURABLE EMPORIUM1 :]E !SE >E VISIBLE BETWE5 ! BAOBABS & MODIFI$ ACACIAS1 >E !MSELVES N[ ONLY /OCKADE R[S ( MON/] TREE TRUNKS ) NO TRAD+ PO/S OR O!R SIGNS ( /RUCTUR$ >TIFICE APP>5T4 ,EVID5TLY NO?+ HUMAN OR PO/-HUMAN LIVES & DREAMS 9 ! 9F]IOR T]RITORY ,D[N/AIRS1 ! HO?\SE BAY\S ?AT W]E =M]LY ! ,BOR\<S4 ,PO9T+ TO ! WOOD-WEB OV]HEAD & ! UNFOLD$ SKY BEYOND1 ,MAY DRAWS H] RAC+ GR&FA!R'S ATT5TION TO ! LACK ( EI!R BIRDS OR BIRDSONG4 ,)\T BREAK+ FROM HIS LOP+ /RIDE HE HAZ>DS ?AT ?IS ABS5CE MI<T IMPLY A DREADFUL & ILLIMITABLE CASCADE ( EXT9CTIONS4 ,!Y RUN ON 9 SIL5CE = A :ILE1 EA* 9W>DLY CONSID]+ ?IS SOMB] POSSIBILITY & TRY+ TO DET]M9E H[ !Y FEEL AB\T !IR SPECIES VANI%+ ALONG ) A GREAT TORR5T ( ITS FELL[ LIFE =MS1 SLUIC$ 9TO ! DRA9AGE DIT* ( BIOLOGIC OBSOLESC5CE4 ,SN[Y 9 ! 5D CONCLUDES HE'S NOT MU* BO!R$1 B>E FEET P\ND+ \T ! YE>S ( UNRE/RICT$ LI*54 ,EV]Y?+1 HE REASONS1 HAS ITS L5G? 9 TIME1 ITS L+]1 :E!R ?AT %\LD BE AN 9DIVIDUAL1 A SPECIES OR A GEOLOGIC ]A4 ,EV]Y LIFE & EV]Y MOM5T HAS ITS [N LOCATION2 /ILL !RE SOME:]E BACK ALONG ?IS 5DLESS L(T4 ,IT'S ONLY H]E ?AT MANK9D IS NO MORE1 & :5 HE & HIS GR&DAU<T] AT LA/ COME BACK ! O!R WAY ) !IR PREPO/]\S PILGRIMAGE COMPLETE HE KN[S ! C5TURIES :]E ,E>? IS HABITABLE WILL BE WAIT+ = !M1 BACK AT HOME AMONG ! SEMPIT]NAL MOO*]S & IMMORTAL RU/$ DRA9PIPES ( !IR [N TIMES1 !IR [N WORN-\T NEI<BORHOOD ( HEAV54 ,EV]Y?+ IS SAV$1 ! S9N]S1 SA9TS & BREADCRUMBS UND]NEA? ! C\* ALIKE1 ALBEIT NOT 9 ! CONV5TIONAL RELIGI\S S5SE ( ?AT EXPRESSION3 EV]Y?+ IS SAV$ 9 SPACETIME'S F\RFOLD GLASS1 )\T REQUIREM5T ( A SAVIOR4 ,SN[Y ?UND]S ON 9 ! G5]AL DIRECTION ( ! NEXT MILL5NIUM1 :I*EV] ?AT MI<T BE1 ) HIS EXQUISITE PASS5G] BUMP+ & JIGG+ ON H] WOLF-HIDE SADDLE /UFF$ FULL ( ANEMIC FUNGUS-FAIRIES4 ,ONLY :5 !Y NOTICE ?AT DESPITE ! LACK ( ANY AVIAN PRES5CE !RE IS YET ! PLA9TIVE SQUEAL ( SONG REV]B]AT+ 9 ! UNPACK$ AUDITORY SPACE ( ! GREAT CORRIDOR DO !Y SL[ TO A HALT1 PREV5T+ !M FROM RU%+ AT FULL TILT 9TO ! POD ( MOSS :ALES4 ,TRAIL+ EM]ALD COIFFURES ( ALGAE1 ! H&SOME & PO/HUM\S LEVIA?ANS CRAWL POND]\SLY ACROSS A PO/-HI/ORIC CLE>+ ?R\< ! P9K LI<T ( ANO!R HYP]DAWN1 CALL+ TO ONE ANO!R 9 !IR E]IE RAD>-SON> VOICES4 ,AW$ & DUMB/RUCK ! TWO TRAVEL]S NOTE ?AT :ILE ! CREATURES' MASSIVE L[] JAWS & RELATIVELY T9Y BACK-SET EYES >E UND5IABLY CETACEAN1 ALL APPE> TO COME EQUIPP$ ) AN 5ORM\S PAIR ( =W>D-?RU/+ HORNS1 BR[-M\NT$ TUSKS ?AT PU% TO ONE SIDE ANY OV]HANG+ BRAN*ES :I* OB/RUCT !IR PA?4 ,ADDITIONALLY1 BO? !IR ANT]IOR & PO/]IOR FLIPP]S SEEM TO HAVE ADAPT$ 9TO /UBBY LEGS ?AT T]M9ATE 9 B>NACLE-5CRU/$ HOOVES1 EA* ONE ! SIZE ( A BONE OMNIBUS1 RHY?MICALLY SPL9T]+ ! WORLD'S-5D VEGETATION AS LIKE GRAY-GRE5 GLACI]S !Y CONT9UE !IR PROTRACT$ SLI!R1 (F AMONG ! ,BROBD+NAGIAN TREES4 ,RESUM+ !IR POT5TIALLY UN5D+ EXP$ITION AT A CAUTI\S WALK+ PACE1 ! TEMPORAL P$E/RIANS 5GAGE 9 HEAT$ SPECULATION AS TO ! MO/ LIKELY ORIG9S ( ! EXTRAORD9>Y FUTURE-ORGANISMS4 ,SN[Y POSITS A SC5>IO 9 :I* ! DRY+ ( ! PLANET'S OCEANS HAS PRECIPITAT$ A MIGRATION ( ! MORE ADAPTABLE M>9E LIFE ONTO L& 9 SE>* ( SU/5ANCE1 BUT HE CANNOT EXPLA9 ! GL>+ 9CONGRUITY ( HORNS & HOOVES4 ,AFT] SOME COGITATION1 ,MAY SUGGE/S ?AT IF :ALES >E AIR-BREA?+ MAMMALS ?AT *OSE TO RETURN TO ! AQUATIC /ATE FROM :I* ALL LIFE ORIG9ATES1 IT MAY BE ?AT DUR+ !IR BRIEF ADV5TURE AS L&-ANIMALS !Y W]E RELAT$ BIOLOGICALLY TO SOME UNLIKELY G5US SU* AS1 = EXAMPLE1 AN ANCE/OR ( ! GOAT4 ,! :ITE-HAIR$ ANCI5T CROOKS HIS NECK TO SQU9T UP AT HIS RID] & DET]M9E IF %E'S JOK+1 ?\< %E NEV] IS4 ,!Y C>RY ON1 & PRES5TLY ,SN[Y'S HYPO!SIS ( B\NDLESS SEAS R$UC$ TO SALT FLATS PROMPT+ A MIGRATION ONTO DRY GR\ND IS CONFIRM$ BY GLIMPSES ( ! P]IOD'S O!R MEGA-FAUNA1 OR AT LEA/ ?AT FAUNA'S A/RAL RESIDUE4 ,MILL+ AB\T ONE ( ! N[ IRREGUL>LY-CONT\R$ AP]TURES SET 9 ! >CADE'S CREEP]-COV]$ FLOOR1 ,MAY NOTICES ! SPECT]S ( TEAK-BR[N CRU/ACEANS ) %ELLS F\R FEET 9 DIAMET]1 LIKE AMBULATORY TABLES4 ,LAT]1 !Y EXP]I5CE A MOM5T ( BREA?TAK+ WOND] :5 ! TRACT ( =E/ T[>DS :I* !Y HAPP5 TO BE WALK+ SUDD5LY UNCOILS ITSELF1 ! DETAIL$ SC5E & ITS APP>5T DEP? DETA*+ FROM ! BACKGR\ND TO REVEAL A SKY-SCRAP+ CEPHALOPOD1 A T[]+ ULTRA-SQUID P]FECTLY CAM\FLAG$ AGA9/ ITS AFT]LIFE SURR\ND BY MEANS ( ! EVOLV$ PIGM5T-RECEPTORS 9 ITS SK94 ,%IFT$ TO A PRESUMABLY MORE COM=TABLE POSITION1 NEXT ! T5TACL$ IMM5SITY ADJU/S ITS %IMM]+ DISGUISE1 ITS SURFACE A SPECTACUL>LY ANIMAT$ ,SEURAT WA% ( COLORS ?AT RESOLVES 9TO AN ALMO/ PHOTOGRAPHIC REPRODUCTION ( ! 5DLESS AV5UE AB\T !M4 ,SN[Y IS REM9D$ ( ! %IFT+ PICTURES 9 ! FIRE :5 HE'S ONLY 

A LITTLE BOY 9 ,LAMBE?1 WAIT+ = HIS FA!R TO GET HOME FROM WORK4 ,ALL DAY LONG ! ,OCTOB] RA9'S BE5 FALL+ FROM ! BROK5 GUTT]+ TO SPATT] NOISILY UPON ! LAVATORY'S SLATE RO(1 D[N AT ! BOTTOM ( ! Y>D \TSIDE4 ,JOHN ,V]NALL1 TWO YE>S1 GETT+ ON = ?REE YE>S OLD1 SITS BY ! HE>? & RUBS HIS PALMS TOGE!R UNTIL ! MY/]I\S ROLL$-\T ?READS ( LICORICE MUCK APPE> = HIM TO BRU% AWAY OR PLAY )4 ,HE'S BE5 WAT*+ DROPLETS ON ! C5TURY-OLD W9D[PANE ?AT HAS A FA9T GRE5 9 ITS ?ICKNESS1 /UDY+ ! =M ( ! SL[-CRAWL+ DIAMONDS1 AN 5?RALL$ SPECTATOR AT A LIQUID HORS]ACE4 ,SOME ( ! W9D-DRIV5 BEADS GO D[N AT ! FIR/ HURDLE1 FAIL+ TO COMPLETE !IR LONG DIAGONAL TRAJECTORY OV] ! GLASS1 !IR FLUID SUB/ANCE DW9DL$ & EXHAU/$ LONG BE=E !Y REA* ! DI/RESS$ WOOD5 FRAME ?AT IS !IR F9I% L9E4 ,!N !RE >E PLUMP] GLOBULES ?AT APPE> TO BE MORE PR$ATORY & COMPETITIVE1 ?AT HUNGRILY ABSORB ! HYDR\S LEAV+S ( !IR FALL5 COLLEAGUES &1 ) MASS REPL5I%$ & 9CREAS$ MOM5TUM1 ROLL MAJE/ICALLY ACROSS ! GLI/5+ FIELD TO EASY VICTORY4 ,:5 F9ALLY ?IS 9CONCLUSIVE WAT]-D]BY CEASES TO BE 5T]TA9+1 ,JOHN SQUATS ON ! HOMEMADE RUG BESIDE ! FIRE & TURNS HIS W&]+ ATT5TION TO ! MONUM5TAL ,BIBLE ILLU/RATIONS FL>+ 9TO MOM5T>Y BE+1 5GRAV$ ,DORE VI/AS D[N BETWE5 ! SULK+ COALS4 ,GOMORRAH'S DOOM LIFTS 9 A GRAY VEIL FROM ! SPLITT+ AN?RACITE1 :ILE ON ?OSE WOOD OR PAP] REMNANTS US$ TO />T ! BLAZE ! TWI/+ BLACK FLAKES >E RECANT+ SIMONI/S1 ADULT]]S OR VIRTU\S PAGANS SUFF]+ !IR DISP>ATE >CS ( ! ,9F]NO4 ,9 ! CORUSCATION & ! CR9KL+ RUBY LI<T1 A%-BE>D$ PROPHETS WORK !IR SCOR*-M>K LIPS UNFA?OMABLY1 !IR W>N+S SNAT*$ AWAY 9TO ! *IMNEY'S :I/L+ ?ROAT1 & SOME:]E 9 ANO!R L& HIS MO!R & HIS GR&MO!R >E SNAPP+ AT EA* O!R OV] :]E ! MONEY'S TO BE F\ND = ?IS OR ?AT4 ,HIS BABY SI/] ,?URSA GRIZZLES1 FITFUL 9 H] WICK]-BASKET CRIB1 H] /RAWB]RY %RUNK5 MONKEY FACE CL5*$ TO A FI/1 DISCONSOLATE & ANXI\S EV5 9 H] SLEEP1 C[$ BY ! WORLD & ALL ! />TL+ S\NDS IT MAKES4 ,!RE'S SOME?+ QUE] AB\T ! DRE>Y FLAVOR ( ! 9/ANT & ! SMALL BOY F9DS HIMSELF CAU<T 9 A FOG ( 9DI/9CT PRES5TIM5T ?AT'S 9DI/+UI%ABLE FROM A DAYLI<T-FAD$ MEMORY1 ! DETAILS BLEA*$ \T LIKE ! PATT]N ON !IR TABLECLO?4 ,HASN'T HE HAD ?IS D>K5+ AFT]NOON BE=E1 ) ,?URSA MAK+ ?OSE SPECIFIC NOISES 9 H] CRIB1 ) ,%ADRA* & ! PLAGUES ( ,EGYPT 9 ! FIRELI<T1 !N A SIZZL+ CAT1 !N A VOLCANO8 ,JU/ BE=E %E UTT]S !M1 ,JOHN KN[S HIS GR&MO!R'S NEXT ANGRY WORDS TO HIS & ,?URSA'S VOLUBLY UPBRAID$ MO!R WILL CONTA9 ! PUZZL+ PHRASE 0NO BETT] ?AN Y\ %\LD BE01 & HE IS UNEASILY AW>E ?AT ! MO/ ?UND]\S ELEM5T ( !SE PRECISELY SYN*RONIZ$ & RAPIDLY COAGULAT+ CIRCUM/ANCES IS NOT YET 9 PLACE4 ,?AT WONDR\S & T]RIBLE EV5T1 HE ?9KS1 UNW9DS FROM \T ! COMPLICAT$ CLICK & RATTLE ( HIS FA!R'S LAT*KEY :I* HE CAN HE> EV5 N[ (F D[N ! PASSAGEWAY1 COMM5C+ ITS 9SIDI\S T9KLE 9 ! FRONT DOOR'S ME*ANISM AS A PRELUDE TO ! COM+ SYMPHONY1 ! IRREVOCABLE UNLOCK+ ( A NEW & CATACLYSMIC WORLD4 ,HIS MO!R LEAVES H] CONFRONTATION 9 ! KIT*5 TO F9D \T :AT'S HAPP5+ & ! AVALAN*E ( ! OCCASION SMA%ES ?R\< !IR ,EA/ ,/REET HOME2 R$UCES ALL ! ORD] ( !IR LIVES TO AN UNDIFF]5TIAT$ PANIC MAT*WOOD4 ,!RE IS A COMMOTION 9 ! PASSAGE1 ) HIS MO!R'S VOICE ASC5D+ FROM A CONFUS$ & UNCOMPREH5D+ MUMBLE TO A GASP+1 DEVA/AT$ WAIL4 ,! UPRO> BUR/S 9TO ! LIV+ ROOM ACCOMPANI$ BY ,JOHN'S %EET-PALLID MO!R & TWO M5 ! *ILD HAS NEV] SE5 BE=E1 ONE ( :OM IS HIS FA!R4 ,IT'S NOT JU/ ! FL\R-SPILL HAIR :]E ONCE W]E COPP] B$SPR+S ?AT HAS MADE A /RANG] ( HIS P>5T1 MORE ! *ANGE 9 :AT HE SAYS & H[ HE /&S & :O HE IS4 ,!RE'S LOTS ( GE/UR+ & DRAW+ CIRCLES 9 ! AIR4 ,!RE'S AN UNREEL+ LI/ ( MADCAP TOPICS ?AT ! SIL5T *ILD SOMEH[ ALREADY KN[S BE=E !Y'RE SPOK51 A TIRADE ( *IMNEYPOTS1 GEOMETRY & LI<TN+1 TR\BL+ PHRASES ?AT NOBODY SEEMS TO PAY ATT5TION TO3 0,IT'S M\? WAS MOV+ 9 ! PA9T40 ,JOHN'S GR&MO!R EM]GES FROM AMONG ! /EAM+ SAUCEPANS1 %\T+ ANGRILY AT ! ROTUND & FLORID BALD MAN :O'S RETURN$ H] SON TO H] 9 ?IS DISMANTL$ /ATE1 AS IF SUFFICI5T 9DIGNATION MI<T /ILL SOMEH[ PUT H] (FSPR+ BACK ! WAY HE WAS2 AS IF 9SI/+ ON AN EXPLANATION C\LD =CE SU* A ?+ 9TO EXI/5CE4 ,9 ! EMB]S N[ ,JOHN NOTICES A CRUMBL+ SPH9X ON FIRE1 A M>TYR+1 A POPPY BANQUET4 ,EV]YONE EXCEPT = HIM IS WEEP+4 ,HALT+LY & 9COMPLETELY1 IT BEG9S TO DAWN UPON HIM ?AT NOBODY SAVE = HE HIMSELF & POSSIBLY HIS BABY SI/] WAS EXPECT+ ?IS TO HAPP54 ,! IDEA IS AS 9CONCEIVABLE AS IF ,JOHN W]E ! ONLY P]SON 9 ! :OLE ( ,LONDON :O C\LD HE>1 ! ONLY P]SON :O HAD EV] NOTIC$ CL\DS OR REALIZ$ ?AT NI<T FOLL[S DAY4 ,! PEOPLE & ! FURNITURE & VOICES 9 ! PEEL+-PAP] ,LAMBE? LIV+ ROOM >E LIKE AN 9DOOR HURRICANE ( TE>S & WAV+ H&S1 ) AT ITS EPIC5T] ,JOHN'S NEW :ITE-HAIR$ FA!R /&+ & REPEAT+ ! WORD 0TORUS0 DAZ$LY1 ! %APE ( ?+S TO COME4 ,RETURN+ HIS ATT5TION TO ! FIRE HE HAS ! FUGITIVE IMPRESSION ( R$ LI<T & TRAIL+ D>KNESS 

9 A SUNSET >BOR FOLL[+ ! WORLD & ,SN[Y'S WEA!R$1 ALMO/ CORRUGAT$ ?I<S >E DAPPL$ BY SLID+ & ELONGAT$ ROSE ELLIPSES1 AN ELEGIAC RADIANCE FILT]+ ?R\< SCULPT$ VOIDS 9 ! WAX$ D9N]-PLATE LEAVES ( ! CANOPY ABOVE HIM4 ,) HIS D>L+ BURD5 HE /RIDES ON 9TO A REPRIZ$ CRYPTOZOIC1 ALL ( HI/ORY 9 HIS BLI/]S4 ,= A P]IOD !Y TRAVEL 9 ! MID/ ( AN 9QUISITIVE & SCUTTL+ COMPANY3 ! AMIABLE %ADES ( TABLE-CRABS :O SEEM TO BE 5DEAVOR+ TO COMMUNICATE BY TAPP+ AN ADAPT$ =E-CLAW ON ! MOSS-OCCLUD$ BO>DS ( ! IMMORTAL B\LEV>D1 AN 9>TICULATE CRU/ACEAN ,MORSE4 ,RID+ H] GR&FA!R AS IF ATOP A H[DAH ! GRAVE EI<TE5-MON?-OLD PRODIGY QUOTES ,WITTG5/E91 TO ! EFFECT ?AT EV5 IF A LION C\LD SPEAK1 MANK9D W\LD NOT BE CAPABLE ( UND]/&+ IT4 ,AS IF 9 MUTE ACKN[L$GM5T ( ?IS P]SUASIVE OBS]VATION PRES5TLY ! 5T\RAGE ( FURNITURE-SIZ$ >?ROPODS AB&ON !IR ATTEMPTS AT CONV]SATION1 LOS+ 9T]E/1 CLATT]+ AWAY 5 MASSE BETWE5 ! MON/R\S BOLLS ( ?AT T]M9AL OR*>D4 ,EV]Y?+ IS DOOM$ ) BEAUTY4 ,LAT] !RE >E FUR!R :ALE-GOATS & A HUGE TREE-MIMICK+ V>IETY ( OCTOPUS ?AT !Y'VE NOT PREVI\SLY 5C\NT]$1 ) IMPASSIVE G>NET EYES EASILY MISS$ 9 ! SURR\ND+ COLUMN ( B>K-PATT]N$ SK91 & LIV]-COLOR$ SUCK]S ON :AT FIR/ SEEM TO BE OV]HANG+ B\<S4 ,MAY =MALLY PROPOSES !Y %\LD CALL ! SPECIES ,YGGDRASIL AFT] ! ,NORDIC WORLD-TREE1 GIV5 ?AT TAXONOMY ITSELF WILL SURELY BE EXT9CT BY N[ & ?AT ! SPL5DID CREATURE ?US MU/ O!RWISE GO NAMELESS 9 ET]NITY4 ,! MOTION1 AFT] A DEBATE & VOTE1 IS PASS$ UNANIM\SLY :]EUPON ! BABY & H] WR9KL$ /E$ P]SI/ ) !IR EXCURSION ?R\< ! F9AL FOLIAGE1 AMONG 9CURI\S MON/]S4 ,AFT] WAD+ 9 ! MAGMA ( F\R ?\S& S]IAL DAWNS ,SN[Y & ,MAY ELECT TO MAKE !IR TEMPOR>Y B$ AMID ! %IV]+ MIMOSAS ( A TWILI<T MILE SOME:]E 9 ! NEXT C5TURY1 IF 9DE$ !RE >E C5TURIES ANYMORE4 ,AS ! OLD MAN REM>KS :ILE FA%ION+ A %ELT] FROM ! %IRK+ GRE5]Y1 ! BASE-T5 C\NT+ SY/EM & CONCEIVABLY ! :OLE ( MA!MATICS MU/ HAVE SURELY DISAPPE>$ FROM ! 9F]IOR T]RITORIES D[N/AIRS BY N[4 ,FROM ?IS PO9T ON1 :]E SCI5CE & FAI? & >T & EV5 LOVE >E ONLY FOSSIL MEMORIES1 HE & HIS GR&DAU<T] MU/ V5TURE PA/ ! 5D ( MEASUREM5T ITSELF1 P]HAPS EV5 BEYOND ! UNAVOIDABLE DEMISE ( MEAN+4 ,! UNLIKELY PAIR CONSID] ?IS NEW1 UNSUSPECT$ L[] REGI/] ( DESOLATION :IL/ !Y MESSILY DEV\R !IR LA/ REMA9+ SPECIM5S ( SN[-QUE5 ,B$LAM ,J5NIES1 PRUD5TLY EXPECTORAT+ ! P9K EYEBALL-PIPS 9TO ! FL9*+ & FA/IDI\S VEGETATION TREMBL+ AB\T !M4 ,AT ! BOTTOM ( !IR WOLFSK9 TUCK]-BAG !RE >E N[ ONLY A FEW SNAPP$-(F *ORUS GIRL LIMBS MU* LIKE %APELY & ANEMIC DOLL-P>TS1 ) A SP>KL+ DRAGONFLY DEBRIS ( W+S4 ,ABOVE1 CUT 9TO SLICES & TRAPEZOH$RONS BY ! SILH\ETT$ BRAN*ES1 AN UNFOLD$ CON/ELLATION ?AT IS POSSIBLY HYP]-,ORION - ,SN[Y NOTICES ?REE DISPLAC$ REPETITIONS ( ! FAM\S BELT - IS /RET*$ ACROSS ! SETTL+ 9DIGO1 A MAL=M$ TESS]ACT ( ANCI5T LI<TS4 ,REPLETE & COM=TABLY SLUGGI% AFT] !IR FUNGAL REPA/1 ! JUICE ( T9Y WOM5 /ICKY ON !IR *9S1 !Y SLIDE 9TO ! HYPNAGOGIC DRIFTS ( <O/-SLEEP MUMBL+ & HOLD+ H&S4 ,>\ND !IR HIDE >E BRITTLE CRUN*ES1 FRACTUR+S1 REPORTS DI/ANTLY AUDIBLE BEYOND ! BLURR$ P]IPH]IES ( !IR AW>5ESS1 PROBABLY ! CR+ES & CONTRACTIONS ( ! C[]+ %RUBB]Y )9 :I* !Y >E NE/$ & SO SWIFTLY FILT]$ \T BY A REC$+ CONSCI\SNESS4 ,GORG$ UPON VISION>Y >CTIC TRUFFLES BO? ! BABY & H] ANCE/OR >E BORNE ON AN EIDETIC SURF ( FA]IE IMAG]Y1 UNW9D+ MADH\SE DIORAMAS ) A M9IATURI/ 9TRICACY ?AT IS BOTTOMLESS & SOMETIMES BORD]S ON ! T]RIFY+3 AT HALLUC9ATORY ,ELIZABE?AN FRO/-FAIRS /& B>E-BREA/$ LADIES 9 PREPO/]\SLY L>GE HOOP$ CR9OL9ES ) DECORATIVE MOTIF SN[FLAKES MADE ( LACE >\ND ! HEMS4 ,EA* HAS A FLATT5$ PALM RAIS$ TO FACE LEVEL = 9SPECTION1 SMIL+ 9 DELI<T AT ! SCALE REPRODUCTION ( H]SELF ?AT SEEMS TO BALANCE !RE1 COMPLETE 9 EV]Y DETAIL1 BEAM+ D[N APPROV+LY AT ! ALMO/ 9F9ITESIMAL HOMUNCULUS P]*$ ON H] [N H&1 PE]+ 9TO A V]TIG9\S REGRESSION ( EXCRUCIAT+ & EXQUISITE PUL*RITUDE1 A MESM]IZ+ VORTEX ( WAN FEM99ITY4 ,!SE >E ! DREAMS ! DEAD HAVE :5 !Y'RE ,PUCK-DRUNK4 ,AFT] AN 9CALCULABLE 9T]VAL !Y %RUG AWAY !IR GEM-5CRU/$ DR[SE1 REFRE%$ DESPITE ! ,MIDSUMM] ,NI<T ALKALIS ?AT HAVE BE5 C\RS+ ?R\< !IR SLUMB]+ E!REAL SY/EMS4 ,WAK+1 UNSURPRIS+LY1 TO ! SAME %ADE ( DUSK 9 :I* !Y B$D$ D[N1 NOT UNTIL ,SN[Y LIFTS !IR WOLF-PELT SAT*EL DO !Y REALIZE ) BEWILD]M5T ?AT :ILE !Y NAPP$ ! PREVI\SLY ALMO/-EMPTY SACK HAS BE5 MY/]I\SLY REPL5I%$1 FILL$ N[ TO ITS BRIM ) AN UNUSUALLY PICTURESQUE MASS GRAVE ( CONJO9$ ,?UMBEL9AS4 ,/ILL MORE 9EXPLICABLY !SE >E NOT ! ALB9O /RA9 RESPONSIBLE = !IR NOCTURNAL VISITATIONS1 BUT >E RA!R ! MORE RUDDILY-COMPLEXION$ TYPE FAMILI> FROM ! TRAVEL]'S [N N[-REMOTE HOME C5TURY4 ,NOT WI%+ TO EXAM9E !IR GIFT HORSE'S D5TI/RY ! BONY VET]AN TIES ! PIXIE-BAG AB\T HIS %\LD]S1 CR\*+ :ILE ,MAY CLIMBS ABO>D4 ,IT CALLS TO M9D 

HIM & HIS Y\NG 'UN ,?URSA *UFF+ ?R\< ! ,LAMBE? *ILL TO SEE !IR FA!R1 LOCK$ AWAY 9 ,B$LAM1 ) ! SIBL+S' W>M BREA? CRY/ALLIZ+ TO GRAY COMMAS 9 !IR WAKE4 ,BE+ AT T5 YE>S OLD ! S5IOR ( ! TWO ,JOHN IS 9 *>GE1 T[+ HIS CROON+ & DI/RACT$ Y\NG] SI/] D[N ! FOGB\ND LANES BY ONE SWEAT-SLIPPY H&4 ,!Y SKIRT >\ND ! ,TEMP]ANCE REVIVALI/S & NE']-DO-WELLS1 ! CLU/]$ CORN] CONF]5CES AB\T ! ,KAIS] OR ,ALSACE-,LORRA9E1 AVOID+ ?OSE 9SANITIES !Y'RE NOT IMM$IATELY RELAT$ TO4 ,NOVEMB] SCALDS HIS S9USES & ,?URSA DRAGS ANNOY+LY1 W9D+ H] DRE>Y HALF-A-SONG 9 A DAMP SKE9 AMONG ! T\<S & GAS-LAMPS4 0,%UT UP1 Y\1 OR ,I %AN'T TAKE Y\ TO SEE ,DAD40 ,! EI<T-YE>-OLD IS L(TILY 9DIFF]5T1 SCREWS H] NOSE 9TO A LITTLE CONC]T9A ( DI/A/E3 0,DON'T C>E4 ,DON'T WUNN] SEE 'IM4 ,?IS IS :5 HE TELLS US AB\T ALL ! *IMNEYPOTS & NUMB]S40 ,JOHN DOESN'T REPLY BUT ONLY DRAGS H] ) MORE =CE1 ACROSS ! COBBLES ) !IR O*] >*IPELAGOS ( %IT1 BETWE5 ! RUMBL+ WAGONS1 FROM MIASMA TO MIASMA4 ,?\< HE HASN'T HAD A CONSCI\S ?\<T AB\T ! SUBJECT BE=E ,?URSA SPEAKS ?OSE EXACT WORDS1 !Y FALL UPON HIM ) ! GAVEL-WEI<T ( A H>% S5T5CE1 LONG ANTICIPAT$1 9DISPUTABLE4 ,HE KN[S %E'S RI<T AB\T ?IS BE+ ! OCCASION :5 !IR FA!R %>ES SOME SORT ( SECRET ) !M1 CAN ALMO/ RECALL ! C\NTLESS PREVI\S TIMES %E'S TOLD HIM ?IS1 ON ?IS SAME NI<T & HALFWAY OV] ?IS SPECIFIC ROAD1 AVOID+ ?IS PRECISELY-CONT\R$ PAT* ( HORSE MUCK1 ON !IR WAY TO ! ASYLUM4 ,FURR[+ HIS FREEZ+1 A*+ BR[ ,JOHN MAKES AN EF=T TO REMEMB] ALL ! CATACLYSMIC ?+S !IR FA!R WILL BE TELL+ !M4 ,SOME?+ TO DO ) LIFEBELTS1 & ! SPECIAL FL[]S MADE ( B>E LADIES ?AT >E ALL ! DEAD CAN EAT4 ,?IS \TRAGE\S CURRICULUM S\NDS E]ILY FAMILI>1 AL?\< = ! LIFE ( HIM HE CAN'T SEE H[ IT CAN BE1 NOT 9 ! SAME WORLD :]E ! TRUDG$-SMOO? SLABS ( ,H]CULES ,ROAD >E SO IMM$IATE & H>D B5EA? HIS WORN-?R\< SOLES4 ,!Y C>RY ON PA/ ,AUTUMN-B>E FRONT Y>DS ) WAI/-HI< WALLS1 ?R\< A GRE5 D>K ?AT ! 9FREQU5T LAMPS ONLY ACC5TUATE1 T[>DS ! MI/-WREA!D %ORES ( ,K5N+TON4 ,AHEAD !IR FUTURE FOOT/EPS >E >RANG$ LIKE UNSE5 SLIPP]S RUNN+ (F ALONG ! VAPOR-%R\D$ PAVEM5T1 WAIT+ PATI5TLY TO BE TRI$ ON1 H[EV] FLEET+LY2 WAIT+ H]E ON ?IS SIDE /REET = !M S9CE BE=E ! WORLD BEGAN 9 !IR 9EVITABLE & ORDA9$ PROCESSION TO ! MADH\SE GATES4 ,HIS SI/]'S H& IS HOT & HORRIBLE ! WAY IT ALWAYS IS TONI<T1 ADHESIVE ) A B>LEY-SUG> GLAZE4 ,A CAB :OSE HO>D+ ADV]TISES ,LIPTON'S TEA CLOPS BY ON CUE AS !IR 9CIPI5T PR9TS LEAD !M >\ND A CORN]1 UP ! WAY A BIT & SUDD5LY ! WR\<T-IRON B>S & FLANK+ PO/S ( RA9-GNAW$ /ONE >E ONLY A FEW MOM5TS1 A FEW FEET AWAY4 ,! HOSPITAL & ! IMP5D+ H\R :I* IT CONTA9S DRAG !MSELVES EAG]LY ACROSS ! 9T]V5+ SPACE & TIME1 APPROA*+ ?R\< ! *URN$ MURK LIKE A PLAGUE BOAT OR A PRISON HULK1 CRU%+ ! KIDS TO SPECKS ) BRUTE PROPORTION1 PISS & M$IC9E ON ITS BREA?4 ,! KEEP] /&+ GU>D BESIDE ! GAT$ 5TRANCE ON ITS F> SIDE RECOGNIZES !M FROM O!R EV5+S & UNLOCKS ) A BEGRUDG+ ATTITUDE4 ,IT SEEMS TO ,JOHN NOT SO MU* ?AT ! GATEMAN DOESN'T LIKE !M1 RA!R ?AT HE DOESN'T LIKE !M BE+ !RE :]E GR[N-UPS ACT LIKE FRI<T5+ *ILDR54 ,EV]Y TIME !Y TURN UP H]E HE TELLS !M !Y'D BE BETT] (F NOT COM+ & !N LETS !M 91 GRUFFLY ESCORT+ !M ACROSS ! WALL$-9 GR\NDS TO ! FRONT DOORS 9 CASE ( W&]+ /RANGL]S OR BUGG]S4 ,ONCE 9SIDE ! BUILD+1 SWALL[$ BY ! /]N ADM9I/RATIVE HU% ( A RECEPTION >EA ) ITS AU/]E HI< CEIL+S LO/ FROM SI<T TO A GAS-MANTLE GL[ ( 9SUFFICI5T REA*1 ,?URSA & ,JOHN'S RELUCTANT %EPH]D H&S !M OV] TO ANO!R W>D51 A /ONE-FAC$ & SOME:AT OLD] MAN :OSE HEAD IS ALL GRAY BRI/LE4 0,!Y'RE = ,V]NALL4 ,IT'S NOT RI<T1 !M BE+ H]E ) ALL O' ?IS1 BUT !RE Y\ HAVE IT & !RE'S NO?+ TO BE DONE40 ,! WORDS HAVE A FA9T E*O1 HAVE A R+ TO !M AS IF SPOK5 BE=E4 ,/ILL HOLD+ H&S1 AL?\< = COM=T RA!R ?AN COMPULSION1 !Y ACCOMPANY !IR MUTE *AP]ON D[N CREAK+ CORRIDORS ?AT CRAWL ) :ISP]S & ! MEMORY ( 9CONT95CE4 ,A DU/Y1 MIS]ABLE RESIDUE ( PIP$REAM EMPIRES & BEWILD]M5T ACCUMULATES 9 PHANTOM DRIFTS AGA9/ ! SKIRT+ BO>DS :]E !IR /ILT-WALK] %AD[S LI/ PREC>I\SLY1 TEET]+ ABREA/ ) !M ON ?IS SUBDU$ & /RANGELY =MAL \T+4 ,BOLT$ DOORS SLIDE BY1 & CONTR>Y TO POPUL> OP9ION NO:]E IS !RE ANY LAU<T]4 ,L$ 9TO A DIMLY-LIT HALL ( 9TIMIDAT+ SCALE RES]V$ = VISITORS1 ! UR*9S >E CONFRONT$ BY AN UMB] LAKE 9 :I* P]HAPS A DOZ5 TABLE-ISL&S FLOAT SUSP5D$1 JUDD]+ HEMISPH]ES ( C&LELI<T :]E 9MATES SIT LIKE /ONES ELSE GAZE 5RAPTUR$ 9TO EMPTY AIR :ILE RELATIVES />E WI/FULLY AT !IR [N %OES4 ,M>OON$ ON ONE SU* ISLET IS !IR FA!R1 ! :ITE HAIR GR[N \T AS IF HIS HEAD'S ON FIRE ) GULLS4 ,HE ASKS !M IF !Y KN[ AB\T TONI<T & ,JOHN SAYS 0,YES0 :ILE ,?URSA />TS TO CRY4 ,AN ODDLY REM9ISC5T LITANY BEG9S1 LI<TN+ & *IMNEYPOTS1 GEOMETRY & ANGLES1 SPECT]-FOOD & ! TOPOLOGY ( />RY TIME2 ! WID5+ HOLE 9 EV]Y?+4 ,HE TELLS !M ( ! 5DLESS AV5UE ABOVE !IR LIVES :]E *>ACT]S CALL$ 

,MAY & ,SN[Y /UMBLE D[N =EV]1 BRAZ5LY DISPLAY+ !IR B>E ASSES TO EA* NEW EXT9CTION AS !Y PASS AMONG ITS SIGNS & M>K]S4 ,SOON !RE >E NO SYLVAN OCTOPI OR FLICK]+ HYP]-SQUIDS1 NO SEANCE-RAPP+ CRABS OR POND-SIZ$ HO(M>KS LEFT BY GR\ND$ :ALES4 ,ABOVE1 ! CRUMPL$-PAP] DIAGRAMS ( CL\D SEEM SC>C] & :5 VISIBLE LESS COMPLEX1 HAV+ FEW] FOLDS & FACETS4 ,! OLD MAN SURMISES ?AT ! WORLD D[N/AIRS IS DRY+1 DY+1 & !Y TRAVEL ON ?R\< ! GIGANTIC ?9N+ TREES1 ! GREAT MAJORITY ( :I* >E DEAD ) SOME 5TIRELY PETRIFI$4 ,9 !IR DECADE-DEV\R+ CANT] !Y DEVISE A MEANS ( EAT+ )\T PAUS+3 ! UNCANNY TODDL] 9T]MITT5TLY RETRIEVES ONE ( ! PUZZL+ V9TAGE ,PUCK'S ,HATS FROM ! 9EXPLICABLY FULL WOLF-BAG ?AT %E B\NCES ON1 H&+ IT ) GREAT C]EMONY D[N TO H] GR&FA!R :O +E/S IT AS HE RUNS1 NOISILY SPITT+ EYES & PUBIC FUR-BALLS 9TO ! DET]IORAT$ WOODL& MUL* B5EA? HIS SLAPP+ FEET4 ,:ILE !Y DON'T HAVE !IR M\?S FULL !Y DISCUSS ! L+]+ 5IGMA ( !IR RE/OCK$ RATIONS )\T EV] REA*+ A CONCLUSION ?AT'S REMOTELY CR$IBLE4 ,:5 ,SN[Y V5TURES ! HYPO!SIS ?AT POSSIBLY ! AMIABLE CRU/ACEANS BACK ALONG ! TIME-TRACK >E RESPONSIBLE = ?IS DISPLAY ( CL&E/9E B5EVOL5CE1 ,MAY C\NT]S ) A !ORY ?AT IT IS 9 FACT !IR [N SELVES FROM SOME JUNCTURE ( ! FUTURE :O >E !IR TRUE B5EFACTORS4 ,BO? PROPOSALS F\ND] ON ! ISSUE ( ! FUNGI'S BLATANTLY ANA*RONI/IC PROV5ANCE1 & MEAN:ILE !RE'S LESS VEGETATION TO BE SE5 ) EA* FRE% FURLONG4 ,F> AWAY TO EI!R SIDE ! WALLS ( ! PROTRACT$ ?OR\<F>E CAN ONCE MORE BE DISC]N$1 !IR %IFT+ DREAM-V5E] FALL5 AWAY OR ATROPHI$ = WANT ( ANY?+ /ILL CAPABLE ( DREAM+ 9 ! T]RITORIES B5EA?4 ,)\T !IR A/RAL SUB/ANCE BE+ CON/ANTLY R5EW$ & RE9VIGORAT$ BY AN 9FLUX ( NOVEL IMAG9+S1 ! DI/ANT B\ND>IES CAN NO LONG] RECALL ! %APES OR COLORS ?AT W]E PREVI\SLY !IR [N1 ! CONT\RS S(T5+ & GRADUALLY SUBSID+ 9TO WAXY 9COH]5CE1 HUE A RUNNY PA9T-BOX M>BL+ ) ! GREASY FEV]-%E5 ( RA9-/A9$ PETROL1 SACR$ >*ITECTURE LAPS+ 9TO A PRISMATIC SLOBB]4 ,PA/ ?OSE FALT]+ M>G9S !RE >E ONLY ! CONF\ND+ DEP?S ( AN EXP&$ FIRMAM5T AS REALIZ$ 9 MORE ?AN ?REE DIM5SIONS1 9TIMAT+ ?AT BEYOND ! ,ATTICS ( ! ,BREA? ! FUR!R REA*ES ( ,MANS\L !MSELVES >E LEVEL$4 ,LIKE SOME HYBRID *IM]A ( AGE & Y\?1 A G5]ATIONAL C5TAUR1 ,MAY & ,SN[Y GALLOP ONW>D ?R\< :AT SEEMS TO BE A F9AL CURTA9 FALL+ ON BIOLOGY4 ,RUNN+ P9K CAT]PILL> F+]S IDLY ?R\< ! LOCKS ( H] G]ONTIC *>G] AS ?\< GROOM+ HIM = NITS1 ! SOMB] *]UB MUSES ON ! FRAGILE EXI/5TIAL NATURE ( A WORLD COMPLETELY UNOBS]V$ :ILE ALL >\ND !M ! LA/ OAKS & EUCALYPTUSES >E TOPPL+ UNNOTIC$ 9TO HI/ORY4 ,AT 9T]VALS ( A DURATION L5G?I] ?AN EMPIRES ! PAIR PAUSE 9 !IR APOCALYPTIC M>A?ON1 TO SNOOZE AFT] !IR FA%ION UND] LEAN-TOS MADE FROM SL\<$-(F B>K OR D9E ON !IR DIM9I%+ SUPPLY ( ,B$LAM ,J5NIES4 ,IT IS AFT] BREAK+ CAMP ON ONE ( !SE OCCASIONS & MAK+ ! RELATIVELY %ORT WALK TO ! MORN+ FOLL[+1 :5 !Y'VE LONG GIV5 UP ON ! IDEA ( SAPI5T LIFE 9 ! T]RE/RIAL NEI<BORHOOD B5EA? !M1 ?AT !Y COME ACROSS ! FIR/ ( ! PECULI>LY GEOMETRIC M9]AL CACTI4 ,A ?REE-SID$ PYRAMID AS TALL AS ,SN[Y1 AN ELABORATE BEIGE /UD ]UPT+ FROM ! %RIVEL$ MOSS & K9DL+ LITT] C>PET+ ! GREAT EMPORIUM1 EA* ( ITS SMOO?LY MANUFACTUR$ FACES HAS A FUR!R HALF-SIZ$ PYRAMID PROJECT+ FROM IT4 ,!SE 9 TURN SPR\T SIMIL>LY SCAL$-D[N REPRODUCTIONS ( ! C5TRAL =M1 & SO ON TO ! LIMITS ( P]CEPTIBILITY4 ,! OV]ALL IMPRESSION IS ?AT ( A ,CUBI/ ,*RI/MAS-TREE SCULPT$ FROM S& OR SOME F9E-GRA9$ EQUIVAL5T1 SPIKY & 9 ITS [N WAY BEAUTIFUL4 ,! 9FANT & H] BRONCO ANCE/OR TROT 9 A SL[ 9VE/IGATIVE CIRCLE1 ORBIT+ ! />TL+LY PRECISE EXTRUSION AT A CAUTI\S RADIUS & SPECULAT+ ON ! NATURE ( ITS COMPOSITION4 ,AFT] SOME FEW CIRCUITS ,SN[Y KNEELS SO ?AT ,MAY CAN DISM\NT 9 ORD] TO 9SPECT ?IS /RANGE APP>5T >TIFACT AT CLOS] QU>T]S4 ,WADDL+ B>EFOOT ON A RUG ( DESICCAT$ SPL9T]S ! DECEAS$ TODDL] APPROA*ES ! SUSPICI\SLY WELL-5G9E]$ PH5OM5ON ) ! 9TREPID CURIOSITY *>ACT]I/IC ( ! AGE AT :I* DEA? HAS >RE/$ H] DEVELOPM5T4 ,%E POKES A SMALL EXPLORATORY BORE-HOLE 9 ! UNEXPECT$LY YIELD+ & P]MEABLE EXT]IOR ( ! ODDITY1 & ATTEMPTS A PRELIM9>Y ANALYSIS ( ITS CON/ITU5T MATT] BY ! /RAI<T=W>D EXP$I5T ( PUTT+ SOME 9TO H] M\?4 ,AFT] AN APPREH5SIVE P]IOD ( MUTE CONSID]ATION ! UNN]V+ P$IATRIC SIBYL TURNS ) WOND]M5T TO H] 9TRIGU$ GR&P>5T & ANN\NCES 0,IT'S AN AN?ILL40 ,/EPP+ CLOS] TO ! 5IGMATIC POLYH$RAL SOLID1 ! GAUNT PATRI>* SEES = HIMSELF ! COLONY'S IMM$IATELY DISPAT*$ REPAIRM5 SKITT]+ LIKE BEADS ( 9K AS !Y EFFICI5TLY PAT* UP ! DAMAGE CAUS$ BY ,MAY'S 9TRUSIVE DIGIT4 ,HAV+ NO DESIRE TO FUR!R 9CONV5I5CE ! FIR/-RECORD$ 9SECT PRES5CE TO HAVE BE5 DISCOV]$ ON ?AT UP/AIRS TI] ( EXI/5CE1 ! BABY REM\NTS H] FAM\SLY D]ANG$ & SILV]-CRE/$ RELATIVE & !Y CONT9UE ) !IR WORLD'S 5D PIC>ESQUE4 ,!RE IS /ILL EVID5CE ?AT LIFE PREVAILS4 ,SN[Y ?9KS BACK TO :5 

! FEV] C>T P]=MS A MUT$ DRUM ROLL1 MORE A CYMBAL :ISP] AS IT DW9DLES ) ! FAMILY'S HOPES1 TRICKL+ AWAY D[N ,=T ,/REET4 ,SITT+ ON ! COLD ?RONE ( HIS DOOR/EP S9CE ! GRAY H\RS ( ?AT MORN+1 WAIT+ ) HIS SEAT RES]V$ = ! =?COM+ DRAMA1 ! OLD TR\BLEMAK] WAT*ES PASSIVELY :ILE ! APPALL+ SC5E IS ACT$4 ,ALL ITS AWFUL FL\RI%ES >E AT A DI/ANCE TO HIS HE>T1 AFFECT+ ONLY 9 ! S5SE EV9C$ BY ! MU*-?UMB$ 5GRAV+S ( A P5NY DREADFUL ?AT HAVE =FEIT$ ! FRISSON ( CRUDE %OCK ACCOMPANY+ !IR FIR/ APPRAISAL4 ,SOME:]E (F AMID ! BUBBLE-&-SQUEAK VAPORS D[N ! PASSAGEWAY BEH9D HIM HE CAN HE> ,L\ISA CAUTION+ !IR O!R *ILDR5 /ILL AT HOME1 !IR ,CORA & !IR ,JOHNNY1 TELL+ !M !Y'RE NOT TO GO \TSIDE & /ICK !IR NOSES 94 ,\T 9 ! SMO!R+ HU% ( ,SUNDAY ! DISMAL SC5>IO PROCE$S ?R\< ITS TRADITIONAL COMPON5T /AGES2 ! 9EVITABLE FEET ( ITS EXACT+ MET]4 ,BIG ,MAY1 ,SN[Y ,V]NALL'S ELDE/ DAU<T]1 /&S !RE 9 ! MIDDLE ( ! RUDIM5T>Y ROAD & %UDD]S 9 ! >MS ( H] *AP ,TOM AS IF TRY+ TO WR+ H] V]Y LIFE \T ?R\< H] TE>-DUCTS1 UNAVOIDABLY CAU<T 9 ! BRUTAL & 9DIFF]5T MANGLE ( ! MOM5T4 ,MOAN+ 9 A UNIV]SAL ,ESP]ANTO ( MAMMALIAN B]EAVEM5T1 ! Y\NG MO!R ) H] HAIR A G+] FIZZ ?R[S \T H] FRECKL$ >MS TO ! REC$+ WAGON :ILE H] HUSB& %UTS HIS EYES AGA9/ ?IS T]RIBLE DEFEAT & SAYS 0,OH NO1 OH NO01 HOLD+ HIS WIFE BACK FROM ! ABYSS ( BROAD DAYLI<T ?AT HAS CLAIM$ !IR DAU<T]4 ,SQUATT$ ON HIS DRAFTY FRONT-R[ P]* ,SN[Y IS GAZ+ D[N ! TUNNEL-L5G? ( CONT9UITY TO HIS E>LIE/ GLIMPSE ( ! GR[N WOMAN :OSE LIFE IS DIS9TEGRAT+ !RE BE=E HIM1 CRIMSON-FAC$ & WEEP+ 9 A GUTT]1 !N AS N[4 ,MORE ?AN A SCORE ( YE>S BACK D[N ! TRACK HE WOBBLES ON ! CAMB] ( A ,LAMBE? RO(TOP1 FI%+ 9 HIS JACKET POCKETS = ! RA9B[S HE 9T5DS TO %[] UPON HIS FIR/BORN1 ! CONFETTI SPECTRA ?AT WILL BE H] WELCOME TO !SE FIELDS ( LI<T & LOSS1 H] MEMORABLE & REEK+ /A9$-GLASS DEBUT4 ,TELESCOP$ 9 ,SN[Y'S BAGGY EYE ! H[L+ 9FANT IS BECOME ! %ATT]$ P>5T BELL[+ H] GRIEF ALONG ! *UR*-QUIET T]RAC$ R[1 ! OP]ATIC /AG+ UND]L9$ AS SUDD5LY A LONE OR*E/RAL VOICE FROM (F/AGE 9 ! W+S REPRISES NOTE-=-NOTE ,MAY ,W>R5'S HE>TSICK >IA1 BUT 9 A L[] OCTAVE4 ,CR\*+ ON HIS /OOP LIKE A PRESID+ G>GOYLE ON CA!DRAL GUTT]+ H] FA!R %IFTS HIS SAD GAZE & HIS FIR/-NI<T AUDI5CE ATT5TION FROM ! DISAPPE>+ HORSE-DRAWN AMBULANCE1 FROM ! DIPH!RIA BUS BACK TO ! CR[D+ SIDE-/REET'S NE>] 5D & ! ANTICIPAT$ S\RCE ( ?IS UNK9D & 9APPROPRIATE ACCOMPANIM5T1 ?IS MOCK+ C\NT]PO9T4 ,HIS [L-EY$ SI/] ,?URSA HAS APPE>$ FROM NO:]E AT ! ELB[ ( ! LANE1 ! CORN] B5D+ TO A CONT\R ( ! ALL-BUT-VANI%$ CA/LE'S PREVI\S =TIFICATIONS4 ,) ACCORDION SLUNG >\ND H] /R+Y NECK AS ?\< SOME PORTABLE V>IETY ( ,MAXIM GUN & HAIR ?AT ( A S5ILE GOLLYWOG1 H] 5TRANCE IS ELECTRIFY+4 ,H] TRANSLUC5T F+]S RE/+ ON ! FALSE-TOO? R[S ( IVORY TRIGG]S1 ,?URSA DOM9ATES ! BRICK AMPHI!AT] = ALL ( ITS CLASSIC TRAG$Y & P\R+ RADIANCE4 ,H] OLD] BRO!R UND]/&S BY ! TRANSPORT$ SMILE :I* PLAYS AB\T HIS BROK5 & DISSOCIATIVE SIBL+'S LIPS ?AT %E IS LI/5+ TO ! MULTIPLY+ E*OES ( ,MAY'S SCREAM & H] SQUEEZE-BOX RESPONSE AS PROPAGAT$ 9 AN AUDITORIUM ) CONCEAL$ DEP? & VOLUME1 ! S\NDS RICO*ET+ 9 A SUPPLEM5T>Y SPACE4 ,HE KN[S ?AT %E'S ATTEMPT+ TO EMB$ H] TRIBUTE TO ,MAY'S DY+ BABY AS A SONIC SOLID 9 ! GLASSY /UFF ( TIME1 AS AN EXQUISITE AURAL HEAD/ONE = ! ,FI5DS & ,BUILD]S TO APPRECIATE AT !IR CONSID]ABLE LEISURE4 ,HIS ANGUI%$ DAU<T]1 ON ! O!R H&1 CAN ONLY SEE ,?URSA'S DEM5T$ SMIRK1 A SILV] ?READ ( SPIT DEP5D+ AT ONE CORN] FROM BETWE5 ! BR[N+ MOL>S4 ,?US PROVID$ ) AN OPPORTUNE RECEPTACLE = H] TREM5D\S S5SE ( UNACCEPTABLE 9JU/ICE1 ,SN[Y'S ELDE/ :EELS UPON H] AUNT TO VOMIT NOISE1 A V5T+ ( UNSPEAKABLE EMOTIONS FROM A PLACE :]E LANGUAGE HOLDS NO JURISDICTION4 ,! TE>-/REAK$ TOMATO ( ,MAY'S FACE RIP5S T[>DS ITS BUR/+ PO9T4 ,H] POLE-AX$ S\L IS AUDIBLE1 ITS HI<] FREQU5CIES CURDL+ ! GRUBBY AIR :ILE ,?URSA1 BEAM+ & DELI<T$ AT ! ?\<T ( BE+ JO9$ 9 A DUET1 ADJU/S H] PLACEM5T ON ! KEYS & MILKS A FUR!R REPETITION ( ! DEVA/AT$ MO!R'S UTT]ANCES \T ( H] A/HMATIC 9/RUM5T1 ONCE MORE AT A DESC5D$ PIT* FROM ! ORIG9AL4 ,AT ?IS R5EW$ AFFRONT ,MAY'S P]SONALITY COLLAPSES VISIBLY UPON ITSELF4 ,%E SLUMPS 9 ,TOM'S GRIP1 :IMP]+1 & ,?URSA'S BIRD-CLAW H&S DANCE ON ! KEYBO>D MIMICK+ EV]Y DESPAIR+ VOCAL FLI<T OR FALL4 ,SN[Y REMEMB]S ?AT ?IS IS HIS CUE TO RISE FROM HIS WORN /ONE !AT] SEAT & TAKE HIS P>T 9 ! ET]NALLY REIT]AT$ MASQU]ADE4 ,/E]+ HIS SIBL+ G5TLY BY H] WOR/$ SLEEVE HE TAKES H] TO ONE SIDE & SOLEMNLY 9=MS H] ?AT H] IMPROVIS$ P]=MANCE IS UPSETT+ EV]YONE2 ?AT LITTLE ,MAY HAS TAK5 ILL & WILL MO/ LIKELY SOON BE GONE4 ,AT ?IS PO9T 9 H] SCOLD+ ,?URSA GIGGLES DISCONC]T+LY1 RECALL+ ! L>GELY-UNTR\BL$ EI<T-YE>-OLD ( NE> ?REE DOZ5 LONG W9T]S AGO4 ,EYES GLEAM+1 %E EXCIT$LY CONFIDES ?AT F> ABOVE MORTALITY & AT ?AT V]Y MOM5T LITTLE 

,MAY RIDES H] GR&FA!R'S %\LD]S1 ! AGREEABLE FACE ( !IR AMBULATORY TOTEM POLE1 ALONG ! N>R[ AV5UES ( :AT AM\NTS TO AN EXT5D$ CITY ( ! PYRAMIDAL1 MOD]NI/IC AN?ILLS ?AT ! DUO HAVE 5C\NT]$1 S+LY & AT WIDE-SPAC$ 9T]VALS1 DUR+ ! LA/ FEW DECADES ( !IR /AMP$E ?R\< ! BIOSPH]E'S DECL9E4 ,! MA!MATICALLY SELF-REF]5TIAL %APES1 REPEAT+ !IR [N NEATLY PO9T$ /RUCTURE AT PROGRESSIVELY R$UC+ SCALES1 SURR\ND ! TRAVEL]S ON EV]Y FRONT 9 MESM]IZ+LY EXACT & ORD]$ *ESSBO>D R[S1 EA* GEOMETRIC $IFICE P]FECTLY EQUIDI/ANT FROM ITS FELL[S 9 A DIZZY+ GRID ?AT REA*ES TO ! VA/ EMPORIUM'S ]OD+ $GES4 ,! UN9T]RUPT$ BLUE CONCAVITY ( SKY ?AT'S PRES5TLY SURM\NT+ ?IS OPTICALLY *ALL5G+ EXPANSE CONTA9S ONLY ! UNPACK$ GOLD5 +OT ( AN AG+ SUN :I* %RIVELS ! REMA9+ CRUMPL$ TISSUE SCRAPS ( HYP]CL\D TO NO?+4 ,PICK+ !IR WAY DA9TILY LIKE A TWO-HEAD$ ,GULLIV] ?R\< ! ?ORNY METROPOLIS ( AN 9SECTILE ,LILLIPUT1 ! PAIR ATTEMPT A DISQUISITION ON ! SUBJECT ( ! OBVI\SLY HI<LY ADAPT$ M\NDS & !IR SIGNIFICANCE4 ,AS ! MO/ S5IOR MEMB] ( ! FAMILY PRES5T1 IT IS ,SN[Y'S FIRMLY HELD CONT5TION ?AT ! ANTS >E 9 ALL LIKELIHOOD /ILL-LIV+ CREATURES ?AT HAVE BLUND]$ PHYSICALLY 9TO ?IS SPATIALLY 5HANC$ DOMA9 MU* AS ! PIGEONS & OCCASIONALLY ! CATS DO1 BACK 9 ?OSE N[-DI/ANT REA*ES ( ! TEMPORAL OV]PASS :]E CATS & PIGEONS /ILL EXI/4 ,CONV]SELY1 AS ! LONGE/-DEAD ( ! TWO ,>MAG$DON T\RI/S1 ,MAY ASS]TS H] [N BELIEF ?AT 9 ALL PROBABILITY ! ODDLY REGUL> PROTRUSIONS REPRES5T A PO/HUM\S EXT5SION ( ! HI]>*ICALLY->RANG$ & COMB9ATORY AW>5ESS CORRESPOND+ TO EA* 9DIVIDUAL CON/RUCTION4 ,FUR!R1 %E SUGGE/S ?AT ! COLLECTIVE CONSCI\SNESS ( EV]Y HILL HAS SEEM+LY EVOLV$ TO A CONDITION :]E IT CAN IMAG9E A CONT9UATION AFT] ITS DE/RUCTION OR EV5TUAL DISMANTL+4 ,?IS EVOLUTION IS IMPLI$1 ! BABY REASONS1 BY ! >I?METICALLY SOPHI/ICAT$ ALT]ATIONS TO ! HILLS' BASIC DESIGN4 ,BE+ HIMSELF NUM]ICALLY 9CL9$1 H] GR&FA!R F9DS ?AT HE IS RELUCTANTLY P]SUAD$ TO ?IS PO9T ( VIEW4 ,BEGRUDG+LY HE POSITS ?AT ! M>K$LY SELF-REPLICAT+ PROP]TY DISPLAY$ BY !SE >RE/+ FIGURES 9DICATES A CALCULAT+ SY/EM ( CONSID]ABLE SOPHI/ICATION & COMPLEXITY1 :I* 9 ITS TURN P]HAPS D5OTES A LEVEL ( M5TATION ABLE TO CONCEIVE ( A H]EAFT]1 AS HIS 9FANT PASS5G] MA9TA9S4 ,! EV]-SMALL] REPRODUCTIONS ( ! OV]ALL CONFIGURATION W\LD AT LEA/ APPE> TO DEMON/RATE A GRASP ( ALGORI?MS1 ,SN[Y PO/ULATES1 & 9 ?IS MANN] !IR DEBATE GOES BACK & =? AS !Y PROGRESS AMONG ! MAN-SIZ$ ALI5 S&CA/LES4 ,! AZURE L5S ( AFT]NOON FLOODS BLOODY AS ! HUMAN DRAY /RIDES ON ?R\< A DECL5SION ( RI* IRIS1 T>RY PURPLE1 & SO =W>D TO ANO!R ( ! SUBORD9ATE PLANET'S NI<TS4 ,! C\PLE TIPTOE D[N A =MIC ACID-FRAGRANC$ B\LEV>D B5EA? ! RADICALLY EXT5D$ RIS5 MOON1 A COMP\ND ( EI<T SEP>ATE LUN> SPH]ES FUZ$ TO A S+LE BRILLIANT CLU/] ) ITS LI<T A COLLOIDAL SUSP5SION SILV]-PLAT+ ! HU%$ RANKS ( POLYH$RAL BILL-SPIKES /RET*+ (F 9 ALL DIRECTIONS4 ,!Y GO BY ! TREASURE-F\NTA9 ( ANO!R DAYBREAK & ! SOOT-FALL ( A FUR!R D>K1 & !RE IS NO ABATEM5T TO ! NEATLY REGIM5T$ RANKS ( PRICKLY ZIGGURATS ?AT >E DI/RIBUT$ SO AS TO OCCUPY ! FLOOR-SPACE ( ! *RONOLOGIC CAUSEWAY MO/ EFFICI5TLY4 ,SN[Y IS GRADUALLY BECOM+ APPREH5SIVE3 0,I DON'T FANCY B$D+ D[N BETWE5 !SE BUGG]S MU*1 BUT ,I EXPECT WE'LL HAVE TO4 ,IT MO/ PROBABLY RUNS ON LIKE ?IS = C5TURIES :ILE ?IS LOT HAVE !IR TIME ,D[N/AIRS1 ) ALL !SE R[S LIKE CEMET]Y M>K]S & NO:]E ?AT WE CAN /RET* \T & BE COM=TABLE40 ,AFT] A P5SIVE SIL5CE1 HIS GR&DAU<T] %AKES H] CATK9 LOCKS 9 DISAGREEM5T4 0,I ?9K ?AT !Y MI<T HAVE HAD !IR TIME ,D[N/AIRS ALREADY4 ,C>RY ON ANO!R DAY'S L5G? & WE'LL SEE4' ,?\< D\BTFUL1 H] ANTIQUE CONVEYANCE DOES AS HE'S 9/RUCT$4 ,!Y CONT9UE ?R\< ! P>ADISE ( ANTS :ILE OV] !M ! CL\DLESS /RATOSPH]E ADJU/S ITS PALETTE1 MOON-*ROM$ D>KNESS BURNI%+ TO SALMON DAWN & !NCE TO ! MONOTON\S1 OPPRESSIVE LAPIS ( A WORLD ?AT'S DY+ = WANT ( BAD WEA!R4 ,TRUDG+ ?R\< A LAP APPROXIMATELY CORRESPOND+ TO MID-AFT]NOON1 ,MAY ISSUES A RECONNAISSANCE APPRAISAL FROM H] ELEVAT$ VANTAGE3 UP AHEAD ! D5SE-PACK$ LATTICE IS N[ *ECK]$1 EV]Y SECOND PISMIRE MONUM5T REMOV$ TO LEAVE A SQU>E ( EMPTY SPACE4 ,?IS GRADUAL DEPOPULATION IS P]SI/5T1 & :5 !Y AT LA/ ATTA9 ! VIOLET \TREA*ES ( DUSK !RE >E NO MORE O*] ASSEMBLIES TO BE SE54 ,! TODDL] !ORIZES ?AT AN ADVANC$ SPECIES ( ANT MAY HAVE BE5 EXTANT = A MILL5NIUM OR MORE )\T CONSPICU\SLY MANIFE/+ AT !SE ALTITUDES ( BE+1 S9CE COLONY-ORGANISM AN?ILLS >E EFFECTIVELY IMMORTAL UNLESS WIP$ AWAY BY SOME EXT]NAL =CE4 ,! REC5TLY TRAV]S$ APP>5T CITY1 ,MAY BELIEVES1 MI<T BE MORE PROP]LY P]CEIV$ AS 9DICATOR ( A MASS EXT9CTION1 ONE CONCLUD$ 9 ONLY A DAY OR SO4 ,!Y CONTEMPLATE ?IS AS !Y MAKE !IR CAMP1 DEV\R !IR LA/ FEW ,PUCK'S ,HATS & RETIRE4 ,ON RIS+1 !Y DISCOV] ?AT ! WOLFSK9 BAG IS ONCE MORE 9EXPLICABLY REFILL$1 & :ILE !Y M>* ON ,SN[Y ?9KS ( H[ 

! D>KNESS OV] ,=T ,/REET IS AT LEA/ TO SOME DEGREE P>TICULATE ! DAY HIS GR&SON ,TOMMY CALLS1 SEEK+ ASSI/ANCE ) HIS SUMS4 ,! PALL ABOVE ! T]RACE IS1 HE ?9KS1 AS MU* A PRODUCT ( HIS MOOD AS ( ! WA/E-DE/RUCTOR T[] 9 ,BA? ,/REET1 ?\< ! TWO >5'T :OLLY UNCONNECT$4 ,! ,DE/RUCTOR IS NO MORE ?AN ! MO/ OBVI\S SIGN ( A VORACI\S PROCESS *EW+ UP ! DI/RICT 9 ! DECADE S9CE ! 5D ( ! ,GREAT ,W>4 ,! E>LIE/ DEMOLITIONS HAVE LEFT %OCK+ ABS5CES AMONG ! >EA'S TILT+ BYWAYS1 :ITE CEM5T-DU/ BLANKS ON HIS 9T]NAL MAP :I* L9E UP WORRY+LY ) ! HYPH5ATIONS HE HAS LATELY NOTIC$ 9 HIS MEMORY4 ,HE'S HALFWAY ?R\< HIS SIXTIES &1 EV5 )\T ! P[]S ( CALCULATION ?AT HIS TWELVE-YE>-OLD DESC5DANT IS DEP5D+ ON1 HAS GOT A GOOD IDEA ( H[ ALL ?IS IS />T+ TO ADD UP4 ,HE'S GO+ CORN]Y1 =GETT+ ?+S1 IMAG9+ ?+S AS HE NE>S ! T]M9US4 ,ANO!R F\R OR FIVE YE>S IF HE'S LUCKY1 ?\< HE MI<T NOT HAVE ! FACULTIES TO C\NT ?AT HI< BY !N4 ,HIS DEA?1 ( C\RSE1 DOES NOT DISC\RAGE HIM2 IS JU/ ONE MORE FAMILI> /ATION ON HIS L9E4 ,HE'S SE5 IT ALL BE=E1 ! 5DLESS CORRIDOR & ! CONVULS+ OLD MAN ) - :AT1 PA9T8 - ,PA9T 9 HIS BE>D1 ?OSE SCRAPS ( COLOR8 ,SOME?+ LIKE ?AT1 ANYWAY4 ,IT DOESN'T BO!R HIM4 ,:AT BO!RS HIM >E !SE SL[ 9CREM5TS ( ! ,DE/RUCTOR & ! MEAN+FUL WORLD'S 5D COMM5C$ 9 ,BA? ,/REET4 ,AS ! B5EFICI>Y ( A DEM&+ ,B$LAM $UCATION ,SN[Y KN[S :AT *IMNEYS SIGNIFY1 KN[S ! DEV\R+ NO?+NESS POT5TIALLY CONTA9$ BY EV]Y T]RACOTTA %ELL'S CIRCUMF]5CE4 ,! GREAT] P>T ( ! CATA/ROPHE HE FE>S LIES NOT 9 ! MAT]IAL ASPECT1 BR[N BREA? CURL+ 9 ! WA/E 9C9]ATOR'S FIFTY-FOOT BRICK ?ROAT1 BUT RA!R 9 ! IMMAT]IAL IMMOLATIONS ?AT PROCE$ UN*ECK$2 9VISIBLE4 ,SYMBOLS & PR9CIPLES >E GO+ UP 9 ! SAME BILL[+ BLACK CL\D AS %IT & BACON R9DS & JAM-RAGS4 ,MU* AS HE RES5TS ! SMUTTY ?UND]HEAD AT PRES5T OV]%AD[+ HIS NEI<BORHOOD1 HIS FAMILY1 HIS %ABBY PEOPLE1 HE IS ACTIVELY AFRAID = ALL ?OSE ?+S IF HE %\LD CONTEMPLATE !IR GUTT$ ,HEAV5 OR !IR SURELY UN9HABITABLE FIRE-SALE FUTURE4 ,IT'S SO DE> TO HIM1 HIS WORLD4 ,L\ISA (F/AGE 9 ! DRIPP+-SC5T$ KIT*51 HUMM+ SOME?+ ?AT MI<T BE 0,TILL ,ALL ! ,SEAS ,RUN ,DRY0 ) BO? RAW FI/S >\ND ! H&LE ( H] SPOON1 *URN+ ! LUMPY & RELUCTANT FRUITCAKE MIXTURE4 ,HIS EMB>RASS$ GR&*ILD TURN+ R$D] ?AN A BEETROOT TRY+ TO CONCEAL HIS PRIDE :5 COMPLIM5T$ ON HIS APTITUDE = MA!MATICS1 HIS A/UTE GRASP ( ! UND]LY+ SYMMETRIES IMPLICIT 9 T5 SIMPLE DIGITS4 ,SN[Y *]I%ES ! DAY'S EV]Y LA/ ATOM1 EA* TRANSLUC5T GREASE-SPOT ON ! PAP] SPREAD ACROSS ! ELB[-POLI%$ TABLECLO?4 ,HE CANNOT BE> ! ?\<T ( ALL ?IS HUMAN CONSEQU5CE BECOME WA/E-MATT] & ASSIGN$ TO ! ,DE/RUCTOR1 EMPTI$ ONTO ! ANNIHILAT+ BONFIRE ( SELECTIVE ,5GLI% MEMORY4 ,B>ELY AW>E ( :AT HE'S DO+ HE DIRECTS HIS P5CIL-/UB 9TO LOOSE ORBITAL TRAJECTORIES1 SKIMM+ ! SURFACE ( ! UNFURL$ MEAT-WRAP & DESCRIB+ TWO CONC5TRIC CIRCLES1 A TOROIDAL \TL9E SE5 9 ELEVATION OR A PIGEON'S-EYE VIEW D[N ! B>REL ( A SMOKE/ACK4 ,FILL+ 9 ! FIGURES NAU<T TO N9E AT 9T]VALS >\ND ! R+1 EA* NUM]AL LAT]ALLY OPPOSITE ITS SECRET MIRROR-TW91 HE MAKES ! R\ND B& 9TO ! P]IMET] ( AN \TL&I% CLOCK-FACE ) ITS NUMB]S DIS>RANG$1 AS ?\< ! M$IUM ( TIME ITSELF W]E MADE ABRUPTLY UNFAMILI>4 ,HE BEG9S EXPLA9+ ALL ( ?IS TO ! ELEV5-YE>-OLD BOY BESIDE HIM1 BUT CAN SEE ALREADY H[ ! *ILD'S ATT5TIVE FR[N IS %IFT+ ON A GRADI5T FROM CONC5TRATION TO W>Y ANXIETY1 />T+ TO GR[ AFRAID BO? = & ( HIS GR&FA!R4 ,FROM ,TOMMY'S FACE ,SN[Y ASSUMES HE MU/ BE %\T+1 ?\< HE CAN'T REMEMB] TURN+ UP ! VOLUME & KN[S ANYWAY ?AT IT'S TOO LATE TO /OP4 ,UND] HIS W9T] WILD]NESS ( HAIR IDEAS >E RAC+1 >E ACCEL]AT+ DANG]\SLY T[>DS A FUGUE & SKIDD+ 9 COLLISION4 ,9 HIS H&S ! DRAW+ TURNS FROM SKEW$ CLOCK TO CROSS-SECTION$ *IMNEYPOT & !N AT LA/ 9TO ! PITILESS1 NEGAT+ GLYPH ( A DI/5D$ Z]O1 GR[N SO FAT ON VACUUM ?AT ITS CURV+ B\ND>IES /RUGGLE TO RE/RA9 IT4 ,HE SCREWS UP ! BUT*]S' PAP] TO AN ANGRY BALL1 PROPELS IT OV]>M 9TO ! BLAZ+ HE>? JU/ AS ! PRESCI5TLY AL]T ,L\ISA LEAVES H] BAK+ TO ANN\NCE ?AT ! MA? LESSON IS N[ DONE1 DISMISS+ !IR UNN]V$ & APPREH5SIVE-LOOK+ GR&SON1 S5D+ HIM (F HOME \T ( H>M'S WAY1 \T 9TO ,=T ,/REET :]E IT'S SN[+ FIL?4 ,FASCI/S 9 ,ITALY1 ! NEW *AP ) ! BIG MU/A*E 9 ,RUSSIA & !Y RECKON EV]Y?+ BEGAN \T ( A DIRTY GREAT EXPLOSION4 ,TURN+ LIKE A BULL AB\T ! FRAGILE MAT*BOX LIV+ ROOM HE KN[S !Y'RE RI<T1 BUT ?AT !Y HAVE NOT YET ABSORB$ :AT !IR DISCOV]Y IMPLIES REG>D+ TIME4 ,! PRIMAL DETONATION IS /ILL GO+ ON1 IS H]E1 IS N[1 IS EV]YONE1 IS ?IS4 ,WE >E ALL BANG1 & ALL ! ?\<TS & DO+S ( \R LIVES >E BUT BALLI/ICS4 ,!RE >E NEI!R S9S NOR VIRTUES1 ONLY ! CONT+5CIES ( %RAPNEL4 ,9 HIS :EEL+ TRAMPLE1 ,SN[Y IS BR\<T %ORT BY ! REFLECTION 9 A LOOK+ GLASS ABOVE !IR FIREPLACE3 AN ANCI5T M>9]1 RANT+ & />+ BACK FROM AN UNCANNILY EXT5D$ SPACE4 ,HE BREAKS ! MIRROR ) A PAP]WEI<T4 ,IT'S ALL TOO MU* LIKE HIS RECURR+ PREMONITION1 :]E 

! G]IATRIC PONY SNORTS & CAP]S 9 A PASSAGEWAY ( AIRDROME 5ORMITY1 UNDRESS$ & *]UB-RIDD54 ,?OSE UNTRAMMEL$ TREES :I* ONCE ]UPT$ FROM ! MANY V5TS SET 9 ?IS UPP] /ORY'S BASE >E GONE ) NOT EV5 !IR PETRIFY+ HULKS REMA9+1 :]EBY %AD[ IS MADE 9TO A DIM9I%+ RES\RCE R>] ?AN TANZANITE4 ,ABOVE1 ! OV]-SKY'S DAUNT+ EXPANSE IS N[ UNMITIGAT$ BY ! LEA/ 9TRUD+ B\< OR SP> & SEEMS 9FECT$ BY A FA9TLY GRE5I% T+E4 ,IT IS ,MAY'S SUPPOSITION ?AT ?IS MI<T RESULT FROM ALT]$ PLANET>Y ATMOSPH]IC COMPOSITION 9 ! ABS5CE ( BO? WAT] & BIOLOGY1 ! V>Y+ WAVEL5G?S ( SUNLI<T SCATT]$ DIFF]5TLY AS CONSEQU5CE4 ,! OLD MAN1 SLOBB]+ GOB FILL$ ) ! SUCCUL5T <O/-FUNGI ?AT HIS ?\<TFUL RID] FE$S TO HIM LIKE SUG>-LUMPS AS !Y CONT9UE !IR RIDICUL\S SAF>I1 CANNOT DISAGREE4 ,! LEAGUES ( DAY >E A ?9 S\P ( P]IDOT1 5TIRELY UNRELIEV$ BY CL\D OR CR\TON1 :ILE ! LEAGUES ( NI<T >E CLE>] ?AN AN ICICLE & BUR/+ ) S*EMATIC />1 UNFOLD$ COMET4 ,UND]FOOT ! GRANUL> SAWDU/ DETRITUS ( PULV]IZ$ =E/S IS AT LA/ EXHAU/$1 & ! EON-TREAD+ C\PLE >E A/ONI%$ TO DISCOV] ?AT B5EA? ?IS C>PET ( ORGANIC LITT] ! P9E FLOORBO>DS ( ,MANS\L >E NO MORE TO BE SE54 ,AT SOME UNNOTIC$ DEM>CATION PO9T ( ! ICEB\ND OR OV]GR[N MILL5NIA ALREADY TRAVEL$ ! PLAN$ PLANKS HAVE BE5 REPLAC$ BY - OR HAVE O!RWISE REV]T$ TO - CO>SE & UNEV5 ROCK1 A TWO-MILE BROAD PROMONTORY ( R&OMLY AMALGAMAT$ LIME/ONE1 FL9T & H>D *ALK REA*+ (F 9TO A LIFELESS DEEP :]E ONLY A/ROPHYSICS & GEOLOGY 5DURE4 ,! BORD]+ >CADE WALLS >E N[ A SMOO? IGNE\S TUMBLE ( LIQUESC5T DREAM-MAT]IAL1 ?\< /ILL HI< 5\< TO ADEQUATELY MASK :ATEV] FLATT5$ REMNANTS ( ! ,SECOND ,BOR\< YET EXI/ BEYOND ! /RIP'S EXT5SIVE M>G9S4 ,/EPP+ LIKE A MUMMIFI$ FLAM+O1 ,SN[Y CIRCUMSPECTLY NAVIGATES !IR WAY AB\T ! NUM]\S IRREGUL>LY CONT\R$ AP]TURES ?AT P]=ATE ! =M] BO>DWALK'S RUGG$ M9]AL FLOOR+4 ,LACK+ ANIMAT$ CREATURES TO PROVIDE ! SNAK+ JEWELRY =MS ?AT PREVI\SLY TYPIFI$ ! L[] REALM AS SE5 FROM ?IS SUP]IOR ELEVATION1 N[ ! HOLES LOOK UNI=MLY ONTO RAGG$ PAT*ES ( B>E DES]T4 ,NO?+ MOVES1 NO?+ RESPIRES1 ! ATTICS HAV+ F9ALLY \T/RIPP$ ! BREA?4 ,!Y C>RY ON ?R\< BR[NI% DAWNS1 GRE5 DAYS1 BLOOD-ORANGE SUNSETS & WIDE ONYX /RIPES LIT BY A SICKLE MOON EXPRESS$ AS EI<T SU* CRESC5TS 9T]L9K$1 A PUZZLE-BALL 9 SILV]4 ,PU%+ =W>D 9TO C5TURIES UNT5ANT$ !Y :ILE AWAY !IR TREK ) SELF-9V5T$ TRAVEL GAMES1 COMPIL+ LI/S ( ?+S ?AT >E NO MORE1 LIKE CONSCI\SNESS1 OR PA91 OR WAT]4 ,:5 !Y TIRE ( ?IS PURSUIT !Y TRY A V>IATION LI/+ ?OSE PH5OM5A ?AT YET 5DURE1 SU* AS ! P]IODIC TABLE1 C]TA9 ANA]OBIC SPECIES ( BACT]IA1 & GRAVITY4 ,?IS SECOND SET ( ITEMS1 :ILE EXT5SIVE1 IS MORE READILY EXHAU/$ ?AN ! FIR/ & !RE=E DOES NOT 5T]TA9 !M = SO LONG4 ,IF !Y BECOME FATIGU$ BY EI!R !IR P]PETUAL TRANSIT OR ! UNREMITT+ S5SE ( 5D !Y DOZE ON /ONE B5EA? A HYP]BOLIC ZODIAC1 ! NAK$ MAN SPRAWL$ LIKE A PILE ( /ICKS1 AN UNLIT FIRE1 BESIDE ! ALMO/ EMPTY WOLF-P\* 9 :I* HE 9SI/S ! CLEV] BABY SNOOZES4 ,WAK+1 WALK+ ?R\< NI<T'S RESIDUES TO BREAKFA/ 9 ! BURN+ SEPIA ( A COLOR-%IFT$ DAYBREAK !Y C\LD ALMO/ BE A PAIR ( BRONZES /RUCK TO REPRES5T ! OLD YE> BE>+ 9 ! NEW4 ,) VEGETATION NO MORE ?AN A MEMORY & MEMORY ITSELF =GOTT51 ,MAY & ,SN[Y'S VIEW ALONG ! CORRIDOR AHEAD IS NO LONG] CURTAIL$ BY OB/ACLES4 ,!IR OCUL> ABILITIES1 5HANC$ BY DEA?1 %\LD (F] !M AN UNRE/RICT$ PROSPECT ( ! EV]LA/+ HALL1 ?IS BE+ /RAI<T 9 ITS CON/RUCTION & 5TIRELY UNAFFECT$ BY ! CURVATURE ( ! T]RE/RIAL WORLD B5EA?4 ,H[EV]1 AS !Y PLOD ! T[PA? AGES BO? REM>K UPON !IR 9ABILITY TO SEE BEYOND A C]TA9 PO9T ( ! GREAT LANE BE=E !M4 ,?IS1 !Y REASON1 MU/ IMPLY A CONTRADICTORY B5D 9 ! PLUMB-L9E PRECISION ( ! AV5UE'S GEOMETRY1 OR ELSE EXEMPLIFY ! R\ND$ BULGE ( ! CONT9UUM ITSELF1 !IR SI<TL9E LIMIT$ BY SPACETIME'S 9T]V5+ HUMP$ M5ISCUS4 ,FUR!R D[N ! ROAD ! OV]REA*+ HEAV5S >E /RIAT$ 9TO V>ICOLOR$ /RIPES ( D>K OR DAY1 B&WID? COMPRESS+ ) PROXIMITY TO ! UNN]V+LY REMOTE HORIZON4 ,DOGG$LY ! WIZ5$ ,ATLAS P]SEV]ES1 HEFT+ HIS BLOND 5CUMBRANCE ?R\< ! B>R5 M9UTES & EVACUAT$ H\RS1 R$UC+ !IR /ILL-UNEXPLA9$ RES]VE ( ,B$LAM ,J5NIES AS !Y GO4 ,:5 ,MAY REPORTS TWO DI/9CT SPECKS 9 ! F> DI/ANCE H] GR&FA!R IS AT FIR/ 9CL9$ TO SKEPTICISM1 A POSITION SUBSEQU5TLY MODIFI$ AFT] !Y'VE TRAIPS$ A FEW MORE L&-WEEKS & ! VANI%+LY T9Y DOTS HAVE SWOLL5 & RESOLV$ !MSELVES 9TO A MAN & WOMAN WE>+ FA%IONABLE #a#i#bS CLO?+1 MORE \TRAGE\S 9 !IR WAY ?AN ANY ( ! SUP]-ANTS OR SUNLI<T-F$ REPLACEM5T M5 ?US F> 5C\NT]$4 ,! ANA*RONI/IC C\PLE /& !IR R\<HEWN GR\ND1 PATI5TLY WAT*+ ! EXTRAORD9>Y 9FANT & ! TIME-TRAMP %E IS RID+ 9 !IR SL[ APPROA*1 & ,SN[Y NOTES ?AT ! IMPECCABLY DRESS$ PAIR >E HOLD+ H&S4 ,( ! EXT+UI%$ ?+S ?AT HE & ,MAY HAVE PREVI\SLY LI/$1 ! ROMANCE & SEX >E :AT HE MISSES MO/4 ,HE ?9KS AB\T ! WAY 

,E>?'S SCUDD+ SATELLITE \TRUNS FILLET$ CL\DS ABOVE ! CATTLE M>KET1 KEEP+ PACE ) ,SN[Y & ! L&LORD'S BONNY DAU<T] FROM ! ,AN*OR1 A CELE/IAL *AP]ON = !IR FIR/ PROP] EV5+ \T4 ,HE DOESN'T KN[ ! T[N ?AT WELL AS YET EXCEPT ?R\< AN AMALGAMAT$ S5SE ( PREMONITION & NO/ALGIA1 SO HAS NO IDEA :]E %E'S TAK+ HIM4 ,! MELL[+ B\QUET ( C[-MANURE ALONG ,VICTORIA ,PROM5ADE IS SOMEH[ 9TIMATE1 & EV5 ?\< HE HASN'T SE5 ,L\ISA = ! SIX LONG MON?S ?AT HE'S HAD WORK 9 ,LAMBE?1 HE IS FIRM 9 HIS PRES5TIM5T ?AT BY ! TIME TONI<T IS DONE ) HE'LL HAVE HAD H] KNICK]BOCK]S D[N OV] ?OSE %APELY ANKLES & WILL ALSO HAVE PROPOS$ HIS SEX-DAMP H& 9 M>RIAGE4 ,OV]HEAD ! ,JULY />S >E DIAMOND PEPP] GR9D$ FROM ! MILLS ( SPACE & AT HIS SIDE1 NI<T-AMPLIFI$1 ! METRONOME TOCK ( H] HEELS IS MUSIC HE WILL SET HIS LIFE TO4 ,TALK+ 9 L[ VOICES SO AS NOT TO DISSIPATE ! ATMOSPH]E HE LETS H] W>M1 DEM&+ C\NT]WEI<T ON HIS RI<T >M /E] BO? ( !M 9TO ! REA*+ BLACK ( ! ,C[ ,MEAD[1 GIGGL+ & UNSUP]VIS$ TO :]E ! ONLY JURISDICTION IS ( TACTFUL %AD[4 ,CAU<T 9 RES9 BY ! GASLI<T NE> ! LAVATORIES TWO WORK+ M5 EX*ANGE A BRI/LY KISS & FUMBLE ) EA* O!R'S BUTTONS1 :ILE GIRLS COO FROM \T ! RU/L+ BU%ES LIKE NOCTURNAL PHEASANT EAG] = !IR BEAT]S4 ,:ISP]+1 ,L\ISA & H] BEAU PASS ON 9TO ! GASP+ D>K AS ALL >\ND ANO!R ,FRIDAY 5DS 9 MOONLIT JOY & JETT+ SE$ & GRASS-/A92 9 ! PE]LESS & ABID+ SILV] LUXURY ( DOGS OR PAUP]S4 ,ROLL$ \T ON B5I<T$ PA/URE 9 A C>PET GRAY AS BEAT5 T91 !IR PA? DELIV]S !M UNTO A GRAVEL WALK BESIDE ! T9KL+ RIV]1 CRAWL+ AWAY EA/ BETWE5 TALL UND]TAK] TREES T[>DS TOMORR[ MORN+4 ,UP/REAM A REFLECT$ MOON PUFFS POCKM>K$ *EEKS & HOLDS ITS BREA? B5EA? ! T9SEL SURFACE BUT H]E1 OV]LOOK$ BY CONIF]S1 AN IRON BRIDGE >CS ACROSS OBSCURE TORR5TS ?AT >E MADE FROM ONLY S\ND1 A GU% ( METAL SYLLABLES LIKE SMALL *ANGE J+L+ 9 A WI%+ WELL4 ,AT ! HALFWAY PO9T ( ! CREAK+ SPAN A BREEZE UNP9S ONE /R& ( H] SI5NA HAIR1 & 9 HIS T5D] /RET* TO TUCK IT BACK !IR LIPS FALL UPON ONE ANO!R AS ?\< FEUD+ SEA-ANEMONES UNTIL ,L\ISA SAYS 0,NOT H]E0 & LEADS HIM1 BL9D1 ONTO A />LI<T-PA9T$ ISL& BIFURCAT+ ! ONRU%+ WAT]S4 ,WORN BY C\NTLESS FEET D[N TO ITS S&/ONE NUB1 A TRACK LASSOES ! L&'S P]IMET]4 ,!Y WALK >\ND IT TO ! ISLE'S F> SIDE1 ATTEMPT+ CASUALNESS AT FIR/1 !N HURRY+1 !N LAU<+ AS !Y EA* AB&ON ALL PRET5SE & BREAK 9TO A RUN4 ,! WORN TURF BANK1 MOLD$ BY LOVE ACROSS ! C\RSE ( SEV]AL SMELLY-F+]$ C5TURIES1 HAS OV]LAID IMPRESSIONS ( T5 G5]ATIONS' BREA/S & BUTTOCKS VISIBLE TO FANCY AS A PALIMPSE/ 9 ! SLOPE'S CONT\RS4 ,AN ACCOMMODAT+ SYCAMORE SPREADS \T ITS KNUCKL$ ROOTS = ! =?COM+ GAME ( JACKS1 & CURR5T CAT*ES ON /\T RE$S1 & SKY SNAGS ON ! CLAW+ BRAN*-TOPS4 ,/&+1 KNEEL+1 LY+ D[N1 !Y S9K BY /AGES 9 ! FOAM+ CLOV] ) TONGUES J\/+ & !IR H&S AT W> ) FA/5+S1 ) ELA/IC4 ,BL\SE DISC>D$ & ! RUDIM5T>Y FLE%-TONE CAMISOLE DISPLAC$1 ,L\ISA WE>S H] TITS ) NECESS>Y PRIDE1 :ITE LIONESSES SLUMP$ MAGNIFIC5TLY ON !IR RIDGE ABOVE ! HOLL[ ( H] RIBCAGE4 ,AN 9NOVATIVE1 AMBITI\S TAM] )\T EI!R :IP OR *AIR1 SEQU5TIALLY HE TAKES !IR HEADS 9TO HIS M\?4 ,SWEAT-SAVORY1 ! NIPPLES SWELL AS IF AB\T TO HAT* FRITILL>IES & ,SN[Y & ,L\ISA >E BO? ?RILL$ & GASP+ KIDS AT ! P]5NIAL CIRCUS4 ,UND]NEA? ! M>QUEE L95 ( H] SKIRT W>M ?I<S P>T LIKE SOME TI<T-PRESS$ CR[D GRANT+ ADMISSION TO A SECRET SIDE%[1 :]E HIS CALLUS$ DIGITS >E ALL[$ +RESS TWO AT A TIME4 ,LIKE UNDECID$ CU/OM]S !Y HOV] AT ! VELVET 5TRANCE1 V5TUR+ 9SIDE BE=E )DRAW+ ONLY TO PU% 9 ONCE MORE1 UNABLE TO MAKE UP !IR M9DS4 ,! HEM GOES UP LIKE CURTA9S & ! DRAW]S GO D[N LIKE LI<TS & !RE1 !RE IS ! NEV]-BE=E-SE5 EXOTIC ANIMAL2 !RE IS ! SLIPP]Y SLAP/ICK /AGE4 ,A CAT CR\*$ AT ITS SAUC]1 HUN*+ !RE BETWE5 H] LEGS HE LAPS & TRIES TO SAVOR LIKE A CONNOISSEUR BUT 9 ! 5D GIVES UP TO GUZZLE LIKE A CO/]MONG]4 ,GNAW$ F]OCI\SLY %E SP5DS & SCREAMS & !N IS GLAZ$ ) ACQUIESC5T %OCK1 A D[N$ & %UDD]+ WILDEBEE/ & :5 HE TAKES HIS PRICK \T ( HIS TR\S]S IT'S LIKE IRON1 NEWLY CA/ & READY TO BE QU5*$1 IMM]S$1 ) A GREAT RU% ( /EAM4 ,%E REA*ES AWKW>DLY TO /E] IT HOME BY H& & HE IS LAUN*$ 9TO H]1 AN EXQUISITELY SL[ SLIDE ON AN OIL$ GANTRY1 S9K+ 9TO W>M? UP TO HIS CURLY WAT]L9E4 ,! SC5T ( CUNT & RIV] CURV+ TO A LIME-%>P $GE ( PRESS$ MIMOSA FIRES HIM1 & HE UND]/&S !IR FURI\S C\PL+ 9 ! 5G9E]+ S5SE1 BO? ( !M FUNCTION+ AS ONE RAPTUR\S LUBRICAT$ MOV+ P>T1 HISS+ & RACKET+ 9 TIME'S 9VISIBLE MA*9]Y4 ,SLICK M]CURY BOILS OV] FROM ITS BULB & HE EJACULATES 9SIDE H]1 SPURTS !IR DAU<T] ,MAY 9TO A ,LAMBE? GUTT] & !IR SAME-NAME GR&DAU<T] 9TO ! FEV] C>T4 ,HE SQUIRTS A ?\S& NAMES & HI/ORIES1 SPUNKS ,JACK 9TO A =EIGN GRAVE & ,MICK 9TO A /EEL-DRUM RECLAMATION Y>D & ,AUDREY 9TO AN ASYLUM4 ,HE COMES GRIEF & PA9T+S & ACCORDION MUSIC1 AS HE KN[S HE MU/1 TO GU>ANTEE ?AT SEV]AL MILLION YE>S AWAY 9 ! AB&ON$ RU9S ( P>ADISE 

! NUDE B]S]K] & HIS PIGGYBACK+ CONSCI5CE />T TO GRADUALLY DECREASE !IR FRI<TFUL PACE :5 !Y >E SOME ?REE GEOGRAPHIC DAYS FROM ! TWO WELL-DRESS$ /RANG]S1 COM+ F9ALLY TO A /&/ILL1 EYE-TO-EYE 9 ! MISCOLOR$ FURNACE ( ANO!R PO/-ORGANIC DAWN4 ,! WOMAN1 %ORT & %APELY1 WE>S A DRESS ( %IMM]+ VIRIDIAN TO H] KNEES ) DOVE-GRAY /OCK+S & JADE C\RT %OES1 HAIR AN AUBURN TUMBLE TO H] B>E & H&SOME %\LD]S4 ,H] ESCORT HAS ! APPE>ANCE ( A LATE ,VICTORIAN D&Y CLAD 9 JU/-DISCOV]$ MAUVES & WI/FUL VIOLETS1 HIS IMMACULATE FROCK-COAT 5SEMBLE TOPP$ 9CONGRU\SLY BY A BATT]$ JUNK-%OP B[L] HAT ?AT LOOKS LIKE SOMEONE MI<T HAVE DI$ 9 IT4 ,AGA9/ ! TANG]9E EFFULG5CE ( A COMP\ND SUNRISE !IR CONTRA/+ HUES AFFECT A LURID H>MONY ( ! K9D SOMETIMES F\ND 9 DREAMS4 ,BESIDE ! DUO1 COV]+ A G+HAM TABLECLO? UNFOLD$ ON ! PETRIFACTIVE >CADE FLOOR IS A M\?-WAT]+ HEAP ( FRE%-PICK$ ,PUCK'S ,HATS4 0,MY NAME'S ,M>JORIE ,MIR&A ,DRISCOLL :ILE ?IS IS MY CONSORT1 ,MR4 ,REG9ALD ,J4 ,F[L]1 & ,I MU/ SAY IT'S A PRIVILEGE TO MEET ! PAIR ( Y\4 ,Y\'RE 9 A BOOK ,I'M WRIT+ - ,I HOPE ?AT'S ALRI<T - & WE'VE BE5 TUNNEL+ ?R\< ! <O/-SEAM TO KEEP Y\ SUPPLI$ ) FOOD4 ,I DON'T ?9K WE CAN DO IT ANYMORE1 ?\<4 ,!RE'S NOT MU* LEFT ( ,MANS\L BEYOND ?IS PO9T1 SO !RE'S NO WAY ( CLIMB+ UP H]E4 ,I'M AFRAID !RE'S NO MORE RATIONS AFT] ?IS1 SO ,I ?\<T ?AT WE'D TAKE ! OPPORTUNITY TO 9TRODUCE \RSELVES & TELL Y\ :]E ! ,B$LAM ,J5NIES HAVE BE5 COM+ FROM40 ,H] VOICE & H] DELIV]Y1 ?\< ADULT & WELL-SPOK51 HAVE A QUALITY LIKE ?AT ( A *ILD PLAY+ DRESS-UP OR AN ACTRESS :O'S /ILL SETTL+ 9TO H] ROLE1 SO ?AT ,SN[Y SURMISES NEI!R %E NOR H] COMPANION HAVE BE5 ATTIR$ 9 !IR CURR5T SEMBLANCES = V]Y LONG4 ,! Y\NG MAN SEEMS ESPECIALLY DISCOMFIT$ BY HIS WELL-HEEL$ APP>EL1 RUNN+ A C5SORI\S F+] R\ND 9SIDE HIS HI< />*$ COLL> & OCCASIONALLY EXPECTORAT+ A DISMISSIVE WAD ( ECTO-PHLEGM1 MORE AS A /ATEM5T ?AN = ANY DECONGE/ANT PURPOSE4 ,AT !IR FEET ! B>R5 /ONE IS WET ) CITRUS LI<T :]E !IR /ILT-WALK+ %AD[S >E /RET*$ TI<T BEH9D1 LIKE RUBB] B&S NE>+ ! LIMIT ( ,HOOKE'S LAW4 ,HAV+ %OOK H&S 9 =MAL 9TRODUCTION & ) ,MAY DISM\NT$1 ! UNUSUAL QU>TET >RANGES ITSELF COM=TABLY AB\T ! SQU>E ( L95 = A FUNGAL PICNIC UND] SKIES AB&ON$ SAVE = BL9D+ APRICOT4 ,CONVIVIALLY1 !Y 9T]ROGATE EA* O!R4 ,MAY 9QUIRES AFT] ! SEEM+LY ONGO+ DISSOLUTION ( ?IS UPP] REALM1 BEYOND ! CAUSEWAY'S DI/ANT & SUBSID$ B\ND+ WALLS1 & LE>NS ?AT !RE IS NO?+ LEFT3 EV5 ! ,WORKS IS A DES]T$ %ELL1 ) ITS REMA9+ CROOK-DOORS MADE PROGRESSIVELY MORE 9ACCESSIBLE BY ! CONT9U+ COLLAPSE4 ,NEXT1 ! DEMURE ,MISS ,DRISCOLL ASKS IF ,SN[Y & HIS GR&DAU<T]1 AS ! PROTAGONI/S ( H] =?COM+ SECOND NOVEL1 >E EXPECT+ TO 5C\NT] ! ,?IRD ,BOR\< ANY:]E BETWE5 H]E & ! 5D ( TIME4 ,AFT] A ?\<TFUL PAUSE1 ! :ITE-HAIR$ VET]AN REPLIES ?AT NO1 HE'S NOT ANTICIPAT+ ANY SU* CONV]G5CE4 0,AL?\< IF WE HAV5'T /UMBL$ OV] HIM BY !N1 AT LEA/ WE'LL HAVE A GOOD IDEA ( :]E HE'S NOT40 ,\T ( A SAT9 CLO*E-BAG ?AT %E C>RIES ! Y\NG AU?ORESS PRODUCES A SLIM TOME ) GRE5 CLO? BO>DS1 9LAID ) A GOLD ILLU/RATION & ! VOLUME'S TITLE1 :I* IS 0,! ,DEAD ,DEAD ,GANG04 ,?IS1 AS %E EXPLA9S1 IS A SIGN$ PRES5TATION COPY ( H] DEBUT ?AT %E W\LD BE DEEPLY HONOR$ W]E !Y TO ACCEPT4 ,TURN+ ! (F]+ OV] 9 HIS />V$ SPID]-CRAB H&S ,SN[Y ADMIRES ! B9D+1 WOND]+ AL\D IF ,MR4 ,BLAKE ( ,LAMBE? WAS NOT 9 SOME MEASURE AN ACCOMPLICE TO ITS MANUFACTURE4 ,BO? !IR WORLD'S-5D GUE/S NOD EAG]LY AT ?IS & ,MR4 ,F[L] BREA?LESSLY REC\NTS1 ) ! EXCITABILITY ( A F> Y\NG] MAN1 H[ HE & HIS 9T5D$ HAVE GONE ALL ! WAY ALONG ! ,ULTRADUCT FROM ,DODDRIDGE ,*UR* \T TO ! HI<] REGIONS UP ABOVE ,H]CULES ,ROAD1 SOLICIT+ ADVICE ON PUBLI%+ FROM ! PUGNACI\S & 9FLAMMATORY DIV9E4 0 ',E WIZ A SMA%+ BLOKE4 ,I REALLY LIK$ 'IM40 ,EQUALLY 5?USIA/ICALLY1 ,MAY TELLS H[ %E & H] B$RAGGL$ NAG HAVE CALL$ UPON ! R\<NECK VISION>Y & HIS WIFE :5 !Y !MSELVES ESSAY$ ! DAZZL+ OV]PASS ALONG ITS L5G? FROM ,*ALK ,LANE TO T]RE/RIAL ,J]USALEM4 0,:5 WE MET ) !M !Y W]E BE+ ,EVE & ,ADAM1 READ+ ,MR4 ,MILTON'S V]SES TO EA* O!R 9 ! NUDE4 ,?AT'S REALLY :Y WE ?\<T WE'D GO )\T CLO!S ON ?IS LONG] EXP$ITION4 ,IT JU/ SEEM$ LIKE SOME?+ ?AT ! ,BLAKES MI<T DO40 ,MISS ,DRISCOLL SCRIBBLES SOME?+ 9 AN OY/]-T9T$ NOTEBOOK AT ?IS JUNCTURE1 YET :5 ASK$ AB\T IT BLU%ES CRIMSON & EXPLA9S ?AT %E IS M]ELY JOTT+ BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS AS TO BO? ! TIMBRE & ! COLORATION ( ! M>VEL-BABY'S VOICE4 0,MELT-WAT] TRY+ TO BE S]I\S0 IS ALL %E'LL LET !M READ4 0,IT WIZN'T V]Y GOOD4 ,I'LL MORE ?AN LIKELY *ANGE IT40 ,!Y TRADE ANECDOTES 9 ! UNWAV]+ AMB] ( ! DEAD WORLD'S DAYBREAK & !N LOAD ALL ! REMA9+ ,PUCK'S ,HATS 9TO ,MAY & ,SN[Y'S PR$ATORY HAV]SACK1 ALONG ) ! DONAT$ BOOK1 BE=E MAK+ !IR LA/ F>EWELLS4 ,S>TORIALLY SPL5DID 9 ! FIRES ( ,E>?'S UNMAK+ ! Y\NG C\PLE W&] H& 9 H& T[>DS ! AV5UE'S F> M>G9S4 ,TAK+ ,MAY ONCE MORE ONTO HIS %\LD]S1 ,SN[Y REM9ISCES AB\T 

H[ ! WORLD APPE>S TO DANCE ) Y\? & %APE ITSELF TO Y\?FUL EXPECTATION & REQUIREM5T1 AT LEA/ TO ! Y\NG4 ,AT SEV5TE5 ! GALE-TOSS$ TREES ?AT FR+E HIS MANY ROADS >E MAK+ SUPPLICATION BUT TO HIM & ,LAMBE? IS HIS ORNAM5T1 MEAN+FUL ONLY :5 9CLUD$ 9 HIS GAZE1 NOT !RE IF HE'S NOT4 ,WOM5 ( ! BOR\< MAKE !IR BEAUTY VISIBLE EXCLUSIVELY 9 HIS VIC9ITY1 A COLOR :I* !Y EMANATE BEYOND ?AT SPECTRUM READILY DISC]NIBLE TO O!R M51 APP>5T SOLELY TO ! *OS5 POLL9ATOR4 ,H$G][S FRUIT ) BREA/S MIRACUL\SLY AT HIS PASS+4 ,!RE >E SECRET TIDE-POOL LILIES OP5+ 9 LACE UND]GR[? ALONG HIS PA? AS ?\< HE'S ,SPR+ ITSELF1 BRIMFUL ( BIRDSONG & =EV] ON ! BONE ) PRETTY W9DFALL ASSES EV]Y:]E4 ,HE HAS MORE SP]M 9 HIM ?AN HE KN[S :AT TO DO ) & ! PLANET CIRCL+ AB\T HIS AXIS SEEMS TO %>E ! SAME PROMISCU\S EXCITEM5T1 %OOT+ LI<TBULBS1 TELEPHONIC APP>ATUS & ! ANNEXATION ( ,S\? ,AFRICA 9 GLOSSY RIVULETS ACROSS ! MUNDANE C\NT]PANE4 ,! H&S ( HI/ORY >E DEEP 9 /ICKY POCKETS1 RUMMAG+1 & ,BRITA9 RULES A MOM5T :I* IT HAS MI/AK5 = ! GLOBE4 ,EV5 9 ,QUE5 ,VICTORIA ASC5DANT AS ,EMPRESS ( ,9DIA HE SEES ALL ! COMPON5TS ( A SUBSEQU5T DECL9E1 EV5 IF ONE NOT CULM9AT$ 9 HIS LIFETIME4 ,!RE WILL BE RES5TM5T2 MASSACRE WORSE ?AN ,BULG>IA2 FUTILE ,SATSUMA RALLY+S AGA9/ 9EVITABLE *ANGE2 <\LS DRESS$ 9 NEWSPAP] :O WAIT A LITTLE FUR!R D[N ! EMPIRE'S AS YET ONLY P>TIALLY UNROLL$ R$ C>PET4 ,GR9D+ RHY?MICALLY AGA9/ ! ANCI5T & 9CURI\S ALLEY WALL1 WE>+ A SQUEAK+ BREA/PLATE MADE ( GIRL & A TI<T BELT ( LEGS1 HE IS EXULTANT 9 ! ME*ANISM1 ?R[S HIS HEAD BACK B>K+ AT ! />S & KN[S ! FUTURE'S JE/S & 9JURIES TO BE ALREADY ACT$4 ,/&+ 9 A HAMM]+ ,S\? ,LONDON D[NP\R IS ! RUFFIAN ,JOHN ,V]NALL1 RUMOR$ TO BE T\*$1 AW>E ?AT ALL ! 9DIVIDUAL DROPLETS 9 !IR P\ND+ V]TICAL DESC5T >E ACTUALLY UNMOV+1 >E CONT9U\S LIQUID ?READS ?AT REA* FROM /ORM-FRONT D[N TO /REET 9 LONG P>ABOLAS ?R\< SOLID TIME4 ,C>E5+ LIKE SOME ,H9DU GOD OR /ROBOSCOPIC PHOTOGRAPH AMID ! /ATIC CRY/AL FLOSS1 ONLY ! MOTION ( HIS M9D 9 ! CONCEAL$ DIRECTION MAKES IT RA94 ,NO?+1 EXCEPT+ ! 9VOLUNT>Y =W>D MOM5TUM ( HIS CONSCI\SNESS FROM ONE HALF-SECOND TO ! NEXT1 TRANSMUTES ! ANGRY M>TIAL /ATU>Y ( A PUB Y>D 9TO ! YAPP+ BRAWL ) SETTL$ SCORES & NOSES BLOSSOM+ TO BLOODFL[]S4 ,! PROCESS ( HIS ATT5TIONS TURNS ! SKY1 & O!RWISE ! CL\DS & ZODIAC >E /ILL4 ,ROGUE ,ELEPHANT ,BOYS1 UNAFRAID ( ANYBODY1 SW]VE 9 !IR /AMP$E TO KEEP \T ( HIS WAY = FE> ?AT HIS CONDITION MI<T BE CAT*+1 T]RIFI$ LE/ !Y 5D UP AS HUMAN SPID]S MORE CONT5T$ ) ! V]TICAL ?AN ) ! HORIZONTAL1 RAIL+ FROM A RO(TOP AB\T AS%OLES1 LIFEBELTS & GEOMETRY4 ,HE /ROLLS BETWE5 ! BLOODY1 >C+ BILLHOOKS ( !IR CONFRONTATIONS UNCONC]N$1 A PRESCI5T PIGEON /RUTT+ C>ELESSLY AMONG ! DROPP+ HOOVES & CRU%+ C>RIAGE :EELS4 ,! RUCTIONS & ! RAZORS CANNOT KILL HIM2 CANNOT H9D] HIM 9 HIS EV5TUAL APPO9TM5T ) ! TULIPS & ! LOOK+-GLASSES1 FIFTY YE>S FROM H]E & 9 ANO!R T[N1 ANO!R C5TURY4 ,HE'D LIKE TO MEET A ,SPR+-,HEEL$ ,JACK1 ONE ( ! PHANTOM CLAN PROLIFIC 9 ! CITY ?R\<\T ! PREC$+ DECADE1 LEAP+ FLEA-LIKE OV] B>NS & MIDD5S ) !IR FIREBALL BREA? REFLECT+ 9 ! CIRCUL> GLASS L5SES ( !IR EYES4 ,EV5 %\LD !Y PROVE TO BE M>%-GAS OR ELSE ,PEPP]'S ,<O/S1 !ATRIC SPECT]S CONJUR$ 9 AN ANGL$ PANE1 /ILL HE BELIEVES HE'D F9D AN EASI] B]? 9 ?AT \TRAGE\S TR\PE ?AN ) ! FLI<TLESS COMPANY ABROAD UPON ! AV5UES & BRIDGES1 H>NESS$ BY ! FLATT5$ LIMITS ( !IR ,LUDO-TOK5 DAYS4 ,SORE PIMPLES BUBBLE 9 ! CREASES ( HIS NOSE & DIRT SILTS ON ! WEBB+ 9 BETWE5 HIS F+]S1 A SALIVA-BORN BLACK RESIDUE CA/ UP BY NE>-9CESSANT SELF-POLLUTION4 ,BE] IS ! BR[N BLANKET ?AT HE PULLS OV] HIS HEAD TO MUFFLE A CAJOL+ WORLD ON ?OSE OCCASIONS :5 HE FEELS HIS T5D] AGE1 :5 UND]/&+ RAW APOCALYPSE 9 EV]Y1 EV]Y1 EV]Y 9/ANT IS TOO MU* = HIM4 ,AT NI<T HE HE>S ! H]ALD ANGLES BELL[+ FI]CE IMPRECATIONS 9 !IR QUE] EXPLOD+ LANGUAGE & HE HUDDLES ) HIS DAFFY SI/]1 :O CAN HE> !M TOO4 0,DON'T CRY1 ,?URSE4 ,IT'S NOT Y\ !Y'RE AFT]40 ,:ILE ?IS ISN'T TRUE IT SETS ! BIRD-?9 FIFTE5-YE>-OLD'S E*O+ CA!DRAL M9D TO RE/1 AT LEA/ UNTIL ! NEXT TIME ?AT ! BUILD]S :O KNOCK$ UP ! SUN DANCE ON ! RO( 9 ?UND]-BOOTS & %\T !IR T]RIBLE IMP]ATIVES4 ,!Y'RE AFT] EV]YONE1 ?AT'S ! PLA9 FACT ( IT1 BUT SAVE !IR 5]GIES = ?OSE :O >E NOT DEAF TO !IR D]ANG+ VOICES1 HIM ESPECIALLY4 ,SOMETIMES HE LOOKS = SOLACE ON ! PLEASURE-HILLS1 AMID ! MILLION LAMPS & CANCAN ?I<S ( ,HI<BURY ) ALL ! O!R FREAKS & ACROBATS1 & EV5 !RE HE HE>S !IR TYPHOON REMON/RATIONS TELL+ HIM TO B$ ?IS WOMAN BUT NOT ?AT ONE1 TELL+ HIM TO HOBBLE SIXTY MILES NOR?WE/ OR %9 A HUNDR$ FEET DIRECTLY UPW>DS4 ,UNSOLICIT$ !Y %[ HIM TABLEAUX FROM A LITTLE FUR!R D[N HIS 9DIVIDUAL FLE%Y TUNNEL AS IT WORMS ITS WAY 9TO FUTURITY4 ,!RE IS A M>RIAGE 9 A F9E HALL ) A BUILD] WAT*+ FROM ! RO(TOP'S CRE/4 ,!RE IS A GR&*ILD BORN !N BORN AWAY1 & EV5 :5 HE'S DEAD1 :5 EV]YONE & EV]Y?+ >E DEAD1 HE KN[S ?AT 

! OLD W>HORSE *>GES NAK$ ON A F9AL HI<WAY1 BABY-RIDD5 UND] GRADUALLY MIGRANT GALAXIES4 ,! DOOMSDAY RAMBL]S PAUSE LESS FREQU5TLY ALONG ! FEATURELESS ROCK RIBBON TO MAKE CAMP & FEA/ ON !IR DECREAS+ FUNGAL RATIONS1 SPITT+ \T ! OPTIC PIPS 9 HOPE ( ?RIV+ ,PUCK'S ,HAT COLONIES AS FOOD CA*ES = !IR EV5TUAL HOMECOM+4 ,:5 !Y APPROXIMATE SLEEP1 ,SN[Y SETTLES = A B$ ( /ONE & CURLS HIS KNOBBLY SP9E AB\T ! 9FANT MUMBL+ 9 H] WOLFSK9 BAG :ILE SPACE & TIME >E /EADILY UNPICK$ ABOVE4 ,DUR+ ! DAYLI<T MILES IT IS APP>5T ?AT ! ,E>? HAS CL\D ONCE MORE1 FURL$ O*] CELLOPHANE :I* ,MAY SURMISES MAY BE *LOR9E 9 AN ADMIXTURE ) ME?ANE4 ,DUR+ D>K ! HALF-MOON MULTIPLIES 9TO A ,DECO AB/RACT WREA!D 9 VAPOR1 ) ITS LI<T A SPECTROGRAPHIC HALO-/A9 ON EV5+'S FILT] PAP]4 ,ALL ?IS *ANGE & DI/ANCE1 ,SN[Y ?9KS1 & !Y'VE NOT LEFT ! ,BOR\<S4 ,LITTLE ,CROSS ,/REET & ,BA? ,PASSAGE >E /ILL D[N B5EA? !M SOME:]E1 ALBEIT 9 A /ATE ( *EMICAL & GEOLOGICAL DET]IORATION4 ,!Y CONT9UE4 ,:5 ! SACK ( ,MAD ,APPLES IS F9ALLY ALL BUT EXHAU/$ !Y EXP]I5CE :AT FIR/ SEEMS TO BE A MIRAGE BORN ( />VATION1 A PECULI> MIRROR-FLUKE ( ! GREAT ALLEY'S ATMOSPH]ICS3 RAC+ D[N ! B>R5 /RIP T[>DS !M FROM ITS F> 5D COMES AN OLD MAN ) A BABY ON HIS %\LD]S4 ,SO EXACT IS ! REFLECTION ?AT ! TRAVEL]S HALF-EXPECT AN IMM95T COLLISION ) SOME MON/R\S PANE H]ETO 9VISIBLE1 BO? KNOCK$ UNCONSCI\S1 LEAV+ A ,DAGU]REOTYPE ( !IR SPREAD-EAGLE IMPACT PR9T$ ON ! GLASS 9 FEA!R-RESIDUE4 ,!Y >E SURPRIS$1 !N1 :5 !IR DOPPELGANG]S TURN \T TO BE AS SUB/ANTIAL AS !MSELVES2 TURN \T 9DE$ TO BE !MSELVES ON ! RETURN LEG ( !IR LEG5D>Y J\RNEY4 ,BO? ! ,MAYS DISM\NT & HUG EA* O!R :ILE ! OLD M5 M]ELY %AKE EA* O!R GRUFFLY BY ! H&4 0,WELL1 N[4 ,H[ HAS ?IS BUS9ESS COME AB\T80 0,IT'S H>D TO SAY4 ,IT /RIKES ME ?AT ! 5D ( TIME IS LIKE ! LA/ DAY ( A S*OOL T]M1 :5 ! NON-ESS5TIAL RULES MAY BE SOME:AT RELAX$ & M9OR P>ADOXICAL 9FR+EM5TS >E OCCASIONALLY P]MITT$40 0,DID Y\ REA* ! 5D ( TIME1 !N80 0,OH1 MO/ C]TA9LY1 BUT Y\'LL APPRECIATE ?AT IT W\LD BE IMPROP] ( US TO CONVEY MORE ?AN ! SCANTE/ DETAILS40 0,Y\ DON'T WANT TO PU% Y\R LUCK ) ALL ! P>ADOX & ?AT80 0,?AT'S IT EXACTLY4 ,I CAN TELL Y\ ?AT Y\'LL DO ALL RI<T = ,PUCK'S ,HATS1 ?\<4 ,ONLY A FEW WEEKS WE/ ( H]E WE'VE LATELY PASS$ ! PLACE :]E Y\ WILL %ORTLY SPIT Y\R LA/ FEW SE$S \T1 & !RE'S A F9E PAT* ( FAIRY-BLOSSOMS ALREADY E/ABLI%$4 ,SOME WAY FUR!R ON Y\'LL F9D ANO!R1 PROBABLY RESULT+ FROM ! SPAT-\T EYEBALLS ( ! COLONY JU/ M5TION$1 & SO =? UNTIL Y\ REA* ! PO9T :]E ,I AM N[ & F9D Y\RSELF EXPLA9+ ALL ?IS CLAPTRAP TO A SLI<TLY Y\NG] FELL[4 ,IT OCCURS TO ME ?AT WE HAVE POSSIBLY HAD \R BEHAVIOR CONTROLL$ BY ,B$LAM ,J5NIES SO ?AT !Y MAY PROPAGATE !IR SPECIES TO ! V]Y LIMITS ( SPACETIME'S DURATION40 0,PUT LIKE ?AT IT S\NDS LIKE AN \TL&I% NOTION1 BUT UPON REFLECTION ,I'LL ALL[ ?AT IT PROVIDES A /RONG] MOTIVE = \R VISIT TO ! 5D ( TIME1 :I* UNTIL N[ HAS ONLY BE5 TO F9D IF SU* A ?+ IS !RE OR NOT1 & :AT IT LOOKS LIKE IF IT IS40 0,OH1 IT'S A SI<T1 Y\ CAN BE SURE ( IT4 ,BY !N1 ( C\RSE1 ! MASS ( ?+S IS GONE & TAK5 ) IT ALL ! GRAVITY4 ,LIKEWISE ! NUCLE> =CES >E BY !N RETIR$ & PUT TO B$1 BUT /ILL1 = SAY+ !RE IS V]Y LITTLE SUB/ANCE IT'S A MO/ SUB/ANTIAL %[4 ,AH1 WELL4 ,WE'VE DALLI$ LONG 5\<1 & ,I DO NOT RECALL \R CONV]SATION HAV+ HAD A GREAT DEAL MORE TO IT ?AN ?IS4 ,MI<T ,I SUGGE/ WE %\LD] \R RESPECTIVE BABIES1 TAK+ GREAT C>E NOT TO MIX !M UP & ?US CAUSE AN 9SOLUBLE CONTROV]SY1 FOLL[+ :I* WE %ALL BO? BE UPON \R SEP>ATE WAYS1 AS ,I RECALL ?IS PUZZL+ BUT NOT UNWELCOME 9CID5T40 ,! TWO ,MAYS1 :O HAVE BE5 CONV]S+ QUIETLY ?R\<\T ALL ?IS1 >E LIFT$ BACK UP ONTO !IR RESPECTIVE /E$S4 ,AFT] AN UNEXPECT$LY EMOTIONAL F>EWELL BO? DUOS ONCE AGA9 CONT9UE ) !IR J\RNEYS1 B>E FEET SLAPP+ ON ! CAUSEWAY'S RUGG$ /ONE1 HEAD+ 9 OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS ON !IR TI<TROPE OV] TIME UNTIL 9 ONLY A FEW H\RS ( DI/ANCE !Y >E MUTUALLY 9VISIBLE4 ,PROGRESS+ 9EXORABLY T[>DS ! 5D ( EV]Y?+1 ! 5D ( EV5 5D+S1 ,SN[Y'S NOM9ALLY E>LI] 9C>NATION ASKS HIS PASS5G] :AT PASS$ BETWE5 H] & ! O!R ,MAY DUR+ !IR UNANTICIPAT$ MEET+4 0,I MADE SURE ?AT ,I REMEMB]$ EV]Y?+ %E TOLD ME SO ?AT ,I C\LD SAY IT BACK CORRECTLY BY ! TIME ,I'M H]4 ,! MO/ IMPORTANT ?+ %E SAID WAS1 ',WE HAVE COME BACK FROM ,J]USALEM1 :]E WE F\ND NOT :AT WE S\<T4' ,I ASK$ H] :AT %E MEANT1 BUT %E JU/ %OOK H] HEAD & W\LDN'T TELL ME40 ,P\ND+ D[N ! H>D MILES TO F9ALITY1 ,SN[Y CONSID]S ?IS4 ,O!R ?AN AN OBSCURE SUSPICION ?AT ! COMM5T MI<T HAVE SOME CONNECTION ) ! SAME ,PR(ESSOR ,JUNG :O FAIL$ TO FA?OM ,LUCIA ,JOYCE1 HE IS NO NE>] TO A RESOLUTION BY ! TIME HE & HIS RID] REA* ! P>ADOXICAL EXPANSE ( ,PUCK'S ,HATS ?AT !IR FUTURE SELVES HAVE TOLD !M TO EXPECT4 ,!Y DUTIFULLY EAT ! LA/ ( !IR EXI/+ RATIONS1 SPITT+ \T ! PRETTY EYES BE=E !Y GO ON TO COLLECT A SACK-FULL ( ! MATURE BLOSSOMS ?AT ?OSE SE$S WILL GR[ OR HAVE ALREADY GR[N 9TO4 ,D9+ UPON IMPOSSIBILITIES ! OLD MAN CAN /ILL PICTURE H[ 

HIS E>LIE/ 5C\NT] ) ! FOOD ?AT <O/S EAT COMES :5 HE'S AG$ TWELVE & DRUNK ON ALE = ! FIR/ TIME1 A BRIMM+ JUG HE'S SWIP$ FROM HOME & SWIFTLY EMPTI$ 9 ! =NICATION-SC5T$ ALLEYWAYS ( ,LAMBE?4 ,REEL+ FULL ( BRAV]Y & POISON PA/ ! WALLS ( ! OLD ,BE?LEHEM1 HIS /UMBLE IS >RE/$ BY ! SI<T ( FLICK]+ COLOR DANC+ JU/ ABOVE ! D>K5$ PAV+ SLABS AHEAD4 ,9 ! SAME WAY ?AT FLOAT+ %APES BEH9D ! EYELIDS (T5 CRY/ALLIZE 9TO COH]5T IMAGES :5 ON ! BR9K ( SLEEP1 SO TOO DOES ! PRISMATIC %IMM]+ RESOLVE 9TO AN 9SUB/ANTIAL COT]IE ( T9Y LADIES ) NO CLO!S ON4 ,?R\< ! 9T]V5+ FOLDS ( BE] & MURK HE M>VELS AT !IR TITS & FANNIES1 BE+ ! FIR/ PROP] ONES HE'S SE51 & CAN'T BELIEVE HIS LUCK4 ,! WOM5 WAV] & !RE IS A S\ND !Y MAKE ?AT IS 9ITIALLY LIKE 9DIVIDUAL VOICES GIGGL+1 & YET AFT] A TIME !SE SEEM TO M]GE 9TO A HI<-PIT*$ :9E AT ! P]IPH]Y ( ! Y\NG DRUNK>D'S HE>+4 ,HE /&S LEAN+ ) ONE PALM AGA9/ ! MOSSY /ONE ( ! ASYLUM GATEPO/1 WOND]+ MUDDILY IF ?IS MEANS HE'S AB\T TO DIE1 & IS NOT REASSUR$ :5 PASS+ /ROLL]S SEEM TO ONLY LAU< OR VOICE !IR DISAPPROVAL AT HIS OBVI\S 9EBRIATION :ILE !Y KICK OBLIVI\SLY BY OR ?R\< ! HAZE ( NAK$ MANIK9S CAVORT+ AT !IR FEET4 ,HE UND]/&S ) A DULL PANG ( APPREH5SION ?AT !SE MANIFE/$ FANTASIES >E VISIBLE OR AUDIBLE TO HIM ALONE1 P]HAPS A VISION PRESAG+ HIS [N 9T]NM5T 9 ! 9/ITUTION HE IS CURR5TLY PROPP$ UP AGA9/1 MADE AN APPR5TICE MADMAN TO HIS [N 9C>C]AT$ FA!R1 BO? (F ) ! FAIRIES4 ,SWALL[+ W>M SPIT HE ?9KS AB\T ! 9MATE ?AT HE SAW ON HIS LA/ VISIT ) HIS SI/]1 ELD]LY & SCABBY-FAC$ FROM ! REPEAT$ SELF-9FLICT$ BEAT+ ( HIS HEAD AGA9/ A DOOR4 ,! /OL5 BOOZE & SCALD+ BILE ]UPT 9TO ,JOHN ,V]NALL'S ?ROAT & HE IS COPI\SLY1 BLASPHEM\SLY SICK OV] ! GOSSAM]-W+$ LITTLE PEOPLE SWIRL+ UNCONC]N$ AB\T HIS ANKLES4 ,UNDULATE AS WE$ 9 WAT] ! TRANSLUC5T NYMPHS IGNORE SLIV]S ( FI%-FLE% FROM HIS SUPP]1 P>T-DISSOLV$ & /EAM+1 & CONT9UE ) !IR LAZY SWAY AS IF MOV$ BY A BREEZE OR CURR5T RA!R ?AN !IR [N VOLITION4 ,SWEAT /REAMS D[N HIS =EHEAD4 ,FOOT-LONG ?READS ( DRIBBLE DANGLE TREMBL+ FROM HIS PANT+ M\?1 HIS SAGG+ *91 & ! DAMP PAVEM5T IS ON FIRE ) GIRLS4 ,!IR P]FECT P9K-:ITE FACES >E ID5TICAL & MAKE HIM ?9K ( SUG> MICE1 ! FEATURES BLANK & MOTIONLESS ) NO MORE HUMAN FEEL+ ?AN IF HE W]E SCRUT9IZ+ SOME +5I\SLY CAM\FLAG$ V>IETY ( 9SECT1 HORRID BEETLE ?\<TS CONCEAL$ BEH9D ! PA9T$ IC+ ( !IR EYES4 ,! M]E IDEA PRECIPITATES A SECOND SURGE ( VOMIT & ! UNCONC]N$ M9USCULE FEMALES1 /OOD 9 ITS F\L SPATT] AS ?\< %[]+ 9 SOME CRY/AL WAT]FALL1 ELICIT YET A ?IRD4 ,DI/ANTLY HE BECOMES AW>E ?AT O!R PASS]SBY >E DRAW+ CLOS] & PREP>ES = FUR!R MOCK]Y1 ONLY TO LOOK UP 9 SURPRISE :5 ?IS IS NOT =?COM+4 ,EV5 ?R\< ! FILT] ( HIS REEL+ S5SES HE IMM$IATELY REALIZES ?AT !RE'S SOME?+ WRONG ) ! APPROA*+ ONLOOK]S4 ,DRIFT+ UNHURRI$LY T[>DS HIM ALONG ! 9ADEQUATELY GAS-LIT /REET COME TWO M5 & A WOMAN1 %ABBILY ATTIR$ & )\T ANY COLOR :ATSOEV]1 FIGURES C>V$ FROM SMOKE4 ,!Y SEEM TO BE 9 AGITAT$ CONV]SATION BUT ! NOISE ( ?IS IS MUFFL$1 AS IF COME FROM F> AWAY OR ELSE AS ?\< HIS E>S >E PLUGG$ ) WAX4 ,! TRIO PAUSE :5 !Y DRAW LEVEL & REG>D HIM1 ALBEIT ) A LESS JUDGM5TAL EYE ?AN ! NOCTURNAL /RAGGL]S :O PASS$ HIM E>LI]4 ,ONE ( ! M5 SAYS SOME?+ TO ! ODDLY DRESS$ OLD WOMAN1 EVID5TLY ) REG>D TO ! 9EBRIAT$ UR*91 BUT IT'S MU* TOO FA9T TO HE>4 ,%IV]+ N[ & DR5*$ 9 ICY P]SPIRATION1 HE IS DISAPPO9T$ TO DISCOV] ?AT !SE UNOBTRUSIVE NEWCOM]S >E NO MORE ABLE TO P]CEIVE ! PIXIES PIR\ETT+ 9 HIS SPEW ?AN W]E !IR RAUC\S PR$ECESSORS4 ,SOME?+ ELSE1 H[EV]1 SEEMS TO HAVE ATTRACT$ !IR ATT5TION3 SILV]Y & GRAY LIKE A ,DAGU]REOTYPE1 ! CRONE 9 H] OLD-FA%ION$ SKIRTS & BONNET IS N[ PO9T+ TO ! UPP] REA*ES ( ! PILL> ?AT ! BOY IS SLUMP$ AGA9/4 ,H] LIPS >E MOV+ AS ?\< UND] GLASS1 H] UTT]ANCES ONLY AUDIBLE TO H] TWO MALE & MONO*ROME COMPANIONS1 ONE ( :OM /EPS =W>D N[ & REA*ES UP TO FUMBLE UND] ! ]OD$1 JUTT+ LIP ( ! PO/'S CAP/ONE4 ,AS HE DOES1 ONE ( HIS SOOTY >MS SLIPS ?R\< ,JOHN'S [N \T/RET*$ & TREMBL+ LIMB AS IF IT ISN'T !RE4 ,! TALL & SP9DLY MAN SEEMS TO BE PRIZ+ SOME?+ BLURR$ & 9DI/9CT FROM (F ! MADH\SE GATES1 & SIMULTANE\SLY ! PRETTY M9IATURES >E GUTT]+ LIKE C&LE FLAMES4 ,! %RILL HUM ?AT HE HAD AT FIR/ MI/AK5 = !IR VOICES RISES TO A MADD5+ :I/LE & !N %UTS (F ALTOGE!R1 AT :I* PO9T ! PYGMY DANC]S VANI% 9TO SC9TILLAT+ DU/ & HE IS />+ ONLY AT A POOL ( HIS [N REC5T /OMA* CONT5TS UPON :I* ! IRIDESC5T MEAT-FLIES >E ALREADY SETTL+4 ,! L(TY WRAI? IS LIFT+ SOME?+ D[N1 SOME %AD[Y & WRI?+ OCTOPUS OR HYDRA1 TE>+ (F ITS LIMBS & %>+ !M AMONG HIS PHANTOM COLLEAGUES AS ! ?REE FADE GRADUALLY FROM SI<T4 ,SURR5D]+1 ! WAYW>D Y\? CLOSES HIS EYES4 ,! LIQUID %APES BLOOM$ FROM ?AT PRIVATE D>K >E TRUANT />S ABOVE A CEASELESSLY UNREEL+ SCROLL ( PA? :]E 

! REL5TLESS BAG ( BONES RUNS ON1 HUN*BACK$ ) 9NOC5CE4 ,! B>R5 AV5UE ?AT VANI%ES B5EA? HIM IS 5TIRELY FEATURELESS SAVE = ! WELCOME CLU/]S ( *RONOLOGY-DEFY+ ,B$LAM ,J5NIES1 SO MU* SO ?AT !SE OASES1 BLOSSOM$ FROM ! B$ROCK AT R\<LY MILL5NIAL 9T]VALS1 BECOME ! TRAVEL]S' ONLY CLOCK OR CAL5D>4 ,EV5 ! AP]TURES ?AT ONCE LOOK$ D[N ON ! T]RE/RIAL ,FIR/ ,BOR\< >E N[ MO/LY GONE1 HEAL$ OV] ) :AT SEEM TO BE VOLCANIC S$IM5TS1 & O!R ?AN CELE/IAL DRAMAS ACT$ ON ! CANOPIES ( NI<T OR DAYLI<T OV]HEAD !IR EXP$ITION IS )\T EV5T4 ,AT !IR 9FREQU5T RE/-/OPS !Y READ *APT]S FROM ,MISS ,DRISCOLL'S BOOK TO ONE ANO!R & ATTEMPT TO CALCULATE1 FROM ! CONFIGURATIONS ( ! SKY1 H[ MANY BILLION YE>S !Y >E FROM HOME4 ,SN[Y ?9KS TWO BUT ,MAY SEEMS RELATIVELY C]TA9 ?AT IT'S ?REE4 ,9 ! NOCTURNAL /RET*ES ( !IR J\RNEY 9TO AFT]W>DS ! OV]HANG+ FIRMAM5T SEEMS CRAMM$ ) HYP]-/>S1 A LOT MORE ?AN !RE US$ TO BE4 ,! LE>N$ 9FANT SPECULATES ?AT ?IS /ELL> PR(USION HAS RESULT$ FROM ! ,MILKY ,WAY COMM5C+ ITS COLLISION ) ANO!R A/RONOMICAL >RAY1 MO/ PROBABLY ,&ROM$A4 ,H] !ORY IS CORROBORAT$ AFT] SEV5TY OR EI<TY FUR!R ,PUCK'S ,HAT PAT*ES HAVE BE5 PASS$1 BY :I* PO9T ! IMMEASURABLE D>K ABOVE !M IS A *AOS ( CRA%+ SUNS1 A CATA/ROPHIC BALLET /AG$ 9 EXTRA MA!MATICAL DIM5SIONS4 ,! APPALL+ C5T]PIECE ( ?IS P]=MANCE IS A /RUGGLE TO ! DEA? BETWE5 TWO FIELDS ( NO?+NESS1 HUNGRY IMM5SITIES :I* ,MAY 9=MS H] GR&FA!R >E SAID TO LURK UNSE5 AT EA* />-SY/EM'S HE>T1 !IR FRI<TFUL MASS RESPONSIBLE = TURN+ ! JEWEL$ NEBULAE4 ,! SPH]ES ( BLACKNESS >E MADE VISIBLE BY RADIAT+ SILV] HALOS ( :AT ! EI<TE5-MON?-OLD BELIEVES TO BE UNFOLD$ ,X-RAYS SP9DL+ \T TO FILL ! HEAV5S1 ! TW9 AURAS OV]LAPP+ 9 A T]RIFY+ MOIRE ( ANNIHILATION4 ,FUR!R SCRUT9Y REVEALS ?AT BO? MON/ROSITIES >E WE>+ TROPHY-BELTS ( DU/ ACCUMULAT$ FROM ! HELPLESS 9T]/ELL> BODIES !Y HAVE :IRL$ >\ND AT 9CONCEIVABLE VELOCITIES & SMA%$ TOGE!R1 PULV]IZ$ ON IMPACT4 ,9EXORABLY ! D>K GIANTS MAKE !IR MUTUAL APPROA*1 CANNIBAL EMP]ORS UNWAV]+ 9 !IR DET]M9ATION TO DEV\R EA* O!R !RE 9 ! >5A ( A RU9$ COSMOS4 ,TRY+ NOT TO LOOK AT ! D]ANG+ SPECTACLE ABOVE !M1 ,SN[Y & HIS GR&DAU<T] PASS ON4 ,YE>S 9 !IR ?\S&S >E LEFT TRAMPL$ UND]FOOT4 ,! W>R+ MIDNI<T ABS5CES PRESID+ OV] ?AT B>E /RIP ( TRACK APPE> TO BE ATTEMPT+ SOME TREM5D\S FUSION 9TO ONE LI<T-SWALL[+ COLOSSUS1 ) ! RIOT+ />S AB\T !M GRADUALLY RESOLV$ 9TO A NEW M]G$ GALAXY ?AT ,SN[Y DUBS ,MILKDROM$A BUT ,MAY REF]S TO AS ! ,&Y ,WAY4 ,! TRAVEL]S P]SEV]E1 AMUS+ !MSELVES BY 9V5T+ NAMES = ! UNRECOGNIZABLY COLLID$ CON/ELLATIONS1 BIR?-SIGNS = AN ]A )\T BIR?S3 ! ,GREAT ,*RYSAN!MUM1 ! ,BICYCLE1 ! ,LITTLE ,TRAMP4 ,!Y C>RY ON1 & DUR+ ! DIURNAL REA*ES ( !IR PASSAGE OBS]VE ?AT ! UNPACK$ FIREBALL AB\T :I* ! PLANET SP9S IS NOTICEABLY L>G]1 AN EFFECT ?AT CAN NO LONG] BE ATTRIBUT$ TO ATMOSPH]IC VAG>IES4 ,! :ITE-GOLD ORB'S 5GORGEM5T WORS5S & :5 !Y HAVE HIK$ ANO!R MILLION OR SO YE>S !RE IS ABOVE !M NO?+ BUT 9F]NO FROM HORIZON TO HORIZON1 ,M]CURY & ,V5US BO? 5GULF$ ALREADY 9 ! BLOODY SOL> BLOAT4 ,= :AT SEEMS AN UN5D+ DI/ANCE ! 9TREPID PAIR >E J\RNEY+ 9 FLAME & SETTL+ D[N TO SLEEP ON EMB] /ONES ?AT PULSE R$ & TRANSLUC5T EV5 ?R\< ! ECTOPLASM ( ! C\PLE'S EYELIDS4 ,BO? AGREE ?AT SLUMB] ON A BURN+ B$ IS CONTR>Y TO EV]Y HUMAN 9/9CT & ?US (F]S LITTLE 9 ! WAY ( RESPITE1 ?\< ( C\RSE !Y >E NO MORE DISCOMFIT$ BY ! APP>5T HEAT ?AN BY ! ICEB\ND FLOORBO>DS ( :AT N[ SEEMS AN ET]NITY AGO4 ,TO !IR CONSID]ABLE RELIEF1 ! FAIRY-FUNGUS ?AT SU/A9S !M SEEMS ALIKE IMP]VI\S TO SU* P]CEIV$ AM5DM5TS ( ! TEMP]ATURE1 & AT !IR NEXT /OP !Y DISCOV] AN EXT5SIVE COLONY ( ! EXQUISITE RADIAT+ DOLL-=MS ?RIV+ ON ?AT FURNACE-BRI<T T]RA94 ,SOLDI]+ ON1 :5 ,MAY & ,SN[Y HAVE AT LA/ BECOME ACCU/OM$ TO 9CESSANT CONFLAGRATION SO ?AT PYROTE*NIC VI/AS >E NO LONG] CAUSE = COMM5T1 IT TAKES C\NTLESS C5TURIES BE=E !Y REALIZE ?AT ! ELD]LY & SWOLL5 SUN IS DW9DL+ BY /EADY 9CREM5TS 9 ! LONG1 %AMEFAC$ AFT]MA? ( ITS 9FANTICIDAL B+E4 ,A NE>-9CALCULABLE DI/ANCE LAT] IT HAS BE5 R$UC$ TO A DISC>D$ CIG>ETTE-5D1 W9K+ \T ( BE+ 9 ! UNIV]SE'S LI<TLESS GUTT]4 ,SOLEMNLY AW>E ?AT !Y >E WITNESS+ ! DEA? ( DAY1 ! OLD MAN & ! *ILD PROCE$ ) !IR EXCURSION 9TO UNRELIEV$ IMMORTAL NI<T4 ,AS !Y PROGRESS ! D>K ABOVE !M IS EVACUAT$ ( ITS LA/ ILLUM9ATIONS :5 EV5 ! />LI<T IS EXT+UI%$1 ,>CTURUS & ,ALGOL EI!R SNUFF$ LIKE C&LES OR ELSE RELOCAT$ BY A CON/ANTLY EXP&+ UNIV]SE TO SOME:]E \T BEYOND ! CURVATURE ( SPACETIME2 OV] ! CONT9UUM'S HORIZON & TOO F> AWAY = EV5 RADIANCE TO TRAVEL4 ,NAVIGAT+ ) !IR DEAD-SI<T !Y MOVE ?R\< A L&SCAPE ) ITS CONT\R \TL9ES /IT*$ 9 T9SEL4 ,F9ALLY DISORI5T$ BY HIS [N DURATION1 ,SN[Y WOND]S IF ! :OLE ADV5TURE IS ANO!R ( HIS FABUL\S DELUSIONS1 FLA%+ MOM5T>ILY ?R\< HIS DISORD]$ M9D AS 

HE GOES W&]+ FROM HIS ,=T ,/REET HOME1 UNC]TA9 ( :AT YE> IT IS OR :]E HE LIVES4 ,%UFFL+ LO/ D[N ,MOAT ,/REET HE REMEMB]S IT AS BE+ FILL$ ) WAT] ONCE & WOND]S :5 !Y HAD IT DRA9$4 ,! FI% MU/ HAVE LOOK$ DREADFUL1 FLOPP+ & ASPHYXIAT+ 9 ! GUTT]S4 ,IT ALL *ANGES 9 A W9K !SE DAYS1 EV]Y?+ VANI%+ OR TURN+ 9TO SOME?+ DIFF]5T4 ,FOLL[+ A PA? ( LEA/ RESI/ANCE1 A WELL-TRODD5 /REET-PLAN CREASE1 HE ROLLS UP ,BRI/OL ,/REET & D[N ,*ALK ,LANE :]E !RE >E POPPIES SQUIRT+ \T ( BR[N-GOLD CREVICES 9 ! OLD BURIAL GR\ND'S LIME/ONE WALL4 ,ACROSS ! WAY ! TURQUOISE PA9T ON ! ,BLUE ,AN*OR'S SIGNBO>D PEELS & CURLS BEGUIL+LY B5EA? ! %>P5$ ,W$NESDAY MORN+ SUN%9E1 EV]Y DETAIL ( ITS SCABBY SURFACE LIMN$ 9 FIRE4 ,HE KN[S !Y'VE GOT A LOVELY GIRL BEH9D ! B> !RE AT ! ,AN*OR1 BEAUTIFUL ,L\ISA :O HE GOT HIS OATS ) D[N 9 ,BECKETT'S ,P>K A :ILE AGO4 ,HE ONLY HOPES HIS MISSUS NEV] LE>NS ( IT4 ,B5EA? A FLEET+ CL\D ( MUDDL$ GUILT HE %AMBLES ON ?R\< SUMM]1 HEAD+ = ,BLACK ,LION ,HILL & ,M>EFAIR D[N ! DAPPL$ LANE4 ,C>?ORSES NOD 9 PASS+ TO EA* O!R ON ! BL9D+ COBBLES & HE WEAVES HIS PASSAGE CAUTI\SLY BETWE5 !M TO ! SANCTU>Y PAVEM5T \TSIDE ,PET]'S ,*UR* :ILE ALL ! CRUMBL+ MON/]S ( ITS /ONEWORK GAPE AT HIM 9 \TRAGE4 ,:5 HE MAKES HIS WAY ALONG A HAIRL9E ALLEY TO ! BUILD+'S RE> ! ,SAXON *APEL SEEMS TO HIM ABLAZE ) MOM5T & SIGNIFICANCE AS IF HE'S LOOK+ AT IT = ! FIR/ TIME OR ! LA/1 & 9 ,N>R[ ,TOE ,LANE HE F9DS HE CANNOT SEE = TE>S AL?\< HE DOESN'T KN[ :AT !Y'RE 9 AID ( & )9 A DOZ5 PACES HAS =GOTT5 !M4 ,:ITE CUMULI SLIDE D[N ! SKY LIKE FOAMY SPITTLE OV] ,GRE5 ,/REET4 ,UND]FOOT ! ,YORK /ONE FLAGS C>RY ! SC>S ( ANCI5T RIV]S1 FOSSIL F+]PR9TS ?AT HE SUPPOSES W]E MADE SEV]AL HUNDR$ MILLION YE>S AGO :5 ONLY TRILOBITES & AMMONITES LIV$ 9 ?IS LITTLE R[ ( T]RAC$ H\SES1 SLI!R+ \T TO SIT & *AT ON !IR FRONT /EPS DUR+ ! W>M ,PRECAMBRIAN EV5+S4 ,! ANCE/RAL BUILD+S1 CR\*$ & TIR$ & LEAN+ ON EA* O!R1 HAVE AN AURA ( FAMILI>ITY AS IF ! MILLIP$E ( HIS TRUE =M EXPRESS$ ?R\< TIME HAS ON C\NTLESS OCCASIONS D\BL$ BACK & =? UPON ITSELF ALONG !SE WEA!R$ SLABS1 & IT OCCURS TO HIM ?AT HE HAS FAMILY H]E4 ,DOESN'T HE HAVE A DAU<T] LIV+ SOME:]E R\ND !SE P>TS1 A GIRL NAM$ ,MAY8 ,OR IS IT ,MAY :O DI$ ( ! DIPH!RIA :5 %E WAS JU/ A BABY8 ,SN[Y TRUDGES PA/ A SEQU5CE ( ILL-FITT+ WOOD5 DOORS1 !IR NUMB]+ UP 9 ! HI< EI<TIES1 & AT LA/ F9DS ONE HE ?9KS HE RECOGNIZES RI<T AT ! F> 5D1 ,ELEPHANT ,LANE1 D[N ?AT WAY1 NEXT DOOR TO ! BUILD]'S M]*ANTS ) ! PA9T$ GATE4 ,UNPOLI%$ & ?US SL[LY D>K5+1 ! OLD BRASS DOORKNOB SQUIRMS RELUCTANTLY AGA9/ HIS SWEATY PALM !N YIELDS4 ,! HEAVY SLAB ( PIT*-/A9$ BLACK SW+S OP5 ) A :9NY FROM ITS H+ES TO REVEAL A PASSAGEWAY1 ITS WEAK ILLUM9ATION & TEA-BR[N OBSCURITY CONFLAT$ 9 ! OLD MAN'S S5SES ) ITS B\ILLON SC5T ( RIS+ DAMP & SAGG+ FLE%4 ,HE SEES ! HUMAN ODORS1 SMELLS ! LI<T & CANNOT RECALL EV] HAV+ DONE ?+S O!RWISE4 ,%UTT+ ! DOOR BEH9D HIM )\T LOOK+ HE MOVES D[N ! CRAMP$ HALL1 CALL+ \T A SPECULATIVE GREET+ TO ! D>KNESS SQUATT+ HALFWAY UP ! /AIRWAY BUT ! D>K HAS CLE>LY HAD 5\< ( HIM1 LIKE EV]YBODY ELSE1 & DOESN'T ANSW]4 ,NOBODY'S AB\T1 HIS 5TRANCE TO ! SIL5T LIV+ ROOM CONFIRMS1 EXCEPT+ = A CAT ?AT HE BELIEVES MI<T BE CALL$ ,JIM1 ASLEEP BE=E AN UNLIT FIREPLACE1 & ?REE BRI<T VIRIDIAN MEAT-FLIES ?AT HE DOESN'T KN[ ! NAMES (4 ,A S\?-FAC+ W9D[ LADLES RAYS ACROSS ! ROOM 9 /RICTLY RATION$ MEASURES1 SME>+ YELL[ HONEY ON ! GLAZ$ BULGE ( A FL[]-VASE OR ALONG ! V>NI%$ CURVE ( ! PIANO-LID & SUDD5LY IT COMES TO HIM ?AT HE'S KN[N ALL ( ?IS BE=E1 ! CAT1 ! FL[]S1 ! ANGLE ( ! SUN1 ! SAME ?REE NAMELESS FLIES4 ,HE'S KN[N ?IS MOM5T ALL HIS DAYS1 D[N TO ITS MO/ EXCRUCIAT+ DETAIL4 ,P>T ( HIM HAS ALWAYS BE5 H]E 9 ?IS HALF-LIT CUBICLE :ILE HE'S BE5 O!RWISE 5GAG$ ) SWAY+ ON ! ,GUILDHALL'S SLATES & WALK+ 9 A TRANCE TO ,LAMBE?1 VISIT+ HIS FA!R 9 ! MADH\SE1 COPULAT+ ON ! RIV]BANK OR BE+ SICK OV] ! LITTLE FOLK4 ,BY ! SAME TOK5 HE KN[S HE'S /ILL !RE 9 ALL ?OSE O!R PLACES EV5 N[ & DO+ ALL ?OSE O!R ?+S1 /ILL WAV]+ ON ! BR9K ( ?AT TALL RO(TOP2 ?AT %ORT WOMAN4 ,HE IS TEET]+ N[ UPON ! SPECKL$ HE>?SIDE RUG1 F9ALLY OV]COME BY V]TIGO AT ! %E] DROP ( HIS [N CONT9UITY4 ,EXHAU/$ BY IT ALL HE S9KS 9TO A BATT]$ >M*AIR & ! W9D[-%9E BEH9D HIM TURNS HIS ?9N+ HAIR TO PHOSPHOR\S4 ,! *A9$ DOG 9 HIS /OMA* GR[LS REPROA*FULLY & HE'S =GOTT5 ! LA/ TIME HE ATE1 ALONG ) ALL HIS O!R VITAL DETAILS4 ,?IS IS :]E HE DIES1 HE UND]/&S ?AT4 ,!SE WALLS ?AT 5CLOSE HIM >E HIS LA/ ONES & ! WORLD BEYOND ?IS SQU>E ( C>PET IS A WORLD HE'LL NEV] TREAD AGA94 ,HE FEELS REMOTE FROM HIS [N CREAK+ FRAME1 HUNGRY & A*+ 9 ! *AIR1 AS IF HIS CIRCUM/ANCES W]E ALL SOME?+ HAPP5+ 9 A PLAY1 A WELL-KN[N CLOS+ ACT REPEAT$ L9E = L9E1 NI<T AFT] NI<T2 LIFE A RECURR+ DREAM ! DEAD HAVE4 ,! OLD NUISANCE CAN'T TELL IF HE'S REALLY H]E1 ! UNNAM$ FLIES IMPATI5TLY ANTICIPAT+ HIS DEMISE1 OR IF 

HE'S SPR9T+ ?R\< ! F9AL NI<T ?AT HAS NO DAWN ) HIS DEAD GR&*ILD YANK+ AT HIS E>S TO SPUR HIM ON4 ,ABOVE1 ! VOID DISORGANIZES4 ,HEAT IS FL$ SAVE = ?OSE VE/IGES AT ! REACTIVE CORES ( COSMIC HALO OBJECTS1 VA/ ACCUMULATIONS ( D>K MATT] ONLY R5D]$ VISIBLE BY A DECREAS+ PULSE ( 9FR>$ UNTIL ?IS TOO IS CEAS$4 ,! MUFFL$ METRONOME ( PADD+ FEET ON /ONE IS !IR ACCOMPANIM5T 9 /RAITS :]E UNIV]SAL D>KNESS & FRIGIDITY >E MADE 9SEP>ABLE2 :]E BLACK IS JU/ COLD'S COLOR4 ,DOGG$LY !Y J\RNEY ON1 SPACETIME'S LA/ SPECT]S RUNN+ BL9D T[>DS A LIMIT ?AT !Y ONLY KN[ IS !RE BECAUSE !Y'VE MET !MSELVES RETURN+ FROM IT4 ,?IS IS ! ONE C]TA9TY !Y CL+ TO ?R\< ! 5DLESS1 LI<TLESS DI/ANCES1 & IT ONLY :5 !Y >E BEG9N+ TO D\BT EV5 ?IS ?AT FROM H] HUMAN CR['S NE/ ,MAY REPORTS A FLECK ( RADIANCE AT ! VANI%+ PO9T ( !IR ALL-BUT VANI%$ HI<WAY4 ,BY ! TIME !Y'VE DRAWN A FEW MILL5NIA CLOS]1 ?IS SCANT SP>K HAS SWOLL5 TO CONTA9 ! EMPTY SKIES ABOVE 9 !IR 5TIRETY1 A %IMM]+ BUTT]FLY CORONA FROM HORIZON TO HORIZON1 A DISPLAY ( %IFT+ M>BL$ HUES :I* ! TWO PILGRIMS HAVE ALL BUT =GOT ! NAMES (4 ,/OOD AGA9/ ?IS DAZZLE :]E ! ROAD APPE>S TO 5D ABRUPTLY 9 AN IRIDESC5T NO?+ IS :AT SEEMS TO BE A S+LE SILH\ETT$ FIGURE ( UNUSUAL HEI<T & GIR?1 POSITION$ AS ?\< WAIT+ PATI5TLY = ,SN[Y & HIS GR&DAU<T] TO REA* IT4 ,BO? ADV5TUR]S CAN FEEL ! HAIRS RAISE ON !IR NECKS AS SIMULTANE\SLY !Y REA* ! SAME CONCLUSION ) REG>D TO ! OBSCURE %APE'S PROBABLE ID5TITY4 ,!Y'VE EA* ?US F> REACT$ ) A /UDI$LY DISMISSIVE FLIPPANCY TO ! IDEA ?AT !IR P]EGR9ATIONS MI<T 5TAIL SU* AN 5C\NT]1 BUT ) ITS REALITY ALMO/ UPON !M ! OLD MAN & BABY GIRL ALIKE BECOME UNC]TA9 &1 = ! FIR/ TIME1 AFRAID4 ,MAY'S VOICE BESIDE HIS E> IS AN UNEASY :ISP]4 0,DO Y\ ?9K IT'S HIM80 ,HIS [N REPLY IS HO>SE & /RANGL$1 A CON/RICT$ RASP HE'S NEV] HE>D BE=E4 0,YES1 ,I SUPPOSE IT IS4 ,I HAD A LOT ( ?+S TO SAY TO HIM1 BUT ,I'M SO FRIT ,I CAN'T REMEMB] :AT !Y W]E40 ,! CONFRONTATION !Y HAVE PRIVATELY LONG$ = & DREAD$1 :IL/ A T]RIFY+ PROSPECT1 IS SIGNIFICANTLY LESS UNBE>ABLE ?AN ! ALT]NATIVE ( TURN+ R\ND & RUNN+ BACK ! WAY !Y CAME4 ,!Y C>RY ON 9 !IR APPROA* ( ! 9EVITABLE =M :I* LOOMS AT ! CONCLUSION ( !IR PA?1 NAK$ 9TO ?AT PRES5CE1 & ,JOHN ,V]NALL GR[S 9CREAS+LY CONFUS$ AB\T :I* SEGM5T ( HIS CAT]PILL> CONT9UITY HE'S CURR5TLY EXP]I5C+4 ,ALL HIS MOM5TS FALL UPON HIM 9 A PACK1 COT]M9\S1 A FUGUE AS COMPLEX & DISORI5T+ AS HIS SI/] ,?URSA'S COMPOSITIONS1 BR++ AN UNPREC$5T$ YET SOMEH[ FAMILI> S5SE ?AT 

HE'S AB\T TO MEET HIS MAK]4 ,CATAPULT$ FROM ! >M*AIR BY A FE> ?AT DEA? %\LD F9D HIM SITT+ D[N HE /&S !RE SWAY+ 9 ! CLUTT]$ ROOM HIS UNIV]SE HAS BE5 R$UC$ TO4 ,WOK5 BY ?IS SUDD5 FLURRY ( ACTIVITY ! CAT WEI<S UP ! SITUATION & DECIDES TO EXIT BY ! W9D[1 OP5 ON ITS SA%1 LEAP+ FROM L$GE TO G>D5 WALL TO RA9-BUTT & DESC5D+ BY 9/ALLM5TS TO ! SUNK5 Y>D \TSIDE4 ,! FLIES ATTEMPT TO FOLL[ BUT >E 9SURM\NTABLY CONF\ND$ BY FRU/RAT+ PANES4 ,REEL+ ) ONE H& CLUT*+ AT ! *AIR->M = SUPPORT1 ,SN[Y APPRECIATES ONLY TOO WELL ! IMPETUS BEH9D ?IS ANIMAL & 9SECT EXODUS3 ! DAMP & CR[D$ *AMB]1 ) C>E5+ ICE-R9K SCRAT*ES ON ! SIDEBO>D'S V>NI% & ) GOLD FRUIT S(T5+ 9 ITS B[L2 ?IS IS ! 5D ( ! TIME4 ,:O C\LD HAVE ?\<T ?AT IT W\LD BE SO LITTLE8 ,HIS GAZE D>TS >\ND HIS F9AL VI/A AS HE TRIES TO CRAM HIS EYES FULL ) ITS DETAILS & MAKE A LA/ MEAL ( !IR SIGNIFICANCE1 EV5TUALLY ALI<T+ ON ! MANTELPIECE :]E SOME?+ GL9TS 9TRIGU+LY4 ,! S+LE HALT+ /EP HE TAKES T[>DS ! HE>? = A CLOS] 9SPECTION IS AS JITT]Y AS ANY ?AT HE TOOK UPON ! SLIPP]Y RO(TOPS ( HIS Y\?4 ,! ITEM ?AT HAS CAPTUR$ HIS ATT5TION TURNS \T TO BE A M$ALLION1 A ,SA9T ,*RI/OPH] ?AT HE BELIEVES MI<T BE ! ONE HE WORE = ALL HIS ,LAMBE?-TO-!-,BOR\<S M>A?ONS SO LONG AGO4 ,HE SCOOPS IT UP )9 ONE LIV]-SPECKL$ & VIBRAT+ H&1 ONLY TO 9/ANTLY =GET ?AT HE HAS DONE SO AS HIS W&]+ AW>5ESS IS NEXT SEIZ$ BY ! DECREPIT FELL[ />+ AT HIM FROM ! GLASS ABOVE ! FIREPLACE4 ,!RE IS SOME?+ 9 ! HAGG>D FEATURES ?AT HE RECOGNIZES1 & IT COMES TO HIM ?AT ?IS IS ,H>RY ,M>RIOT FROM ! NEXT H\SE ALONG4 ,HE LOOKS MU* OLD] ?AN HE US$ TO1 BUT IT'S BE5 A LITTLE :ILE4 ,LIFT+ ! H& CONTA9+ ! RELIGI\S TALISMAN ,SN[Y GE/ICULATES 9 GREET+ TO ! O!R MAN1 OBSCURELY REASSUR$ :5 ! SAME GE/URE IS IMM$IATELY RETURN$4 ,HE'S GLAD ?AT ,H>RY1 AT LEA/1 /ILL SEEMS PLEAS$ TO SEE HIM4 ,PE]+ 9TO :AT HE TAKES TO BE ! SIMIL>LY FURNI%$ H\SE NEXT DOOR HE NOTICES :AT SEEMS TO BE A FUR!R W9D[ 9 ITS F> WALL4 ,?IS AF=DS A VIEW 9TO ANO!R ,GRE5 ,/REET DOMICILE ) YET ANO!R OLD BOY - POSSIBLY ,/AN ,W>N] FROM A LITTLE FUR!R D[N - FAC+ ! O!R WAY & WAV+ ?R\< A SUBSEQU5T PORTAL AT :AT MI<T WELL BE ,>?UR ,LOVETT FROM JU/ UP ! ROAD4 ,TURN+ TO GLANCE BEH9D HIM1 ,SN[Y SPOTS ! AP]TURE ON HIS [N ROOM'S F> SIDE ?AT LOOKS ONTO A SIMIL> PROCESSION ( FRO/Y-HAIR$ VET]ANS 9 5DLESSLY REC$+ P>LORS4 ,HE APPE>S TO BE /UCK 9 A QUEUE ( ANCI5TS L9+ UP = !IR DEMISE1 ALL WAV+ TO EA* O!R AMIABLY1 !IR 9DIVIDUAL DOME/IC SPACES RECONFIGUR+ 9TO A S+LE TUNNEL4 ,IT'S AS IF 

HE'S 9 A RELATIVELY N>R[ *ANNEL ( NE>-9F9ITE EXT5T1 F9ALLY CLOSE 5\< TO ! IMPOS+ %APE ?AT BLOCKS HIS PA? TO SEE ?AT IT IS ACTUALLY A PAIR ( N9E-FOOT GIANTS :O >E /OOD %\LD] TO %\LD]4 ,BO? >E B>EFOOT1 CLAD 9 PLA9 :ITE L95 SMOCKS1 & EA* ONE HOLDS A SNOOK] CUE PROPORTIONATE TO !IR TREM5D\S SIZE4 ,! FIGURE ON ! LEFT HAS HAIR AS COLORLESS AS ,SN[Y'S1 & IS 9/ANTLY ID5TIFIABLE AS ,MANS\L'S TRILLI>DS *AMPION1 ,MI<TY ,MIKE4 ,HIS CURLY-HAIR$ & RUSSET-BE>D$ C\NT]P>T HAS MISMAT*$ EYES1 ONE R$1 ! O!R GRE54 ,?IS LATT] RUMBLES ) AMUSEM5T AT ! HUMAN C\PLE'S TREMUL\S APPROA*4 0,LOOK AT ! FACES !Y'VE GOT ON !M6 ,:Y1 Y\'D ?9K !Y W]E EXPECT+ ! ,?IRD ,BOR\<60 ,P]*$ ATOP H] GR&SIRE1 ,MAY'S SMOO? =EHEAD CORRUGATES TO A SUSPICI\S FR[N4 0,P]HAPS WE W]E4 ,BUT >5'T Y\ ,ASMODAY1 ! ?IRTY-SECOND SPIRIT8 ,:AT >E Y\ DRESS$ AS A ,MA/] ,BUILD] =80 ,! ]/:ILE FI5D RAISES HIS BRI/L+ BR[S 9 MOCK SURPRISE4 0,BECAUSE ?AT'S :AT ,I AM4 ,I S]V$ MY S5T5CE & GOT MY OLD JOB BACK4 ,AT ?IS PO9T 9 TIME10 HE GE/URES TO ! COSMOS-SPANN+ SPECTROGRAPHIC BACKDROP1 0ALL ! SCORES >E SETTL$ & ! FALLS >E F> BEH9D US4 ,WE CAN LET BYGONES BE BYGONES1 SURELY1 H]E :]E EV]Y?+'S A BYGONE80 ,AS ! 9FANT *EWS ?IS OV]1 H] GR&FA!R AT LA/ F9DS HIS VOICE 

0,:Y ISN'T ,GOD H]E1 & :AT >E !SE LI<TS & COLORS80 ,HE IS %\T+ AT ! EMPTY ROOM1 NO LONG] CAPABLE ( UND]/&+ HIS [N UTT]ANCES4 ,! P5SION]S 9 ALL ! O!R DIMLY LIT COMP>TM5TS SEEM AS AGITAT$ AS HIMSELF1 ALL WAV+ !IR ,SA9T ,*RI/OPH]S & BELL[+ ! SAME UNFA?OMABLE QUE/IONS 9 A MADD5+ R\NDELAY4 ,HIS WORLD SUBSIDES TO DISCONNECT$ JIGSAW %APES AS NAMES & MEAN+S DRIFT \T ) ! EBB-TIDE ( HIS RAGG$ BREA?4 ,B>ELY AW>E ( HIS [N BODY OR ID5TITY1 ONLY A DI/ANT CL5*+ ( HIS GUT REM9DS HIM ?AT HE'S HUNGRY4 ,HE %\LD EAT SOME FOOD1 IF ONLY HE CAN CALL TO M9D :AT FOOD IS4 ,! LOCALE ROTATES1 ITS >TICLES ( FURNITURE ALL CIRCL+ HIM LIKE M]RY-GO-R\ND HORSES1 & IT COMES TO HIM ?AT :5 HE RAN D[N ! LONG ROAD ?R\< TIME ) HIS DEAD GR&*ILD ON HIS %\LD]S !Y SURVIV$ BY EAT+ BLOSSOMS :I* W]E SOMEH[ MADE FROM %RUNK5 WOM54 ,SN[Y NOTES A VASE ( LUSCI\S TULIPS ON ! TABLE AS ?IS GLIDES PA/ 9 ITS DAWDL+ FAIRGR\ND ORBIT1 & IT SEEMS TO HIM ?AT FAIRY-FRUITS & FL[]S >E AS LIKE AS MAKES NO DIFF]5CE4 ,) HIS FREE H&1 UN5CUMB]$ BY ! QUITE =GOTT5 M$AL1 HE COMM5CES GRE$ILY TO /UFF HIS ROTT5 M\? ) PETALS :ILE ! NEI<BOR+ PATRI>*S 9 !IR ADJAC5T ROOMS ALL ILL-ADVIS$LY FOLL[ HIS LEAD4 ,*OK+ ON GLORY HE IS ELSE:]E1 & A DEVIL DRESS$ 9 :ITE IS SAY+ 

0,OH1 HE'S H]E ALRI<T4 ,OR AT LEA/1 H]E IS HIM4 ,! FIREWORKS >E :AT'S LEFT AFT] ! GRAVITY & NUCLE> =CES PASS AWAY4 ,ONLY ELECTROMAGNETISM IS LEFT /&+40 ,SN[Y GROANS4 0,SO ?IS IS ALL WE GET1 !N8 ,BUT WE'VE COME SU* A LONG WAY40 ,! REHABILITAT$ DEMON SMILES & %AKES HIS HEAD4 0,NOT REALLY4 ,Y\'VE NOT YET SET FOOT \TSIDE ! ,BOR\<S4 ,Y\'VE JU/ BO? BE5 RUNN+ ON ! SPOT = SEV]AL BILLION YE>S40 ,BEYOND ! TWO COLOSSI IS ! PRECIPICE ?AT M>KS ! HI<WAY'S 5D 9 TUMBL+ VEILS ( BRILLIANCE4 ,RAIS$ UP FROM ?AT AWFUL CLIFF-$GE AS A M>K] IS ! R\< /ONE CROSS HE LA/ REMEMB]S SEE+ SET 9TO ! WALL D[N AT ,SA9T ,GREGORY'S4 ,GR[+ >\ND & ON IT >E A COLONY ( SUCCUL5T1 RIPE ,PUCK'S ,HATS4 ,HIS M\? FLOODS ) SALIV>Y ECTOPLASM BUT HE F9DS ?AT 

HE CAN'T SWALL[1 /R+Y ?ROAT OB/RUCT$ BY AMAZ+ ,EA/] COLORS4 ,9 !IR NEV]-5D+ FILE ( P>ALLEL AP>TM5TS1 HE OBS]VES ?AT ALL ( ,GRE5 ,/REET'S O!R ELD]LY MALE OCCUPANTS >E DO+ JU/ AS BADLY AS HIMSELF1 WALK+ 9 CIRCLES ) !IR EYEBALLS BULG+ & BRI<T SCRAPS ( MA/ICAT$ TULIP FLE% ?AT TURN !IR /RAGGLY BE>DS TO PA9T]S' APRONS4 ,IT'S A ROTT5 TURN ( LUCK ?AT !Y %\LD ALL BE 9 SU* /RAITS AT ! SAME MOM5T1 :5 9 NORMAL CIRCUM/ANCES !Y'D SEE :AT WAS HAPP5+ & POP NEXT DOOR TO SLAP EA* O!R ON !IR BACKS4 ,HE'S BREA?+ A B\QUET1 HE'S BREA?+ WREA?1 ! PANIC 9 HIS LUNGS CASCAD+ TO HIS HE>T4 ,HE CAN FEEL SOME?+ CLUT*$ 9 HIS LEFT H& BUT CAN'T REMEMB] :AT IT IS1 & ALL ! TIME 

HE'S WAIT+ = ! >*-BUILD] TO TELL HIM SOME?+ VITAL & CONCLUSIVE4 ,AT LA/ ,MI<TY ,MIKE TURNS TO 9QUIRE1 0,V]NALIMT :OREY SKUNG80 ,V]NALL1 :AT LIMIT >E Y\ SEEK+8 ,UNPREP>$1 ,SN[Y CONSID]S & REPLIES1 0,! LIMIT ( MY BE+40 ,H]E ! TITAN (F]S HIM A SYMPA!TIC LOOK4 0,T5YHUAF9DOT40 ,!N Y\'VE F\ND IT4 ,! TIME-VAGRANT NODS4 ,HE UND]/&S ?AT 

?IS PLACE IS ! 5D ( HIM4 ,IF !RE'S SIGNIFICANCE HE HAS TO F9D IT = HIMSELF4 ,HIS POOL ( VISION1 RAPIDLY EVAPORAT+ AT ITS $GES1 %R9KS TO FRAME HIS SL[LY OP5+ H&4 ,A METAL DISC RE/S ON HIS PALM & RAIS$ UP FROM ITS SURFACE IS ! IMAGE ( AN OLD MAN ) A GLORI\S BABY RID+ ON HIS %\LD]S4 ,IT MEANS SOME?+1 HE IS C]TA91 & ! F9AL QUE/ION TO TRAV]SE HIS FAIL+ M9D IS 

0,:]E DO WE GO AFT] ?IS80 ,MAY'S VOICE S\NDS ALMO/ PETULANT4 ,! RE=M$ FI5D & ,MA/] ,BUILD] %RUG AS ONE1 AS IF TO PO9T \T ?AT ! ANSW]'S OBVI\S4 ,GRADUALLY1 

,SN[Y UND]/&S4 ,HE ISN'T BREA?+4 ,?AT'S BECAUSE ALL ( ! OXYG5 HE NE$S IS TO BE HAD FROM ! PLAC5TA4 ,SQUIRM+ 9 HIS MO!R ,ANNE'S SPASM+ BIR? CANAL1 =GETT+ EV]Y?+1 

HE MOVES ALONG ! LI<TLESS *ANNEL C>RY+ ! 9FANT ) HIM & KN[S ?AT1 9EVITABLY1 

HE IS GO+ BACK TO :]E HE />T$4 

,FROM 3 ,!,AN>*I/,LIBR>Y4ORG4 

,*RONOLOGY 3 
,JANU>Y #b#d1 #bba 3 ,BOOK #c1 ,*APT] #g -- ,ADD$4 

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