,*APT] #b 
,! ,CREMATION ,FIELDS1 #be ,B,C 

,PEOPLE 3 

,AU?OR 3 ,ALAN ,MOORE 

,AU?OR 3 ,NEIL ,RI*>D ,MAC,K9NON ,GAIMAN 

,TEXT 3 

,! ,CREMATION ,FIELDS1 #be ,B,C 

,FLOAT+ D[N/REAM1 AWAY FROM ME1 IT'S LIKE A BIG :ITE H&1 DRAGG+ ITS F+]S ?R\< FROG-COLOR$ WAT]1 TUFTS ( BLACK HAIR GR[+ !RE BETWE5 !M4 
',DO Y\ GO AS F> S\? AS ,BRIDGE-9-,VALLEY8 ,WE MAY WALK TOGE!R !RE = SAFETY1' SAYS %E4 

,%E IS TRAVEL+ TO H] FA!R1 :O IS DY+1 & %E TELLS ME ?AT HE IS A CUNN+-MAN :O COMES ONE ,SUMM] LONG AGO UP TRACK FROM ,BRIDGE-9-,VALLEY1 PA/ ! ,GREAT ,NOR? ,WOODS1 F> AS ! L&'S $GE1 :]E ! COLD GRAY SEA BEG9S4 ,HE MAKES HIS *ILDR5 ON A WOMAN !RE1 BO? BOY & GIRL4 ,TAKES BOY AWAY ) HIM & LEAVES ! GIRL BEH9D4 ,ALL ! LONG ,W9T]S PASS4 ,%E DOES NOT SEE H] FA!R4 ,HE DOES NOT SEE H]4 ,N[ HE IS DY+4 

',BRIDGE-9-,VALLEY8' COMES BACK MY REPLY4 ',YES1 ?AT IS 9 MY WAY4 ,!RE IS A %ORT PA? BY ! RIV] WE MAY TAKE1 IF Y\ WALK AFT] ME4' 

,AB\T H] NECK1 %E WE>S BLUE FANCY-BEADS4 
,N[ IT IS ALMO/ \T ( SI<T1 NO BIGG] ?AN A CLOT ( SPAWN ?AT SLIDES AWAY ACROSS ! RIV]'S SMOO? GRE5 BELLY1 SWOLL5 ) ! RA94 ,IT TANGLES 9 A WILL['S TRAIL+ SCALP1 MOVES ON & LEAVES ME TAK+ (F MY WRAPS BETWE5 ! RU%ES1 :ISP]+ LIKE WILLAGE GIRLS4 
',H[ DO Y\ LIKE MY FANCY-BEADS8' SAYS %E1 & TELLS ME H[ UP TRACK & PA/ ! ,GREAT ,NOR? ,WOODS ! M5 MAKE ORE-FIRES ON ! %ORE4 ,! SEA-GRASS DRIES 9 LONG BLACK /RIPS UPON ! SLIPPY ROCKS1 !N BURNS )9 A FURNACE HOLE ( S&1 ABOVE ( :I* ANO!R *AMB] LIES4 ,H]E IS ! ORE1 & SMELT$ COPP] RUNS AS QUICK AS BLOOD D[N S&-CUTS 9TO CA/+ TR\<S4 ,! JUICES ( ! BURN+ GRASS >E MIX$ ) S& ?AT TURNS TO ONE SMOO? LUMP AB\T ! FIRE4 ,! COPP] MAKES IT BLUE1 & Y\NG GIRLS *IP IT 9TO BEADS4 

',N[1 :]E IS ?IS %ORT PA?8' %E SAYS4 

',NOT F>1' COMES MY REPLY4 ',NOT F>4' 
,LIFT+ MY ELB[S UP ABOVE MY HEAD TO PULL AWAY ?IS /A9$ OLD %IRT1 ! WETNESS ON MY H&S RUNS D[N MY >MS1 AS QUICK AS SMELT$ COPP]1 9 BETWE5 MY BREA/S4 ,WA%+ IT (F1 CR\*$ AT ! RIV]'S $GE1 BR[N CL\DS UNCURL 9TO ! SLOPP+ GRE5 AB\T MY WAI/4 
',Y\R FA!R DOES NOT KN[ Y\1 LEAVES Y\ AS A BABY ) Y\R MO!R & DOES NOT COME BACK4 ,:Y DOES HE S5D = Y\ N[ HE IS DY+8' 

,H]E %E TURNS H] HEAD T[>DS ME1 SETT+ ALL H] BEADS TO *IME1 & TELLS ME ?AT H] FA!R1 AS A CUNN+-MAN1 HAS MANY HIDES ( L& & WEAL? BESIDES4 ,IT MAY BE ?AT H] BRO!R1 LO/ TO H] FROM BIR?1 IS DEAD2 OR ?AT HE QU>RELS ) ! OLD1 SICK MAN4 ,IT MAY BE ?AT H] FA!R1 ) NO SON TO %>E HIS WEAL?1 IS ?9K+ ?AT IT %\LD BE PASS$ TO H]4 

,AB\T US1 RA9 IS SIZZL+ ON ! LEAVES4 ,WE NE> ! RIV]'S $GE4 
,DRY+ MYSELF ) DEAD LEAVES1 SPL9T]+1 CRACKL+1 /UCK 9 FLAKES UPON ! WET & DUCK-BUMP$ SK94 ,AMID ! BLACK-/A9$ TANGLE ( MY RAGS1 A PRICKL+ GL9T ( BRONZE ?AT SNAGS ! EYE4 

,REA* D[N4 ,MY F+]S1 CLOS+ ON ! WOOD5 H&-HOLD1 TURN A COLD1 FLAT METAL TOO? AGA9/ ! LI<T4 

,& WIPE IT ) %>P RU%ES1 BLADE ON BLADE4 
',OH NO1' SAYS %E4 ',OH NO1 DON'T4 ,DON'T DO ?AT4' 

',:AT IS Y\R NAME8' 

',US96 ,MY NAME IS ,US94 ,OH1 LET GO4 ,LET GO & DON'T DO ANY MORE4' 

',:AT IS ! OLD MAN'S NAME8' 

',:AT DO Y\ WANT ) HIM8 ,Y\ CANNOT MAKE ME SAY6' 

,! E>4 ,! ?UMB4 ,BIRDS SCATT] UP FROM RE$S TO SKY 9 FLAPP+1 BL9D AL>M4 

',OLUN6 ,OLUN1 ?AT IS MY FA!R'S NAME4 ,OH4 ,OH1 !SE ?+S Y\ DO4 ,OH1 ?AT IT COMES LIKE ?IS ) ME4' 

',HU%4 ,?AT IS ALL4 ,BE QUIET N[4' 

,LAT]1 /RIPP+ (F ITS CLO!S & DRAGG+ IT4 ,! DULL1 DEEP SPLA%1 & MY SURPRISE TO F9D ! RA9 NO LONG] FALL+4 ,EV]Y?+ IS BORN TO DIE4 ,!RE >E NO SPIRIT-WOM5 9 ! TREES4 ,!RE >E NO GODS BEL[ ! DIRT4 
,!Y LOOK SO PRETTY1 BLUE ON MY BR[N ?ROAT AS PUDDLES ON A PA?4 ,H] BOOTS ALONE >E NOT A FIT = ME BUT MU/ BE FOLD$ 9 MY BAG1 HEAVY 5\< )\T !M4 ,:Y1 IT TIPS ME OV] ON ONE SIDE TO C>RY IT1 MAK+ MY WAY BACK ?R\< ! /+-WE$S & ! DOG-FL[] UP T[>DS ! TRACK4 

,B>EFOOT1 !N1 S\? TO ,BRIDGE-9-,VALLEY4 ,NO?+ H]E TO LOOK AT BUT ! WAY BE=E ME1 AT MY POOR COLD FEET UPON IT1 SU* AS IS MY USUAL VIEW ( ?+S4 ,MUD1 ?ICK AS OX-CREAM1 QUICKLY PA9TS ME YELL[ TO MY KNEES4 
,WAD+ ?R\< A%1 AMONG ! HI<L& M\NTA9S AS A *ILD4 ,! GRAY FIELDS ALL AB\T1 ! OX5 LUMB]+ BREA/ DEEP ?R\< DU/4 ,A D>KNESS IS UPON ! WORLD1 :]E IS DAY COME & BR+S NO LI<T4 ,! SUN IS R>E & /RANGE4 ,VE9-COLOR$ SKIES AT CLOSE ( DAY4 ,PI]C+ 9 BLANKET CL\D1 GRE5 %AFTS ILLUM9ATE ! SKELETONS ( TREES1 SP9ES SPLIT & RIBS SNAPP$ (F1 BLEA*$1 TWI/+ FROM ! P[D]-DUNES4 

,\R CROPS >E BURI$4 ,NO?+ GR[S1 & PALE1 SL[ CL\DS RISE AT \R EV]Y /EP4 ,A% /REAK$ 9 COPP] HAIR1 ! *ILDR5'S FACES :ITE ) IT1 ITS BITT]NESS 9 ALL \R FOOD4 ,\R ANIMALS GO BL9D1 !IR EYES LIKE BLOOD1 ! SI<T$ C5T] P>T BECOME A DULL GRAY CAUL1 AS ) A SK9 ( FAT UPON RAW MEAT4 

,WE LEAVE \R HOMES1 \R SETTLEM5TS1 A GREAT CR[D NE> AS MANY AS :5 PEOPLE GA!R 9 TO RAISE ! /ONES4 ,BEYOND ! WOODS1 !Y SAY1 !RE LIES AN OLD /RAI<T TRACK TO GUIDE US1 N[ !RE >E NO />S4 ,AMONG ! C9D]S1 BL9D BIRDS PECK & SCREAM4 ,WE TRAVEL S\?1 SOME ( US WALK+ /ILL4 
,! TRACK IS WID]1 COM+ UP BY WAY ( VALLEY'S $GE4 ,H[ MANY DEAD M5'S FEET DOES IT DEM& TO MAKE IT SO8 ,IT IS A FURY & MIS]Y TO ?9K ( BE+ ONE DAY 9 MY GRAVE & YET ?IS TRACK /ILL H]E4 ,ITS DEEP RUTS1 OLD] ?AN \R GREAT-FA!RS4 ,ITS FLOOD POOLS1 ALL ! FRI<T5+ /RAI<TNESS ( ITS L9E1 /ILL H]E4 ,/ILL H]E4 

,IT RISES /EEP BE=E ME1 FIRM B5EA? MY TREAD1 & YET ! WALK+'S H>D4 ,%>P PEBBLES CUT MY FEET1 ! MUD UPON !M DRY+ TO A SUN-SPLIT HIDE4 ,%IFT+ MY BAG FROM ONE H& TO O!R1 MUTT]+1 TELL+ MYSELF TO LEAVE ! TRACK ATOP ?IS HILL & WALK UPON S(T GRASS AB\T ! RIM1 SO AS TO COME D[N UPON ,BRIDGE-9-,VALLEY FROM ! EA/4 

,! DAY'S LI<T />TS TO WANE1 & SOON ! DIT*ES BY ! TRACK >E SPECKL$ BRILLIANT GRE5 ) FIRE MAGGOTS4 ,SONG ( BATS4 ,CALL ( A NI<T-EY$ BIRD4 ,MY FOOTFALLS1 SLAPP+ 9 ! DUSK4 
,SOME:]E D[N/REAM IT RU%ES ?R\< ! D>K AHEAD ( ME1 NOT SWOLL5 YET1 BUT )\T COLOR4 ,SNAILS UPON ITS ?I<S4 ,FACE D[N1 UNBL9K+1 SEES ! RIV]-BOTTOM SLIPP+ BY BEL[1 EA* /ONE1 EA* M9N[-BITT5 WE$4 ,CRACK$ %ELLS1 & CLEV]1 BRAN*+ L9ES ?AT UNSE5 CURR5TS LEAVE UPON ! SL[1 SMOO? B$4 ,! DEAD EYES1 MISS+ NO?+4 
,EA/1 ALONG ! RIM4 ,BETWE5 MY TOES COOL GRASS1 WET GRASS1 & F9ALLY1 BEL[ ME1 FIRES 9 ! VALLEY D>K4 ,A R+ ( SULL5 LI<TS1 TOO FEW TO BE A WILLAGE4 ,:AT1 !N8 ,SETT+ D[N MY BAG & /RADDL+ A TOPPL$ LOG1 MY EYES FIX ON ! FIRE LI<TS UNTIL !Y COME MORE CLE>4 

,! VIEW IS ( A HILLTOP1 FUR!R D[N ! VALLEY'S EA/]N SLOPE4 ,A CIRCLE GIV5 %APE BY L[ & BROK5 WALLS ( DIRT IS RIS5 !RE1 ANO!R MU* ALIKE BUT SMALL] SET )91 & 9SIDE ?AT A SMALL] CIRCLE YET4 ,?IS C5T] R+ IS D>K1 A HOLE4 ,! FIRES1 A H&FULL ONLY1 BURN )9 ! GREAT] R\ND BEYOND1 SOME ( !M LITTLE MORE ?AN EMB]S1 ALMO/ GONE4 

,! BRI<TE/ HAS A GA!R+ ( PEOPLE /OOD AB\T IT4 ,TRAPP$ B5EA? !IR HEELS1 /RET*$ %AD[S %Y BACK FROM ! FLAMES1 YET DO NOT JUMP OR DANCE4 ,:AT >E !Y BURN+ !RE1 SO /ILL BY NI<T8 

,MY RE/ UPON ?IS LOG GIVES ME NEW /R5G?1 & ONCE MORE TAK+ UP MY BAG SEEMS LESS A TASK4 ,/& UP4 ,WALK D[NHILL 9 AMONG BLACK /UMPS :]E ALL ! TREES >E BURN$ AWAY4 ,BEL[ ! R+-TOPP$ HILL1 D[NW9D ( IT1 COME WOM5'S VOICES1 CALL+1 TANGL$ ) ! SMOKE4 

,NO4 ,NO1 NOT CALL+1 BUT A L[] NOISE ?AT HAS LESS S5SE TO IT4 

,AT FOOT ( HILL1 ! GR\ND BECOMES A BOG1 YET !RE'S A RAIS$ PA? RUNN+ S\? ACROSS ! VALLEY FLOOR TO :]E ! NI<T ABOVE ! TREEL9E GL[S DULL R$1 A COOL+ METAL ?AT BETRAYS ! WILLAGE FIRES BEL[4 ,A LONG WALK1 FROM ! LOOK ( IT1 BUT ?AT WILL GIVE ME TIME TO ?9K ( ALL !RE IS TO DO1 & SAY1 & BE4 
,US94 ,! S\ND ( IT IS PLA9 & EASY 9 ! SAY+4 ,US91 ,OLUN'S DAU<T]4 ,NAME LIKE AN AB&ON$ %ELL1 A HUSK4 ,! LIV+ CREATURE ONCE CONCEAL$ )9 IS GONE4 ,! NAME LIES EMPTY1 HOLL[ & DISUS$4 ,IT WAITS = H]MIT CRABS TO CRAWL 9SIDE & TRY IT ON4 

,US94 ,DES]T$ NAME4 ,M9E N[4 
,AHEAD1 ! PA? CRAWLS ?R\< ! WE$S 9TO ! WILLAGE1 !RE TO DIE4 ,ALONG ITS L5G? ! SIGNS & DROPP+S ( ?IS PLACE >E /REWN1 LIT ONE SIDE R$ BY ITS APPROA*+ FIRES3 A BROK5 BAS91 GRAY & PRICK$ ) SPOTS2 A MITT52 BLUNT$ FL9TS2 A LITTLE MAN-9-K9D MADE \T ( *ICK5 BONES4 

,! SETTLEM5T IS BIG1 HALF B\ND$ BY A R+ ( BLACK?ORN1 HEAP$ 9TO A WALL4 ,ITS R\NDH\SE SQUATS !RE AT ! C5T]1 HULK+ GIANT1 A NECKLACE MADE FROM TOR*ES /RUNG AB\T ITS %\LD]S1 D>K ABOVE ! HUTS ?AT SPRAWL AGA9/ ITS SMOK+ FLANKS LIKE SUCK+-PUPS4 

,/OPP+ TO MAKE A PISS SOME WAY YET FROM ! WILLAGE'S NOR? GATE1 IT IS MY LUCK TO NOTE :ILE CR\*+ 9 MID FL[ A TORSO G>D5 SET BESIDE MY PA?4 ,FIX$ ?R\<1 & HUNG FROM /AKES4 ,NO LIMBS NOR HEAD4 ,NO D\BT !Y >E ! LA/ REMA9S ( *EATS & ?IEVES HUNG \T 9 W>N+1 HEAVY FLAGS ( MEAT4 ,IT IS A COMMON PRACTICE N[1 ALONG ! TRACK4 

,!RE >E AS MANY /AKES AS LEGS UPON A DOG1 & ALL BUT ONE HAVE WOM5 ON4 ,NO4 ,NO1 ! ONE ?IS 5D MAY BE ANO!R MAN1 SE5 CLOS] TO4 ,AS EAT5 BY ! WEA!R & ! WILD SW9E AS !Y >E1 IT'S H>D TO KN[4 ,?IS ONE HAS BRI<T R$ HAIR AB\T HIS SEX1 & ?IS ! NE$LE-PICTURE ( A SNAKE M>K$ ON ONE BREA/1 H] O!R GONE4 

,WIP+ MY GILL ) GRASS1 & PULL+ ,US9'S BREEKS UP HI< AB\T MY WAI/1 !RE'S NOT A ?+ TO DO BUT J\RNEY ON1 T[>DS ! WALLS ( ?ORN1 %>P BLACK AGA9/ ! FIRES CONTA9$ )94 ,A FRI<TFUL NE/1 FILL$ NOT ) EGGS BUT EMB]S1 SMOLD]+ 9 ! NI<T4 
,BRIDGE-9-!-,VALLEY4 ,/UPID NAME4 ,!RE'S VALLEY ALL AB\T YET NOT A BRIDGE 9 SI<T4 ,MY WAG] IS ! WILLE9S 9 ?IS SETTLEM5T DON'T CALL IT BY ?AT NAME AT ALL4 ,MY WAG] IS !Y CALL !IR PLACE ',! ,WILLAGE'1 AS DO ALL ! O!R DULL-WITS 9 !IR DULL-WIT SETTLEM5TS ALONG ! TRACK4 ',:Y1 LIFE BE GOOD H]E 9 ! ,WILLAGE1 BE IT NOT OLD GIRL8' ',AYE1 MAY IT BE1 BUT IT IS BETT] 9 A PLACE UP NOR? !Y CALL ! ,WILLAGE1 :]E MY MO!R HAS H] PEOPLE4' ',WELL1 ! ,WILLAGE IS A GOOD PLACE IF Y\'RE WANT+ OX51 BUT IF Y\ WANT PIGS Y\'RE BETT] GO+ TO ! ,WILLAGE4' ',WE MU/ LET MY BRO!R SETTLE ?IS4 ,HE DOES NOT LIVE 9 EI!R PLACE1 BUT 9 A SETTLEM5T D[N S\?4 ,IT HAS A QUE] & \TL& S\ND+ NAME ?AT'S GONE FROM MY RECALL1 & YET IT MAY BE 0,WILLAGE01 COME TO ?9K4' ',Y\ DO NOT HE> ( MANY NAMES LIKE ?AT6' 

,ACROSS ! SEA & BY ! WORLD'S 5D1 :]E ! BLACK M5 >E1 !RE'S SETTLEM5TS ) DIFF]5T NAMES 9 DIFF]5T TONGUES1 & ALL ( !M MEAN WILLAGE4 ,!RE >E WILLAGES UPON ! MOON1 ?OSE R+S ( HUTS ?AT MAY BE SE5 :5 IT IS FULL4 

,MY NAMES >E BETT]1 MADE UP FROM ! SPITES & GRIEFS !SE /ALE & /9K+ LITTLE PE/ HOLES PUT UPON ME 9 MY TRAVEL+S3 ,BEA/-,BUGG] ,D[N & ,LITTLE ,MIDD54 ,SQU9T-,EY$-9-!-,BOG4 ,%ANK ,SI/] ,HILL & ,FAT ,ASS ,FIELDS4 

,BRIDGE-9-!-,VALLEY8 ,NO4 ,?IS PLACE IS WOR? A BETT] CALL+4 ,FOOL-',EM-9-!-,F51 ) LUCK4 

,OR ,MURD]-9-!-,MUD4 
,!RE IS A WAT*-HUT BY ! NOR?MO/ GATE1 SET UP AGA9/ ! WALL ( ?ORN4 ,9SIDE1 A TALL Y\? BIR?-M>K$ R$ FROM EYE TO *9 SITS PLUCK+ BIRDS BESIDE AN OLD] MAN1 HIS FA!R1 OR1 AS IT MAY BE1 HIS GR&-SIRE4 ,TOR* LIT1 CR\*$ 9 FEA!RS TO !IR BOOT TOPS4 

,N[1 CLOSE UP1 ! OLD MAN'S H&S COME 9TO SI<T4 ,!Y TREMBLE1 %AKE ) AGE OR PALSY1 KNUCKLES ON ! ONE WRAPP$ FA/ AB\T ! PALE P9K C>CASS1 F+]S ON ! O!R PICK+ 9 ! D[N AB\T ITS NECK4 ,BO? H&S >E BLACK TO SOME WAY PA/ ! WRI/1 NOT D>K ) DIRT OR SUN SCOR*$ LIKE ! TRAD]S COME FROM O!R L&S BUT BLACK1 AN OLD DEEP /A9 ?AT FADES TO BLUE ALONG ITS $GE1 AS ) A DY]'S H&S4 

,A DRI$-UP CONE IS CRU%$ TO SUDD5 SPL9T]S UND] MY B>E FOOT4 ,!Y BO? LOOK UP4 ,Y\NG *]RY-*EEK PUTS D[N HIS HALF-BALD F[L & FUMBLES1 REA*+ R\ND TO F9D HIS SPE>4 ,HE SPEAKS AS IF TO PUT ME 9 MY PLACE1 HIS VOICE HALF-BROK5 & ! PIT* ( IT BETRAY+ HIM SO ?AT HE SQUEAKS :]E HE IS WANT+ TO BE /]N4 ,HE DOES NOT MEET MY EYE1 BUT LETS HIS GLANCE FALL TO MY NECK :]E TOR* FIRE SP>KLES BLUE UPON ! FANCY-BEADS4 

',:AT >E Y\ WANT+ 9 ! ,WILLAGE8' 

,!RE4 ,! ,WILLAGE4 ,:Y1 MY WAG] IS ALREADY WON4 

',MY NAME IS ,US91 ,OLUN'S DAU<T]1 COME H]E FROM ! ,NOR? TO SEE MY FA!R1 :O IS SICK4 ,:O'LL TAKE ME TO HIM8' 

,FI]Y-FACE TURNS R\ND T[>DS ! OLD] GATEMAN SAT BESIDE HIM1 BLACK H&S %IV]+ LIKE A CORPSE-BIRD'S W+4 ,A LOOK IS PASS$ BETWE5 !M & A FE> COME 9TO ME3 ,OLUN1 ! CUNN+-MAN1 ALREADY DEAD & BURI$1 GOODS & ALL1 BEL[ ! FL[]S4 ,HIS SECRETS RATTL+ USELESS 9 HIS SKULL1 ELSE PASS$ ON TO HIS SON4 ,! DEA?-B$ :ISP]1 ',IS MY DAU<T] H]E8' ,TOO LATE4 ,MY S*EMES >E ALL TOO LATE4 

,! ELD] WAT*MAN SPITS A YELL[ CURD 9TO ! FEA!RS AT HIS FEET4 

',OLUN'S ! ,HOB-MAN H]E1 = MANY YE>S4' 

,HE SPITS AGA94 ,HIS J]K+1 %AD[-COLOR$ H&S >E TRY+ TO PO9T BETWE5 ! HUDDL$ DWELL+S AT HIS BACK4 

',?IS NI<T HE'S SET D[N-WILLAGE AT ! R\NDH\SE MAK+ SAY1 AL?\< WE FE> HE HAS NOT MANY SAY+S LEFT 9 HIM4 ,WE MAY WALK D[N ?AT WAY TOGE!R1 IF Y\ LIKE4 ,>E Y\ ALL RI<T TO PLUCK !SE BIRDS ALONE1 ,COLL8' 

,?IS IS SAID 9 WAY ( MA/] JUICE-J[ELS1 :O LOOKS PUT AB\T & SULKY-EY$4 ,HE GRUNTS HIS ANSW]1 SO TO S\ND MORE LIKE A MAN4 

',AYE4 ,:AT ) ALL ! :ILE Y\ TAKE TO PULL A FEA!R1 %AK+ LIKE A BROKE-BACK DOG1 IT'S JU/ AS QUICK TO DO IT ON MY [N4 ,GET (F & LET ME BE4' 

,! ELD] GATEMAN /&S &1 SPITT+ ONCE MORE 9 ! FEA!RS1 /EPS \TSIDE ! HUT4 ,HE TAKES MY >M BETWE5 HIS SPASM+ F+]S & N[ GUIDES ME D[N A PA? BETWE5 ! HUTS T[>DS A LOOM+ R\ND ( PO/S1 B>K /RIPP$ AWAY & :ITE WOOD NAK$1 ?AT*$ ) RE$ ABOVE4 ,DAMP TOR*ES HISS1 A KNOT ( SNAKES B5EA? ! EAVES4 ,A BABY WAILS1 BEH9D US 9 ! WILLAGE NI<T4 

',OLUN IS KN[N TO ME1 BO? BOY & MAN !SE MANY YE>S1' SAYS HE4 ',Y\ >E NOT MAKE LIKE HIM1 NOR LIKE Y\NG ,G>N4' 

,! BRO!R'S NAME IS ,G>N4 

',NO4 ,IT'S MY MO!R'S SIDE ?AT %[S 9 ME4' ,?IS SEEMS TO PUT HIM AT HIS RE/1 & HE SETS ONE BLACK H& TO QUIV] AT MY %\LD]1 /E]+ ME ?R\< DRAWN-BACK VEILS ( RU% 9TO ! SMOKE & /9K4 

,! R\NDH\SE4 ,MANY PEOPLE1 SOME TOO OLD OR Y\NG TO TALK1 >E SPRAWL$ ON MATS ( RE$1 ) FLAME-%APES SLI!R+ ON !IR KNOBBL$ BACKS & FRECKL$ %\LD]S 9 A FOG ( SWEAT1 & BREA?1 & HALF-CUR$ HIDE4 ,UP 9 ! %AD[S ( ! UND]-RO( A %R\D ( SMOKE IS SPREAD \T C>EFULLY UPON ! AIR4 ,IT TREMBLES ) EA* MOVEM5T 9 ! HALL BEL[1 FOLD+ & FRAY+ & UNRAVEL+4 

,T[>DS ! R\ND'S F> SIDE1 ACROSS A SPRAWL ( HAIRY LIMBS & TALL[-LI<T1 !RE SITS A MON/R\S WOMAN1 SUNK 9 FURS1 GRAY ROPES ( HAIR HUNG TO H] ?I<S4 ,A FI]CE :ITE SC> RUNS ?R\< ONE EYE & D[N ACROSS ! NOSE4 ,! O!R1 FROM A SOCKET SWA!D ) FAT1 GLEAMS LIKE A BEAD PRESS$ 9TO D\<4 ,AB\T H] PUFF$ \T BULLFROG NECK1 AN ORNAM5T ( GOLD4 ,! ,QUE54 

,TO EI!R SIDE1 BEH9D H]1 /&S A MAN 444 NO4 ,/&S ! SAME MAN4 ,H[ IS ?IS8 ,MY GAZE /OPS FIR/ ) ONE & !N ! O!R4 ,BACK & =?1 AGA9 & YET AGA94 ,!RE'S NOT A F+]NAIL ( DIFF]5CE 9 BETWE5 !M4 ,%AV5 SKULL & BR[ & JAW1 /&+ ) !IR LONG >MS FOLD$1 FIX$ BLUE EYES1 SNAKE-LIPP$4 

,EA* SMILES UPON A DIFF]5T SIDE4 ,:Y DOES ?IS FRI<T5 ME8 

',?AT IS ,QUE5 ,MAG1' ! OLD1 BLACK-FI/$ MAN IS :ISP]+1 BEH9D MY %\LD]4 ',?OSE ON EI!R SIDE ( H] >E ,B]N & ,BURI1 ?\< !RE'S NONE BUT !Y KN[ :I* IS :I*4 ,!Y >E H] R\<-BOYS4 ,LET !M WELL ALONE4' 

',:AT >E !Y8' ,MY VOICE1 HU%$ AS ! GATEMAN'S [N4 ,MY EYES >E MOV+ BACK & =? BETWE5 ! AWFUL LOOK-AK9S & MAY NOT GLANCE AWAY4 

',A MON/] BIR?1 BUT DO NOT SAY IT :ILE !Y >E 9 HE>+4 ,IT IS SAID !IR FA!R PUTS HIS SE$ 9TO !IR MO!R :ILE %E LEANS AGA9/ AN OAK ?AT'S LI<TN+-SPLIT4 ,:5 !Y >E BORN1 MO/ ( US SAY !Y MU/ BE PUT TO KNIFE1 BUT ,MAG SAYS NO4 ,%E TAKES A PLEASURE 9 !IR ODDITY & RE>S !M = H] [N4 ,!Y PUT A SC>E UP PEOPLE'S ASSES N[ !Y'RE GR[N1 & ,MAG TAKES PLEASURE 9 ?AT ALSO4' 

,BO? ( !M TURN !IR S&-GRAY SKULLS AS ONE & LOOK ACROSS ! ROOM AT ME4 ,!Y HAVE ONE SMILE1 EA* WE>+ HALF ( IT4 ,A KN[L$GE COMES )9 ME N[ ?AT MAKES ME LOOK AWAY FROM !M3 !SE >E ! ONES ?AT T5D ! TORSO G>D54 ,!Y CLIP BACK ! LIMBS & GA!R UP ! FALL5 HEADS4 

,DROPP+ MY GAZE1 IT FALLS UPON A RU9$ FIGURE1 RE/+ !RE UPON A PALLET MADE ( /ICKS BE=E ! SEAT$ QUE54 ,! FIGURE SPEAKS1 A DRY VOICE L[] ?AN ! DRONE ( BEES1 )9 MY E>S S9CE 5T]+ ?IS HALL YET ONLY COME TO NOTICE N[4 ,A MAN4 ,ONCE FAT1 HE HAS A SICKNESS EAT+ HIM )94 ,IT S9KS HIS EYES & DRIES HIS LIPS TO FIGS1 %RUNK BACK TO %[ ! ALL BUT EMPTY GUMS4 

,:]E ALL BUT HE >E CLAD 9 ROBES1 HE LIES !RE NAK$ SAVE A F9E1 /RANGE CLOAK ( BLACKBIRD QUILLS B5EA? HIM1 SPREAD UPON ! BI]4 ,HIS WILL IS LONG & SK9NY1 BALD AB\T ! ROOT4 ,A B& ( ANTL]-TWIGS IS TI$1 ! B>E PO9TS CIRCL+ HIS BR[1 SK9 HANG+ FROM HIS BONES 9 FOLDS1 & ALL ( IT HAS M>KS UPON4 ,! WA/$ BODY SW>MS ) NE$LE-PICTURES4 ,EV]Y ?UMBNAIL'S WID? ( HIM FROM HEAD TO HEEL IS PRETTY ) TATTOO4 

',?AT'S ,OLUN1' COMES ! /ALE BREA? BY MY E>4 
,A COLD BLUE L9E ?AT SEV]S HIM 9 TWA9 FROM BALLS TO BR[4 ,A R$ :EEL1 DRAWN ABOVE HIS HE>T ) MANY SMALL] R+S AB\T4 ,CROSSES & >R[ PO9TS1 LOOP )9 LOOP ON BELLY & ON BREA/4 ,! PALE GRE5 PAT*WORK ( HIS ?I<S4 

,AN EYE MAY F9D NO S5SE )9 ! CURLS & TURNS1 NO IMAGE ( A SNAKE NOR ( A BE>1 AS FAVOR$ BY ! NOR!RN M54 ,%AP$ AFT] NO?+ ONE MAY SEE )9 ?IS WORLD1 IT IS A MADNESS1 WILD 9 ITS DEVICE1 & SPEAKS ?AT :I* WE MAY NOT KN[4 ,/>-SCALP$4 ,! LIK5ESS ( A WOMB UPON ONE PALM4 
,! WORDS HE SPEAKS >E SMALL & DRY LIKE BEETLE HUSKS1 SPAT \T AS IF HE DOES NOT LIKE !IR TA/E4 

',! LEAVES FALL DEAD AT NEWS ( ,W9T]4' 

7,! LEAVES4 ,FALL4 ,DEAD4 ,AT NEWS4 ,( ,W9T]4 ,EV]Y WORD1 HE /OPS TO CAT* HIS BREA?47 

',N[ IS ! SLEEP ( LIZ>DS4 ,N[ ! %ORT5+ ( ! DAYS4 ,! CROPS IS 94 ,! %$ IS FULL4 ,N[ MU/ WE (F] ?ANKS4' 

,SOME M5 >E NODD+ 9 ! CR[D4 ,A LITTLE BOY IS L$ \T BY HIS FA!R TO MAKE WAT] UP AGA9/ ! HUT WALL1 !N L$ BACK AGA91 PICK+ ACROSS ! MAT ( TANGL$ LEGS4 ,OLUN IS SPEAK+1 SOCKETS />+ UP 9TO A /ILL1 FLAT VEIL1 ! NET ( SMOKE CA/ FLOAT+ JU/ BEL[ ! RO(4 

',ONCE1 LONG AGO1 !RE IS A CUNN+-MAN :O MAY MAKE SAY ) ALL ! GODS BEL[ ! DIRT4 ,!Y TELL HIM ?AT HE MU/ GIVE UP AN (F]+ & ?ANK ! SOIL = BE+ GOOD1 & FULL ) FRUIT4 

0,:AT MU/ BE (F]$ UP80 ! ,HOB-MAN SAYS4 

0,Y\R SON10 ! GODS SAY BACK4 

',ON HE>+ ?IS HE FALLS TO WEEP+1 BEGG+ !M TO SP>E HIS *ILD1 BUT !Y >E /]N & BID HIM DO ! ?+ !Y SAY1 = HE MU/ %[ HE HAS MORE LOVE = !M ?AN = HIS ONLY FLE%4 ,& SO IT IS4 ,HE B9DS HIS SON & LEADS HIM BY ! RIV]'S $GE1 :]E IS A FIRE BUILT UP4' 

7,! RIV]'S4 ,$GE4 ,:]E IS4 ,A FIRE4 ,BUILT UP47 

',HE SETS HIS SON UPON ! WOOD4 ,! FIRE'S MADE READY & ! DAGG] HON$4 

',!N SPEAK ! GODS BEL[ ! DIRT & SAY ?AT IT IS GOOD = HIM TO KEEP HIS FAI? & LOVE HIS GODS MORE ?AN HIS ONLY FLE%4 0,WE >E SO PLEAS$10 !Y SAY1 0?AT WE DO SP>E Y\R *ILD4 ,SEE1 YOND] IS A PIG CAU<T 9 ! MUD4 ,TAKE D[N Y\R SON FROM (F ! FIRE1 & LET US *ANGE ! PIG 9TO A BOY ?AT Y\ MAY SLAU<T] 9 HIS PLACE40 

',& ?IS IS DONE4 ,! PIG-BOY BURNS1 ! *ILD IS SP>$1 & FROM ?AT TIME WE (F] UP A PIG-BOY TO ! FIRE UPON ! NI<T4 

',:5 NEXT ! LI<T IS COME WE HAVE ONE DAY TO /ACK ! WOOD4 

',WE HAVE ONE DAY TO /ALK ! PIG4 

',WE HAVE ONE NI<T TO PLEASE ! GODS4' 

,HE SI<S4 ',! GODS >E GOOD4' ,! CR[D >E MUTT]+ A MUDDY E*O TO HIS WORDS1 ONE VOICE *OPP$ UP ) MORSELS LODG$ 9 MANY ?ROATS4 ,ONE DAY TO /ACK1 ONE DAY TO /ALK1 ONE NI<T TO PLEASE ! GODS4 ,! GODS >E GOOD4 ,IT SEEMS !SE MUTT]+S >E A SIGN ?AT ,OLUN MAKES HIS SAY NO MORE ?IS NI<T1 = PEOPLE /& & MAKE TO LEAVE4 ,!Y FL[ AB\T US LIKE A SCUM-TIDE1 DRA9+ ?R\< ! DOOR & \T 9TO ! NI<T1 C\<+ & LAU<+4 ,ONLY SCATT]$ HUDDLES /AY TO :ISP] 9 ! HALL4 

,BLACK F+]S1 %UDD]+1 RE/ UPON MY SP9E & PU% ME FROM BEH9D TO URGE ME ON4 

',GO TO Y\R FA!R1' SAYS ! GATEMAN4 
,FA!R DIES ( BEE /+S :ILE WE'RE PASS+ ?R\< ! ,GREAT ,NOR? ,WOODS1 ALL WAD+ BELLY HI< ?R\< HOLL[S DEEP ) WET & %AGGY GRASS4 ,ABOVE US1 :]E ! TREE'S HI< BRAN*ES MAKE A WEB ( TWIGS AGA9/ ! LI<T1 A BIRD IS S++1 CLE> & ALL ALONE )9 ! /IFL+ AFT]NOON4 

,MY FA!R CRIES \T1 J]KS HIS FOOT UP N[ TO CLUT* ITS UND]SIDE1 !N TOPPLES BACKW>DS ) A MOAN1 IS SWALL[$ 9 ! GRASS4 ,WE REA* HIM1 MO!R & MYSELF1 BUT N[ HE'S TWIT*+1 MAK+ NOISES 9 HIS ?ROAT1 ! SWEAT A BRI<T & SUDD5 GLOSS UPON HIS NOSE1 UPON HIS BR[4 ,HE :EEZES FIR/1 !N RATTLES4 ,BO? HIS EYES >E OP51 DULL & SEE+ NO?+4 ,ONE H& CLUT*ES AT ! GRASS B5EA? HIM N[ & !N1 BUT ALL 9 ALL !RE'S LITTLE H]E = ME TO LOOK AT & NO?+ TO DO4 ,LEAV+ MY MO!R KNEEL+ !RE BESIDE HIM1 IT COMES UPON MY FANCY TO RETRACE HIS LA/ /EPS ?R\< ! LAK$ GRASS4 

,9 ! FLATT5$ PAT* :]E HE FIR/ GRABS HIS FOOT & CRIES \T LIES A HALF-PULP$ BEE1 A SME> ( DANG]\S COLOR WIP$ ACROSS ! PR9T M>K ( HIS HEEL4 ,SOME:]E CLOSE 9 ! GRASS MY MO!R />TS TO L[4 ,TA/E ( MY F+]S1 S\R LIKE METAL1 CRAMM$ 9TO MY M\? TO /OP ! LAU<T]4 

,/ILL ! BIRD IS S++4 ,FROM ITS P]* UP 9 ! HI< WOODS !RE IT MAY LOOK D[N & SEE ME1 SEE MY MO!R & MY FA!R & ! BEE1 ?\< SEP>ATE AS WE >E AMONG ! GRASS WE MAY NOT SEE EA* O!R4 ,AS 9 ONE FLAT PICTURE IT OBS]VES US1 ) ! ALL ( FA!R'S DEA? CAU<T FA/ !RE 9 ! BIRD'S JET EYE4 
,! HAG-QUE5 :EEZES SOME?+ TO H] LOOK-AK9S4 ,!Y RAISE !IR GREAT MOON HEADS & WAT* ME MAKE MY WAY T[>DS ! OLD MAN ON HIS B$ ( /ICKS & FEA!RS SET BEL[ !M !RE4 ,DON'T MEET !IR EYE4 ,DON'T SEEM AFRAID4 ,! PACK-DIRT FLOOR1 ASS-W>M B5EA? MY SL[1 UNWILL+ FEET4 

,A WOMAN CR\*ES BY ! PALLET1 GA!R+ ! ,HOB-MAN'S CLOAK ( BLACKBIRD QUILLS AB\T HIS />V$ & NAK$ %\LD]S1 FOLD+ IT TO COV] UP ! S5SELESS DECORATIONS PRICK$ UPON HIS RIBS1 HIS SUNK5 BREA/4 

,%E'S BIG1 ?IS WOMAN2 MAN-BON$ AT ! HIP & PLA9 TO LOOK UPON4 ,HAIR B\ND UP ALL ONE LUMP ATOP H] HEAD1 ! COLOR ( A BABY'S TURD1 HELD ) A SPIKE ( WOOD4 ,R$ *EEKS4 ,A FLAT FACE1 LONG AB\T ! JAW & NO?+ CLEV] 9 H] %E-OX EYES4 

,%E'S PA/ H] *ILD TIME1 YET TOO Y\NG TO BE ! OLD MAN'S MATE4 ,ANO!R DAU<T]1 !N8 ,NO4 ,NO1 ONE SON1 ONE DAU<T]1 ?AT IS ALL !Y SAY TO ME1 ! GIRL & GATEMAN BO?4 ,:AT !N8 ,HIS SI/]1 OR HIS SI/]'S *ILD8 ,A SLAVE8 ,AB\T H] ?ICK GRAY NECK A PIECE ( ?9 BRONZE1 SCRAT*$ ) TE>-%AP$ M>KS & HUNG ON /R+ TWI/S 9 ! TALL[-LI<T4 

,N[1 AT MY DRAW+ NE> %E TURNS TO LOOK AT ME1 A FLAT & /UPID LOOK ?AT HAS NO SP>K 9 IT4 ,PAY H] NO HE$4 ,! OLD MAN'S LY+ WRAPP$ )9 HIS FEA!R CLOAK1 SO ?AT HE LOOKS LIKE TO SOME T]RIBLE BLACK BIRD ?AT HAS AN OLD MAN'S HEAD & FEET4 ,HIS EYES >E CLOS$ AS IF ! MAK+ ( HIS SAY TIRES ALL ! LIFE FROM HIM4 ,HIM4 ,TALK TO HIM1 ! OLD MAN4 ,HE'S ! ONE4 

',FA!R8' 

,MY VOICE4 ,IT MU/ S\ND MORE AK9 TO H]S1 ! GIRL :O MET ) ME UPON ! TRACK4 ,HE MAY RECALL ! WAY H] MO!R SPEAKS TO HIM SO LONG AGO & KN[ ME AS ONE COME FROM O!R P>TS4 ,?9K4 ,TRY TO ?9K BACK H[ ! GIRL SPEAKS1 !RE UPON ! RIV]'S $GE4 ',DO Y\ GO AS F> S\? AS ,BRIDGE-9-,VALLEY8' ',DO Y\ LIKE MY FANCY-BEADS8' ,H] VOICE1 MORE 9 ! NOSE ?AN 9 ! GIZZ>D LIKE MY [N4 ,YES4 ,YES1 ?AT'S IT4 ,N[1 CALL TO HIM ONCE MORE1 BUT 9 ! WAY ! GIRL IS SPEAK+ 9 MY ?\<TS4 ,& L\D]4 

',FA!R8' 

,SUNK 9 SOCKETS DEEP & CRUMBLE-$G$ AS E>?-BE> HOLES1 HIS DYE-/A9$ LIDS CREEP BACK ACROSS ! WET & YELL[$ BALLS BEL[4 ,ONE EYE IS GRE5 & BLACK1 LIKE WAT] 9 A /UMP4 ,! O!R EYE IS :ITE4 ,BL9D :ITE4 

,HE LIES !RE1 />+ UP AT ME1 & SL[LY FR[NS4 ,! M>K+S CRUMPLE ON HIS BR[4 ,SOME ( ! NE$LE-PA9T$ L9ES >E SPREAD AB\T !IR $GES ) ! AG+ ( HIS SK91 BECOME A FAD$ SME> ( DIRTY BLUE1 YET 9 !IR C5T] !Y >E %>P4 ,IT IS AS IF HE HAS ! M>K+S MADE AGA9 FROM YE> TO YE>1 G\G$ DEEP] /ILL TO KEEP !M CLE> & NEW4 ,HIS GRE5 EYE SQU9TS AT ME1 HIS :ITE AT NO?+4 ,BY HIS B$1 ! GREAT SL[ WOMAN SQUATS TO WAT* US1 NO MORE LIFE )9 H] FACE ?AN IS )9 A /ONE4 

',FA!R1 IT'S ,US94' ,TRY+ TO TALK D[N ?R\< MY NOSE1 NOT FROM ! ?ROAT4 

',IT'S ,US94 ,IT'S Y\R DAU<T]4' 
,Y\R DAU<T] TRAILS H] EEL-*EW$ TOES ?R\< RIV]-BOTTOM S& & DANCES (F T[>DS ! SEA4 ,H] HAIR FLOATS \T & HAS ! LOOK ( WE$1 MORE COMELY :5 IT'S DR[N$4 

,%E'S F> BEYOND ?IS PLACE BY N[1 TRIPP+ H] SL[ DANCE ?R\< ! NI<T4 ,ITS /EPS >E CLUMSY1 R\S+ NO MAN ) ! MOVEM5T ( H] FLE%1 NOR EV] MAY AGA94 ,ONLY ! CURR5T HOLDS H]1 FA/ AGA9/ ITS /9K+ BREA/4 
,HE />ES AT ME4 ,! LONG1 UNBL9K+ SIL5CE HOLDS & HOLDS1 & ONLY N[ HE SPEAKS4 

',HURNA8 ,BACK TO MY HUT N[4' 

,NOT TO ME4 ,AL?\< HE />ES ! :ILE 9TO MY EYES HE DOES NOT SPEAK TO ME BUT TO ! HULK+1 SIL5T WOMAN LOOK+ ON4 ,H] NAME IS ,HURNA1 !N4 ,\T ( H] CR\* %E RISES1 WE>ILY UNFOLDS H] L>G5ESS1 ALL )\T A WORD4 ,%E TURNS H] BACK UPON ! B$ ( /ICKS !N /OOPS TO GRASP ! POLES ?AT ?RU/ \T FROM ITS HEAD4 ,%E LIFTS4 ,! SMALLE/ GRUNT ESCAPES H]1 LESS FROM EF=T ?AN H] NE$ TO M>K A TASK COMPLET$4 

,HAV+ LIFT$ UP ! OLD MAN TO A TILT1 NOT /EEP 5\< TO TIP HIM FROM HIS B$1 %E DRAGS ! LITT] (F T[>DS ! R\NDH\SE DOOR1 :]EBY ! MAN ) DY$ & %AK+ H&S /ILL WAITS & WAT*ES US4 ,! PALLET LEAVES A PAIR ( GROOVES BEH9D IT1 SCRAT*$ UPON BLACK DIRT1 & /ILL ! OLD MAN HOLDS MY EYE EV5 AS HE IS DRAGG$ AWAY1 B\ND 9 HIS BLACKBIRD %R\D4 

',WELL8 ,>E Y\ COM+1 DAU<T]8' 

,!RE6 ,HE SPEAKS4 ,HE SPEAKS TO ME & CALLS ME DAU<T]4 

',COM+1 FA!R4 ,DOES Y\R WOMAN NE$ MY HELP 9 DRAGG+ Y\8' 

,HE MAKES A CREAK+ S\ND4 ,IT COMES TO ME ?AT HE IS LAU<+4 

',HURNA8 ,%E IS NOT MY WOMAN4 ,ALL %E DOES IS WIPE MY ASS & FE$ ME1 DRAG ME H]E & !RE1 & 9 RETURN IT IS = ME TO SUFF] ?R\< H] ?\<TS UPON ! SPIRIT WORLD & ALL H] FOOLI% GODS4' 

,H]4 ,FOOLI%4 ,GODS4 ,! WORDS BUR/ \T BETWE5 ! %ALL[ BREA?S4 ,! WOMAN PULLS ! LITT]1 SL[ & EV52 DOES NOT SEEM TO HE> ! ,HOB-MAN MAKE COMPLA9T AGA9/ H]4 ,FOLL[1 WALK+ 9 BETWE5 ! SCRAT*-L9ES SCOR$ UPON ! DIRT BEH9D4 ,DEEP 9 MY ?ROAT !RE IS ! SMELL ( TALL[ SMOKE & FEA!RS4 

,ONE LA/ GLANCE BEH9D3 ! MON/] BOYS >E SITT+ ON ! FURS TO EA* SIDE ( !IR BLOAT$ QUE54 ,ONE1 ,B]N OR ,BURI1 NUZZLES ) HIS HEAD TO KISS H] UND]NEA? ! >M4 ,! O!R HAS HIS H& B5EA? H] WRAPS4 ,LOOK QUICK AWAY4 ,\T ?R\< ! VEIL ( RE$S WE /EP 9TO />-FRO/$ AIR4 ,! PALSI$ GATEMAN ) ! BLACK5$ H&S WAT*ES ME PASS1 BUT DOES NOT SPEAK OR FOLL[4 

,\TSIDE1 IT SEEMS ?AT ,OLUN & HIS T[-HORSE WOMAN DO NOT WAIT = ME1 BUT DRAG AWAY 9TO ! TWI/S ( PA? FOOT-WORN BETWE5 ! CR[D+ HUTS1 ASLEEP & SUNK 9 D>K4 ,!Y MAKE ME RUN TO FALL 9 /EP ) !M1 WALK+ BESIDE ( ,OLUN'S BI] & TALK+ TO HIM ONCE MY BREA? IS CAU<T AGA94 ,AB\T US1 %IFT+S1 MUMBLES 9 ! ?AT*-TOPP$ DWELL+S1 BODIES SETTL+ = ! NI<T 9TO !IR RAGS & /RAW4 

,! OLD MAN TURNS HIS HEAD1 LOOKS UP T[>DS ME FROM HIS B$ ( /ICKS ?AT BUMPS ALONG H]E BY MY SIDE4 

',H[ WELL >E ?+S1' HE SAYS1 'N[ ?AT H]E IS MY DAU<T] COME4 ,:AT IS ! MANY ( ! NI<TS Y\ SP5D UPON ! TRACK8' 

,?IS IS AN ANSW] ?AT ! DEAD GIRL DOES NOT GIVE ME1 AT ! RIV]'S $GE1 ONE ( ! ?+S IT SLIPS MY ?\<TS TO ASK H]4 ,TOO LATE N[ TO CUT AWAY H] O!R ?UMB4 ,MY WITS MU/ SAVE ME & MY WITS ALONE4 

',MORE DAYS ?AN >E )9 MY RECKON+1' IS MY REPLY1 !N1 QUICKLY1 MOV+ ON3 ',ALL ( ?OSE NI<TS1 SLEEP PASSES BY & DOES NOT TAKE ME ) H]1 SO GREAT IS MY FRI<T TO HE> ?AT Y\ >E SICK4' 

,! OLD MAN SMILES1 LIPS CRAWL+ BACK FROM (F ! FEW & YELL[$ TEE?4 ,! SKULL IS RE/LESS1 EAG] = ?AT DAY SOON COME :5 IT MAY %$ ! DRI$ MEAT & ! SUN-CUR$ HIDE1 EM]GE FROM ,OLUN'S HEAD WE>+ A GR9 ( VICTORY AT CONQU]+ ! FLE%4 ,!SE TEE?1 POK$ ?R\< ! %RIVEL$ GUMS1 >E BUT ! H]ALDS ( ITS COM+4 ,UP ABOVE HIS SMILE1 ! OLD MAN SLIDES HIS ICE-:ITE BL9D$ EYE T[>DS ME1 SIDEWISE !RE BETWE5 ITS GRAY+ LIDS4 ,IT SEEMS TO />E AT ME4 

',DO Y\ ?9K ?AT Y\R S*EM+ IS NOT KN[N TO ME8' HE SAYS1 ! SMILE GR[N WID] /ILL1 & 9 MY /OMA* SOME?+ HEAVY FLOPS & MOVES & MAKES MY ASS PULL 9 ALL TI<T4 ,HE KN[S4 ,! OLD MAN KN[S AB\T MY PLAN1 ! BORR[$ BEADS1 ! DEAD ?+ 9 ! RIV]4 ,:AT IS !RE = ME TO SAY OR DO BUT MAKE TO RUN & HIDE MYSELF8 

,HE SPEAKS AGA91 & HOLDS ME ) HIS SMILE1 HIS DEAD-SNAKE EYE4 ',Y\ ?9K TO W9 MY FAVOR ) Y\R WORDS1 IS ?AT NOT IT8' ,HE LAU<S TO SEE ME1 />+ LIKE A ?ROTTL$ CAT T[>DS HIM 9 MY FE> & WOND]M5T4 ',Y\ ?9K TO HAVE ! OLD MAN'S TREASURE :5 ! OLD MAN'S DEAD4 ,!RE IS A LITTLE ( Y\R MO!R 9 Y\ YET1' & H]E HE LAU<S AGA91 & %UTS HIS EYES & LAU<S SO MU* ! LAU<T] TURNS TO C\<+1 WET & DEEP4 

,HE DOES NOT KN[4 ,HE ?9KS ME SLY & GRE$Y1 BUT HE ?9KS ME HIS4 ,?ANK ALL ! GODS1 ?\< NONE 9 TRU? !RE BE4 

,MY ANSW] IS COME EASILY TO ME1 ) JU/ ! R+ ( FEEL+ HURT YET T\*$ ) %AME ?AT SU* A GIRL MI<T HAVE3 ',H[ CAN Y\ MOCK Y\R DAU<T] SO1 ?AT WALKS ! GREAT LONG WAY TO BE BESIDE Y\8 ,H[ IS IT Y\ SAY %E DOES NOT C>E = Y\8 ,:Y1 !RE'S A NOTION 9 ME TO WALK BACK AGA91 SO LITTLE IS MY WANT = SU* A FA!R OR :AT WEAL? HE HAS4' 

,AT ?IS ! C\<+ /OPS4 ,HIS LOOK IS WORRI$ N[1 LESS SURE HE HAS ! HOLD ( ME4 

',NO4 ,Y\ MU/ /AY1 & PAY MY TONGUE NO M9D4 ,IT IS AN OLD MAN'S JE/ & NO?+ MORE4 ,Y\ >E MY ONLY FLE%1 & Y\ MU/ /AY ) ME UNTIL MY 5D4' 

,HIS LIVE EYE SE>*ES M9E1 AFRAID ?AT HE MAY DRIVE ME (F FROM HIM ) ALL HIS TAUNT+4 ,HE HAS NE$ ( ME1 & IS NOT C]TA9 ( MY NE$ = HIM3 ! GAME IS M9E4 ,MY VOICE IS SNIFFY & UNC>+ 9 REPLY1 TO MAKE HIM SQUIRM MORE FA/ UPON ! HOOK4 

',OH YES8 ,Y\R ONLY FLE%1 Y\ SAY8 ,:AT ( MY BRO!R ,G>N8 ,Y\ FAVOR$ HIM ABOVE ME ONCE BE=E4 ,:Y NOT MAKE HIM Y\R COM=T N[ & LEAVE ME 9 MY NOR?L& HOME1 IF Y\ CAN ?9K SO LITTLE ( ME8' 

,H]E HE LOOKS AWAY1 & = A :ILE HE DOES NOT SPEAK4 ,!RE'S SIL5CE SAVE ! DRAG & RATTLE ( HIS B$ ACROSS ! SOIL & /ONES2 ! NOISY BREA?+ ( ! WOMAN AS %E TRUDGES ONW>DS1 PULL+ HIM BETWE5 ! HUTS4 

',G>N IS NO SON ( M9E4' ,HIS WORDS >E H>D1 LIKE UNTO FL9T4 ,HE />ES UP AT ! />S & DOES NOT LOOK AT ME4 

,MY BE/ C\RSE IS TO HOLD MY SIL5CE1 WAIT 'TIL HE SAYS MORE ( ?IS4 ,! HUTS CRAWL BY4 ,! WOMAN PANTS LIKE SOME GREAT DOG1 & N[ HE SPEAKS AGA94 

',IT IS \R CU/OM1 PASS+ TEA*+S TO ! BOY1 AS IT IS \R CU/OM TO SEEK MATES AMONG ! FUR!R L&S SO ?AT IT GIVES A /RONGNESS TO ! BLOOD4 ,?AT IS :Y ,G>N IS TAK5 F> AWAY & Y\ >E LEFT BESIDE ! GREAT COLD SEA4 ,IT IS \R CU/OM1 TO PASS TEA*+S TO A BOY1 BUT ,G>N 444' 

,HE /OPS & HAWKS1 SPITS SOME?+ D>K 9TO ! D>K AB\T US4 

',G>N WILL NOT TAKE UP ! TASK1 & SETS A FACE AGA9/ HIS DUTY4 ,SAYS HE'S NOT A CUNN+-MAN & MAKES WORK AS A METAL-MONG]1 :I* HE ?9KS A CRAFT MORE FITT$ TO \R TIME4 ,HE SAYS HE DOES NOT C>E TO KN[ ! OLD & SECRET WAYS4 ,WE CANNOT TALK SAVE ?AT WE QU>REL1 SO WE DO NOT TALK AT ALL4 

',:Y1 EV5 :5 HE KN[S ! SICKNESS IS UPON ME & MY LIV+ ALL BUT DONE1 HE DOES NOT B5D1 NOR PUT ASIDE HIS HAMM]-/ONES & MOLDS4 ,!RE'S NONE BUT Y\ TO TAKE MY LE>N+S '=E MY BREA? IS GONE1 GIRL4 ,NONE BUT Y\4' 

,HIS EYES >E PITIFUL1 CA/ UP AT ME AS ) AN AIL+ BEA/4 ,:5 M5 >E WEAK1 MY HE>T'S MADE H>D] YET1 BUT !RE IS ONLY C>E )9 MY VOICE1 HU%$ SO AS NOT TO WAKE ! SLEEP]S 9 ! RE$-TOPP$ M\NDS AB\T4 

',:AT IS Y\R ILLNESS1 FA!R8 ,IS IT 9 Y\R W9D1 ?AT Y\ HAVE NOT ! BREA? TO SPEAK8' 

,HIS B$ BUMPS HEAVY1 DRAGG$ ACROSS A SUDD5 HOLL[ 9 ! DIRT4 ,HE GRUNTS1 DISCOMFIT$1 & !N HE SI<S4 

',?IS WILLAGE IS TOO MU* A P>T ( ME4 ,ITS SICKNESSES >E M9E4 ,IF !RE >E BEETLES 9 ! GRA9 D[N AT ! S\?FIELDS1 !N IT GNAWS MY VITALS H]E4' ,HIS H&1 A BRITTLE CRAB1 MOVES L[ ACROSS HIS BELLY4 

',& IF ! OLD R\NDS UP ON ,BEA/HILL FALL TO RU9 & NEGLECT1 !N 9 MY BACK ! BONES GR[ WEAK AS YELL[ /ONE & CRUMBLE :]E ONE SCRAPES UPON ! O!R4' 

,N[ HE LIFTS HIS F+]S1 GE/URES TO ! USELESS CLOTT$ EYE1 LIKE CURDL$ MILK4 ',?IS HAPP5S :5 ! DYE-WELL 9 ! MEAD[S WE/ ( H]E RUNS DRY4 ,OR ELSE A TUNNEL 9 ! UND]-WILLAGE FLOODS1 A CAVE SUBSIDES & LEAVES ME PISS+ BLOOD FROM ONE MOON TO ! NEXT4 ,!Y BURN ! TREES FROM (F ! GREAT EA/ RIDGE TO LEVEL IT ATOP1 & N[ MY WILL NO LONG] /&S4 ,! HAIRS FALL \T & MAKE IT LIKE A BABE'S4' 

,AHEAD1 SET SOME WAY (F FROM ALL ! O!R HUTS1 A PILE ( %AD[ HUN*ES 9 \R PA?1 TO :]E ! WOMAN ,HURNA TRUDGES1 DRAGS ! OLD MAN 9 H] WAKE :O DRAGS ME LIKE-WAYS ) HIS WORDS4 

',! PEOPLE >E ! WOR/ ( IT4 ,:5 ,JEBBA ,BROK5-,TOO? TAKES MAD & KILLS HIS WOMAN & !IR *ILD1 !N IS !RE SEEP+ FROM MY E>4 ,OR1 IF ! BRO!RS ,MANYHORSE >E FEUD+ MY TEE? HAVE A COLD BURN4 ,& N[ ALL ! DO]S ( WRONG ?AT WE GET H]E1 ! CUT-BAGS & ! *EATS1 ! TAP-&-TAKES ALL LIV+ 9 /ILT-SETTLES BY ! DR[N+S4 ,!Y GIVE ME ! LICE4' 

,HE GR9S1 & %[S HIS LONELY TEE?1 ?AT A*E ) ALL ! ANGRY WORDS ?AT PASS BETWE5 ! BRO!RS ,MANYHORSE1 :OEV] !Y MAY BE4 

',ONE TIME1 IT PLEASES ME TO PICK A FAT ONE \T & SPLIT IT ) MY ?UMB4 ,! NEXT DAY1 WORD IS COME ( H[ SOME BUCKET-BELLY F5L& *EAT] GETS CAU<T 9 AMONG HIS /ILT LOGS :5 !Y FALL1 SO ?AT !Y CRU% HIM NE> TO ONE PIECE & ANO!R4' 

,H]E HE LAU<S AGA91 ! CREAK+ ( A DEAD BIRD'S W+1 & H]E WE REA* A HALT1 ! WOMAN CEAS+ 9 H] HAUL BE=E ! HEAP$ UP D>K ?AT IS ! OLD MAN'S HUT4 ,%E %OVES ASIDE ! /OP-WOODS ON !IR SW+ ( ROPE1 :]EFROM A DULL R$ LI<T P\RS \T1 AS FROM A TORTURE HOLE1 & AS %E DRAGS ! OLD MAN 9 HE'S LAU<+ /ILL & MAKES A P9*+ MOTION AT ME1 ?UMB & F+]4 ,BLACK NAILS BITE TOGE!R4 
,!RE 9 ,LITTLE ,MIDD5 ONCE A GIRL NOT MU* MORE ?AN A BABBY TELLS ME H[ %E MAY NOT F9D H] MO!R 9 ! M>KET CR[D1 AS IF IT'S GIV5 UP TO ME TO DO H] MO!R'S M9D+ = H]4 ,FROM A BLACK MAN 9 A ROBE :OSE COLOR IS \TSIDE MY P[] TO NAME1 %E FET*ES ME A BRI<T NEW DAGG] & A SILV] PIECE 9 TRADE4 

,UPON ,%ANK ,SI/] ,HILL A MILLMAN GIVES ME A HALF A PIG = NE> AS MANY BAGS ( DIRT AS !RE >E F+]S ON ONE H&1 ) BUT A F+]'S DEP? ( GRA9 SPREAD \T ATOP EA* BAG TO MASK ! SOIL B5EA?4 

,9 ,DULL>D'S ,WAY !Y CURSE ME /ILL = TRAD+ DRI$ \T DOG-/OOL WRAPP$ 9 B>K AS PRO( AGA9/ ! POX4 

,AN ELD] MAN ( ,REEKDIT* GIVES ME HALF A SK9 ( MA% TO HAVE ME 9 ! M\?1 !N FALLS ASLEEP TO WAKE ) TREASURE BAG & GIZZ>D CUT ! BO?4 

,9 ,FAT ,ASS ,FIELDS1 ! OP5$ M\ND BY NI<T1 MY %\LD]S RACK$ BY ALL ! %OVEL+1 A RAG HELD TO MY NOSE4 ,! ROTT$ F+]S SWELL B5EA? ! R+S1 :I* MU/ BE TWI/$ (F4 ,! S(T5$ FLE% RUCKS UP AB\T ! JO9T1 SL\<S (F COMPLETELY AS ! R+'S PULL$ CLE>4 

,9 ,SICKLY ?AT BIG FAT GIRL & H] HALF A LOAF ( BREAD 444 

,! OLD MAN CLICKS HIS BEETLE-COLOR$ NAILS & MOMS ! SPLITT+ ( A TICK4 
,9SIDE1 ! GREAT BELLHUT'S A LUNG /IT*$ \T ( RU% & HIDE ON RIBS ( WOOD1 FILL$ ) ! BREA? ( S\R+ PISS & DAMP ?AT M>KS ! OLD1 ?\< SPIC$ ) R>] SC5TS4 ,BIG1 YET MADE SMALL BY ALL ! CLUTT] /ACK$ )91 FANTA/IC CLIFFS ( DOG-SK9 MASKS & GOD-FAC$ %IELDS1 ( RATTLES1 FEA!R$ BONES & CLAYBAK$ M5-9-K9D4 ,/RANGE BIRDS1 DEAD YET UNROTT51 /IFF & />+1 CAG$ 9 WOV5 WOOD4 ,A SN>L ( PICKL$ RATS ALL KNOTT$ AT ! TAIL & NAIL$ TO B>K4 ,A CUR$ & V>NI%$ HE>T4 ,ROCKS F+]-M>K$ BY MON/]S1 COOK+ B[LS & SPOOLS ( /IT*+ GUT & MORE & MORE 9 HAZ>D-FOOT$ SCREEHILLS TO ! RO('S D>K UND]HANG4 

,!RE >E BUT %\LD]-N>R[ PASSAGES LEFT CLE> BETWE5 ! LI/+ SC>PS ( MUDDL$ TOOL & FETI%-/ICK1 BETWE5 ! DU/-DRY G>L&S & ! EELSK9 ROBES4 ,IS ?IS LIKE SOME?+ SE5 BE=E1 9 A =GOTT5 BABY DREAM ( M9E8 

,A FI/ ( AMB] ) A HORRID LITTLE SEA-FRI<T CAU<T 9SIDE1 ITS BODY FLAT ) TUFTS ( BLOODWORMS GR[+ FROM ! BACK ( IT1 RAIS$ UP ON MANY P9-/IFF LEGS1 & FROM ONE 5D A BULB :]E IS A FACE ?AT MAKES ME J]K AWAY4 ,A B[L ?AT MAY BE SE5 ?R\<1 & AN UNBORN BABY GIRL1 CURL$ UP1 H] BL9D HEAD *ALK$ TO :ITE !N PA9T$ BRI<TLY1 LIKE A :ORE4 

,SOME:]E T[>DS ! C5T] ( ?IS QUE]-MAZ$ R\ND AN EMB] PIT ?R[S UP A SULK+ LI<T4 ,LIKE BEADS ( MELT$ ORE IT PRICKLES R$ UPON ! RUBBL$ ORNAM5TS2 IS CAU<T 9 PA9T$ SAIL%EETS1 %AD[BACK$2 CUT 9TO SMOK+ SLATS ( P9K & GRE5+ D>K UPON ! %>PNESS ( !IR $GE4 ,SLABB$ BLACK FALLS ON ! PASSAGEWAYS AMONG ! USELESS ?+S1 SLA%$ H]E & !RE BY %AFTS ( BLOODY =GE-LI<T SPILL+ FROM ! HEAP$-UP SIDE-PA?S ( ?OSE CORN]S :]E ONE *ANNEL =KS 9TO ANO!R4 

,SAV+ :5 !Y DRAG ?R\< SU* A *IMNEY-%AFT ( SUDD5 W>FIRE BRI<TNESS1 NO?+ MAY BE SE5 ( ,OLUN ON HIS B$ ( /ICKS4 ,FOLL[+ !M ) E>S ALONE3 ! PALLET'S RASP ACROSS ! SCOR$ BLACK DIRT1 ! WOMAN'S FOOT-?UD MUFFL$1 DRUMM+ ?R\< IT1 TICKL+ B5EA? ! B>5ESS ( MY HEEL4 ,N[ LOS+ !M AB\T A B5D & HURRY+ TO CAT* !M UP1 COME R\ND ! TURN 9 TIME TO SEE ! OLD MAN'S NE$LE-H>R[$ FACE BLE$ SUDD5 R$ & BRI<T FROM \T ! D>K AS IT DRAGS ?R\< A /RIPE ( LI<T4 ,! /RIPE GR[S WIDE4 ,WE >E /EPP+ \T 9TO ! EMB]-LI<T$ R\ND ( OP5 SPACE !RE C5T]+ ?IS PUZZLE-TRACK ( PIL+ CASKS1 DREAM TUMBLES1 R>Y BITS4 

,H] FLAT FACE GLEAM$ ) SWEAT1 ! WOMAN1 ,HURNA1 SETS ! OLD MAN & HIS PALLET D[N TO RE/ BESIDE ! SUNK5 FIRE1 !N LUMB]S (F )\T A WORD = WOOD TO BR+ IT BACK TO ! FLAME4 ,LO/ 9 A MOM5T1 GREAT BE> FOOTFALLS /UMBL+ (F 9TO ! MAZE ( RELIC TOYS4 

,! OLD MAN'S TIR$1 SO S5DS ME (F TO SLEEP 9 ONE F> CORN] HUNG ) HIDES & SET AP>T4 ,HE TELLS ME NOT TO PAY IT M9D IF HE & ,HURNA SET & TALK AB\T ! EMB]S = A TIME4 ,IT'S PLA9 HE DOES NOT WI% ME TO KEEP COMPANY ) !M1 & SO MY B$ IS MADE FROM FURS1 ! FIRESIDE'S LI<T %UT \T AB\T ME BY ! HANG+S4 

,SOON1 !RE'S ! S\ND ( ,HURNA COM+ BACK ) WOOD1 ! CLATT] AS %E ?R[S IT D[N4 ,!Y TALK !N1 L[1 ! FIR/ TIME ?AT %E SPEAKS )9 MY HE>+4 ,:Y1 %E S\NDS MORE FLAT & /UPID ?AN %E LOOKS1 :I* IS A ?+ TO SAY4 

,IT IS MY HOPE ?AT !Y MAY TALK ( %ANK+1 OR ( SOME?+ GOOD TO LI/5 ON1 BUT NO4 ,%E DRE>S AB\T A GOD ?AT SWALL[S US1 :I* DOES NOT S\ND ! GOD = ME4 ,%E SAYS ONCE WE >E SWALL[$ UP !N WE MAY BE BORN NEW AMONG ! GODS4 ,AS :AT8 ,A TURD ?AT BOBS !RE 9 !IR GOLD5 MIDD5-HOLE8 ,?+S MAY BE BORN !N SWALL[$1 ?\< IT MAY NOT BE ! O!R WAY AB\T1 NOT 9 MY RECKON+4 

,ONCE 9 A :ILE ! OLD MAN'S VOICE BREAKS 9 & CRACKLES SOME?+ %>P ) SCORN1 )DRAWS AGA9 TO LET ! WOMAN'S ANSW] DRAG AWAY & ON & ON 9TO ! NI<T4 ,%E PULLS !IR TALK ALONG1 A PALLET WEI<$ ) BLUNT & HEAVY WORDS4 

,BEL[ MY FUR & NAK$ SAVE MY FANCY-BEADS1 MY EYES >E %UT BUT NOT MY E>S4 ,H] WORDS FLOAT ?R\< ME4 ,ESS5CE4 ,SPIRIT-ORE4 ,! HOBBLES ( ! FLE%4 ,*ANGE4 ,BE TRANS=M$1 REFIGUR$ 9 ! PASSION1 PASSION1 PASSION A% 444 
,! A%FIELDS4 ,ME A LITTLE GIRL4 ,?IS SN[ IS DRY1 W>M GRAY1 ITS SMOO!D & R\ND$ FLANKS JU/ RI<T = /EPP+ 91 A P[D] F9] ?AN ! /ONE-GR\ND CORN1 AS COOL & SLIPP]Y AS WAT] ON MY FOOT ?AT N[ S9KS 91 & 91 EXPECT+ GR\ND1 & DEEP]1 !RE'S NO FIRMNESS UND]NEA? ! A% TO /OP ME FALL+ 444 
,/>T AWAKE4 ,! FURS PIL$ UP AB\T MY NECK4 ,! HANG+S1 P9K LIT ON ! O!R SIDE & /ILL ! WOMAN'S VOICE BEYOND !M4 ,SWEAT ALL UP MY BACK & SILKY WET BETWE5 ! BREA/S4 ,!SE FURS MAKE ME TOO HOT4 ,TAKE \T MY >MS & %\LD]S FROM B5EA?4 ,?AT'S BETT]4 ,COOL]4 ,TURN & ROLL UPON MY O!R SIDE4 ,! BEAD$ HOOP ( WIRE N[ DIGS 9TO MY %\LD] ?AT IT MU/ BE PU%$ AWAY4 ,!RE4 ,N[ ! ALL ( ME FEELS GOOD1 SO SLACK & TIR$ ?AT IT ESCAPES MY ?\<TS JU/ :]E MY LEG RE/S1 OR MY H&4 ,ALL ONE S(T PIECE1 ?AT DOES NOT KN[ ! DIFF]5T BITS ( ME4 

,! WOMAN'S WORDS1 SMOO? ( ALL MEAN+ N[1 >E ONLY S\NDS1 GRAY PEBBLES SLEEK & WET ?AT TUMBLE SL[ ?R\< NO?+1 H]E 9SIDE MY EYELIDS3 ,BEA/HILL4 ,HE>TR+4 ,URN$ ) QUE5S4 ,! *EAT$ WORM4 ,BONES MILL$ & RAK$4 ,& :5 Y\4 ,& :5 ALL ( US4 ,:5 WE4 ,:5 WE >E SP>KBORN 444 

,9 MY D>K1 ! COLOR FLUKES PLAY BLUE1 NO1 R$1 & RUN TO MAKE A R+4 ,IT COBWEBS \T1 IT COBWEBS \T & AT ! C5T] COMES A MELT1 DEEP W9T] GRE5 &1 GLIMM]+1 BREAKS AP>T1 ! RIPPLES1 RIV]1 RIV]'S $GE1 & H]E %E COMES1 ! GIRL1 H] ?ROAT ALL OP5 BUT %E DOES NOT PAY IT M9D1 & %E IS SMIL+1 PLEAS$ TO MEET ) ME4 

',COME UP ! RIV] BANK A LITTLE WAY1' %E'S SAY+ N[4 ',!RE IS A BIG BLACK DOG UP !RE :O SAYS HE KN[S ( Y\4' 

,%E TURNS & WALKS1 LEAD+ AHEAD4 ,:]E IS ! RIV] GONE TO8 ,!RE >E BU%ES AT EA* SIDE & PILES ( CLUTT] /OOD AMONG !M1 HEAP+ M\NTS ( QUE] & CLEV] ?+S ?AT >E WELL KN[N TO ME1 AL?\< !IR NAMES >E NOT N[ 9 MY ?\<TS4 ,! GIRL IS CALL+ UP AHEAD1 ALONG ! PASSAGEWAY4 

,TRY+ TO CAT* UP NEXT TO H] BUT SOME?+'S TANGL+ MY FEET & MAKES ME SL[4 ,H] VOICE GOES FUR!R (F FROM ME4 ,%E'S TALK+ N[ TO SOMEONE1 YET H] WORDS >E FLAT & HAVE NO SPIRIT 94 ,?AT MU/ BE H[ IT IS1 ! TALK BETWE5 ! DEAD4 ,PU% ON4 ,PU% DEEP] AFT] H]4 ,IT'S D>K] N[4 ,IS ?AT H] CALL+ ME8 ,IT'S D>K] N[ 444 
,LI<T4 ,MORN+ LI<T4 ,:AT PLACE IS ?IS TO F9D MYSELF AWAKE8 

,OLUN4 ,! OLD MAN'S HUT4 ,! FA!R ( ! GIRL4 ,! GIRL BESIDE ! RIV]'S $GE4 

,AH YES4 

,YET HALF ASLEEP1 /ILL FURRY 9 MY ?\<TS & MUTT]+ TO MYSELF :ILE PULL+ ON H] CLO!S1 MY CLO!S1 !N CRAWL+ \T 9TO ! C5T] R\ND ( ,OLUN'S HUT4 ,DES]T$4 ,FIRE PIT COLD & DEAD4 ,! GRAY+1 LIV]-COLOR$ RANKS ( ODDM5T ?AT SURR\ND ME ROBB$ ( ALL !IR MIDNI<T GLAM\R BY A SUN ?AT'S /RA9$ 9 DU/$ SP9DLES ?R\< ! *9K$ RU% RO( ABOVE4 

,!Y HAVE A /ILLNESS & AN OLD HU% 9 !M N[1 !SE *9ES ( BAUBLE & REMA94 ,! N>R[ PA?S RAV9+ ?R\< !M >E LESS MAZ$ AS SE5 BY PE>L ( MORN+1 MAK+ IT A SIMPLE ?+ TO F9D MY WAY \T1 /UMBL+ & MUMBL+ TO DAY4 ,SQU9T+ AGA9/ ?IS BRI<T2 ! WORLD SME>S 9 MY LA%ES4 

',US98 ,US96' 

,HE SAYS IT YET AGA9 BE=E IT COMES UPON ME ?AT ?IS IS MY NAME4 ,TURN AB\T4 ,! OLD MAN LIES BE=E ME ON HIS RAFT ( TWIGS1 WRAPP$ NOT 9 FEA!RS N[ BUT 9 A ROBE ( MANY DOG-PELTS1 :OLE1 SO ?AT BLACK SN\TS %[ H]E & !RE ABOVE ! SLA%$ V5T ( A M\?1 BEL[ ! LIDD$ FA/5+ HOLES4 

,BESIDE HIM FOOD IS SPREAD 9 B[LS ( POLI%$ BRONZE4 ,A HOT FI%1 GAP+4 ,CL\D$ ) AL>M & GREAT UNHAPP9ESS ITS /EAM$ EYES FIX UPON ME4 ,NE> TO ?IS A DI% NOT BIGG] ?AN A ?UMB-CUP1 FILL$ ) BITT] *]RY MA%4 ,CRU/-HID$ HAUN*ES ( GRAY BREAD TO DIP4 ,A SK9 ( GOATW>M MILK TO WA% IT D[N4 

',HURNA & MYSELF1 WE EAT AT DAWN4 ,%E'S (F TO WOR%IP ) H] PEOPLE N[ & IS NOT COM+ BACK ?IS SIDE ( NOON4 ,N[ Y\ MAY EAT4' 

,HE SIGNIFIES T[>DS ! FOOD1 A SPASM ( HIS PATT]N$ H&4 

,HE WAT*ES ME CR\* CROSS-KNE$1 TAKE ! DAGG] FROM MY P\* & SCORE HIS FI% ALONG ITS BACK1 AB\T ITS TAIL1 ! GILL-L9E ( ITS ?ROAT1 GRAY VAPOR BLE$+ UP FROM :]E ! BLACK SK9 SPLITS1 PEELS BACK B5EA? MY $GE4 ,?UMB \T ! SP9E4 ,EASE UP ! HAIRBONE PRONGS ( RIB FROM SMOK+ :ITEMEAT SLOTS4 ,N[ LIFT ! BRITTLE C5TIP$E ( BACKBONE \T ) FACE & >SEF9S ALL1 TO SET ASIDE4 ,PRICK \T A SLAT ( FLE%1 RAIS$ SMOLD]+ & PU%$ BETWE5 MY LIPS ON DAGG]PO9T1 :I* GIVES ME CAUSE TO ?9K ( H[ ?AT PO9T IS LA/ EMPLOY$4 

,MY *EW+ TAKES SOME :ILES1 MY SWALL[ H>DLY LESS4 ,\T FROM B5EA? A DI%RIM1 FL>+ BRONZE1 ! F]N-TAIL$ SKELETON IS />+1 GIRL-EY$1 !RE BESIDE MY PLATE4 ,*EW1 SWALL[1 TAKE SOME MORE1 BUT ?IS TIME ) MY F+]S4 ,OLUN WAT*ES ME1 & :5 HE SEES MY M\?'S TOO FULL TO MAKE AN 9T]RUPTION )\T *OK+ ME1 HE SPEAKS4 

',:ILE ,HURNA IS NOT H]E WE MAY WALK UP ! RIV] PA? A WAY1 AS MAY BE TO ! BRIDGE & BACK4 ,IF Y\'RE TO HAVE MY LEAV+S1 IT'S AS WELL Y\ HAVE A CUNN+ ( ! L& & ALL ITS LIE4' 

,IT COMES TO ME ?AT HE SAYS ',WE MAY WALK'1 :5 IT IS ONLY ME :O'S FIT TO DO AS MU*4 ,HE MEANS = ME TO DRAG HIM1 9 ?AT OX-LEGG$ WOMAN'S /EAD1 & ME SO LITTLE BUILT6 ,! FLAKES ( CREATURE 9 MY M\? & M5TION ( HIS LEAV+S3 !SE >E ALL ?AT /OP ME CALL+ HIM ! LAZY1 CRAFTY GILL CLOT ?AT HE IS4 

,HE DOES NOT SPEAK AGA9 ?R\<\T ! FI%1 ! BREAD OR SWEET1 DIRT-GRITT$ MILK1 & YET FROM :ILE TO :ILE HE OP5S UP HIS M\? AS IF TO DO SO1 ?\< HE MAKES NOT ANY S\ND AT ALL4 ,IT'S ONLY N[ IT COMES TO ME ?AT !SE >E GASPS HE MAKES TO TAKE HIS BREA?4 

,! *]RY /EW'S TOO %>P = ME1 LEFT B>ELY TA/$4 ,AFT]W>DS1 UPON MY B5D+ L[ TO WRAP HIS DOG-COAT TI<T] 9 BE=E HIS PALLET'S TAK5 UP & DRAGG$1 HE LIFTS ONE H& & G5TLY WIPES AWAY ! GOATMILK BEAD$ ON MY UND]LIP1 A TA/E ( /ALE & SMOKE-CUR$ F+]-5D4 ,HE SMILES1 EYES CREAS+ 9 ! WEB-SK9N$ SOCKETS4 ,?REE SMALL FI%-M>KS DRAWN BRI<T R$ UPON ONE LID >E LO/ )9 ! SUDD5 FISSUR$ DEEPS4 
,NO SIRE OR DAM ( M9E HAS NE$ TO MAKE ME DRAG !M ALL ?IS WAY4 ,! FA!R L[]$ BEE-/UNG TO HIS GRAVE UP 9 ! HOLL[S ( ! ,GREAT ,NOR? ,WOODS1 HE DOES NOT ASK = ME TO DRAG HIM1 /9K+1 ALL AB\T ! L&4 ,NOR IS MY MO!R C>RI$ :5 %E SICK5S1 :OR+ 9 ! M9E CAMPS EA/ ( H]E1 ! BO? ( US TOGE!R N[ ?AT FA!R'S DEAD1 & :5 H] C\< />TS PUTT+ (F MY CU/OM]S !RE'S NO?+ MORE TO DO ?AN LEAVE H]4 ',Y\ RE/ H]E4 ,IT DOES NOT TAKE ME LONG TO F9D SOME FIREWOODS & COME BACK4 ,RE/1 ,MO!R4 ,RE/ & WAIT = ME1' & MORN+ F9DS ME 9 ANO!R PLACE1 D[N TRACK1 ALONE4 

,! BO? ( !M >E DEAD & GONE N[1 NEI!R >E !Y C>RI$ !RE4 
,MY GRIP IS SORE AB\T ! LITT]'S POLES1 H&S WEAL$ & CALLUS+1 & WE >E B>ELY \T ! WILLAGE1 B>ELY \T ! SKE9 ( KNOTT$ DU/ TRACKS :]E ! *ILDR5 LAU< & FI<T BETWE5 ! BU/L+ HUTS1 !IR ?9 BR[N %APES ?AT TUMBLE 9 & \T ( VIEW LIKE SPIRITS ?R\< ! POT-HAZE1 /EW CL\DS WAT]Y & DISMAL TO ! NOSE1 A FEV] FOG ?AT DAMPS ! *EEK4 

,?\< HE IS DRAGG$ BEH9D UPON HIS PALLET 9 MY WAKE IT FEELS AS IF ! OLD MAN'S PU%+ ME1 GOAD+ ME ON BEYOND ! HUT-R+S TO ! SETTLEM5T'S NOR? GATE4 ,WE CROSS PA?S ) ! BIR?-M>K$ BOY :O PLAYS ! GU>D ON MY >RIVAL4 ,WALK+ ) A %ORT1 S(T-FATT$ GIRL :OSE SPECKL$ %\LD]S PALE TO MILK B5EA? H] BLOOD-GOLD HAIR1 HE DOES NOT LOOK AT ME4 

,! WAT*-HUT BY ! GATE IS EMPTY AS WE SCRAPE BETWE5 ! %OR$ UP BRACK5S TO ! FIELD BEYOND4 ,! EMPTY WAT*-HUT TR\BLES ME1 BUT ONCE WE'RE ?R\< ! GATE ITS REASON'S PLA93 ! WI!R$ MAN ) DYE-BLACK$ H&S IS /OOD \TSIDE1 TURN$ FACE T[>DS ! B>RI] ( ?ORN1 A CORD$ WILL LIMP 9 HIS RATTL+ H&S4 ,ON WAT* ALONE HE /EPS \TSIDE ! GATE TO MAKE A PISS1 BUT FROM ! LOOK ( IT HE /&S & NO?+ COMES4 

,AS WE PASS BY HIM1 ME 9 FRONT1 ! OLD MAN DR$G+ !RE BEH9D1 HE GLANCES UP1 SEES ,OLUN1 & CALLS \T4 

',Y\ HAVE A DAU<T]1 !N4 ,?AT'S NEW4' 

',AYE1' ,OLUN CROAKS1 REPLY+4 ',AYE1 ?AT'S NEW4' ,?US WE PASS ON & TAKE ! PA? BESIDE ! RIV]1 YELL[ DIRT TROD BALD BETWE5 ! SCRUBS ( GRASS4 ,BRONZ$ LEAVES PILE AGA9/ TREES ?AT /& LIKE WID[S1 %\LD]S B>E & B5T ) GRIEF1 HEADS HUNG & GRAY HAIR CAT*+ 9 ! RIV]SK9 :]E CURR5TS BRAID TO SILV]1 SPLIT ON TWIG 5DS4 ,LOOK+ UP FROM FROZ51 TRUDG+ FEET & BACK ACROSS MY %\LD]1 SEE ! SOOT-GLOV$ GATEMAN LEAN+1 /ILL ) FACE T[>DS ! ?ORN & WAIT+ = ! DAM TO BREAK4 

,WE SCRAPE & CLATT] ON BESIDE ! RIV]1 C\NT] TO ITS FL[4 ,! TWIG-B$ CRACKLES1 DRAWN ALONG ! H>D-WORN PA? BEH9D ME1 LIKE A BRU%FIRE AT MY BACK FROM :I* A VOICE COMES N[1 ! OLD MAN'S1 CRACKL+ ALSO4 

',IF Y\'RE 444' ,A BREA?4 ',TO FOLL[ ME 444' ,ANO!R4 ,BY !SE CON/ANT1 DESP]ATE SUCK+S-D[N ( AIR HIS TALK IS BROK51 SUDD5 $DIES 9 ITS FL[4 

',IF Y\'RE TO FOLL[ ME1 !N Y\ MU/ KN[ MY PA?4 ,IF Y\'RE TO BE ! CUNN+ ONE :5 ,I AM GONE1 :Y1 !N Y\ HAVE MY LEAV+S1 BUT IT MU/ BE ?AT Y\ HAVE MY LE>N+S ALSO4' 

,LI/5+ TO HIM SPEAK1 IT COMES TO ME ?AT ?\< HE MAY BE OLD HE HAS HIS WITS AB\T HIM4 ,Y\ CAN HE> IT 9 ! WAY HE FITS HIS WORDS ONE TO ANO!R1 CLE> DESPITE ! 9T]RUPT+ BREA?4 ,MY MO!R1 Y\NG] F> ?AN HE1 SAYS ONLY ',CACK' & ',WET' & ',:]E'S HE GONE8' ?OSE LA/ FEW MOONS4 ,?IS ,OLUN IS NO FOOL1 & SO HE HAS MY E>4 

,! FIRE VOICE SPUTT]S ON1 ABOVE ! LITT]'S CRACKL+S4 ',MY WAY ( LE>N+ IS MY PA?1 /ILL TRODD5 9 MY ?\<TS1 AL?\< MY WALKS 9 ?IS WORLD >E NO MORE4' 

,HE DOES NOT NE$ TELL ?AT TO ME1 ME ) MY PALMS ALL BLI/]$ & MY %\LD]S SORE FROM DRAGG+ HIM4 

,HE DRAWS HIS FRANTIC1 DR[N+ BREA? & !N GOES ON4 ',?IS TRACK ( KN[+'S BEAT5 ?R\< WILD OV]GR[?S ( ?\<T BY LONG MOONS ( REPEAT+1 YET MEANS NO?+ IF IT HAS NO C\NT] 9 ?IS WORLD1 ! WORLD :]E9 WE WALK & DIE4' 

,HE LEAVES ! WALK+ UP TO ME &1 9 RETURN1 ! DY+'S LEFT TO HIM4 

',MY PA? ( ?\<TS IS !RE=E DRAWN FROM ALL ! PA?S AB\T ME 9 ! TRU? ( LIFE4 ,!SE T]RITORIES ?AT WE SPAN >E AS LIKE SPANN$ )91 :]E !RE >E MONUM5TS ( NOTION1 *ASMS1 PEAKS & /REAMS = NI<T-?\<TS !RE TO SPAWN4 ,IF Y\ W\LD KN[ MY PA? & FOLL[ 9 ITS WAY1 !N KN[ ! L& AB\T1 BO? TRACK & WILLAGE1 9 ITS BRIDGE & 9 ITS DR[N+S4 ,KN[ ! \TCA/ RAT-%ACKS1 RELIC /ONES & GILL-HALLS4 ,M>K EA* PA? ABOVE & KN[ ! UND]PA? BEL[1 ITS SECRET WAY FROM VAULT TO TREASURE HOLE4' 

,MY PEACE IS HELD1 ALL ! LONG :ILE HE TALKS4 ,?IS WORD ( TREASURE1 ?\<1 MU/ NOT SLIP BY1 & BIDS ME TO BREAK 94 

',:AT UND]PA? IS ?IS1 & H[ IS IT = ME TO WALK1 IF ALL ITS WAYS BE SECRET8' 

,HE IS SNIFFY1 WAV+ ME AWAY ) HIS REPLY4 

',WE HAVE \R ,URK5-TRACKS B5EA? ! SOIL4 ,ONLY ! ,HOB OR ,HOB-WIFE KN[ !IR WAYS1 ?AT PASS FROM H& TO CUNN+ H& ACROSS ! AGES4 ,MANY TREASURES ( \R CRAFT >E !RE1 BUT ?IS IS Y\RS TO KN[ :5 Y\ >E READY1 FILL$ ) KN[+S ( ! PLA9] TRACKS ABOVE ?AT >E AN EQUAL TO Y\R CALL+4 ,ON ?AT DAY1 IT MAY WELL BE ?AT Y\ GO D[N & WALK ! C&L$ LEAGUES Y\RSELF1 :]E !SE OLD FEET ( M9E ONCE TREAD ! WORMSLOPES & ! *ILLY ROCK1 ?AT ONLY TREAD !RE 9 MY DOG-DREAMS N[4 ,BE=E ?AT DAY Y\ MU/ TREAD ALL ! PA?S ABOVE1 & KN[ ! /ORIES SET ALONG !IR WAY4' 

,?IS TR\BLES ME4 ,IT SEEMS ! OLD MAN HAS IT 9 HIS ?\<TS = ME TO DRAG HIM ALL ?R\< UP & D[N ALONG !SE PA?S HE TALKS AB\T1 :I* DOES NOT PLEASE ME1 NOT AT ALL4 ,AS = ! /ORIES SET ALONG !IR WAY1 ! ONES ?AT HANG !RE 9 ! TORSO G>D5 >E ALREADY KN[N TO ME1 & IT'S NOT MY DESIRE TO HE> ( ANY MORE4 ,IT /RIKES ME1 S9CE WE DO NOT PASS 9 SI<T ( ?OSE /AK$ C>RION1 MY PA? ( LA/ NI<T GONE MU/ LIE SOME WAY EA/ ( ?IS RIV]-WALK1 :I* PLEASES ME RI<T WELL4 ,TRUDGE ON1 ! LEAVES ALL KICK+ UP AB\T MY FEET4 

,N[ ,OLUN CALLS = ME TO /OP A :ILE1 & BIDS ME LOOK AWAY N[ FROM ! RIV] TO ! EA/1 :]E RISES UP A HILL ) :ITE SMOKE TWI/+ \T 9 RIBBONS FROM ITS TOP4 ,IT IS ! HILL BY :I* MY WAY IS MADE D[N TO ! BOG-/RUCK VALLEY FLOOR UPON MY COM+ H]E1 ITS CRE/-FIRES BURN+ /ILL BY DAY4 ,F> (F1 ACROSS ! FIELDS1 ! LITTLE PEOPLE /OOD AB\T ! BLAZES ON ?AT PEAK MAY YET BE SE54 ,!IR *ANT+1 FA9T & DI/ANT1 COMES TO US ) EA* NEW %IFT ( W9D1 ONE VOICE ( NOTE MORE /RID5T ?AN ! RE/1 ?AT C>RIES FUR!R4 

',?AT IS ,HURNA1' SAYS ! OLD MAN1 CACKL+ ! :ILE & SPRAY+ SPIT ACROSS HIS PUP-FAC$ WRAP4 ,HE (F]S UP NO FUR!R WORD1 BUT BIDS ME HEFT ! POLES & C>RY ON4 ,\R %AD[S %RIVEL UP B5EA? ! CLIMB+ SUN4 ,! :ILES PASS BY4 

,AHEAD & TO MY RI<T A MEAD[ SWAMP ( RU%ES FANS AWAY1 A HOLL[ ( BLAN*$ SPE>S ?AT HAS A CROP ( SOLID L& KNOBB$ UP FROM \T ITS MIDDLE LIKE AN ISL& 9 A LAKE ( RE$1 & !RE UPON IT /&S A M\ND ( WOOD1 AS = A FIRE4 ,!RE >E SOME *ILDR5 PLAY+ NE> IT1 BOYS :O CR\* AB\T ANO!R ( !IR K9D1 :O LIES UPON HIS BACK4 ,!Y JAB1 & FONDLE HIM1 & MAKE L\D CRIES4 

,AS WE TREAD NE>]1 PASS+ !M1 IT COMES TO ME ?AT ?IS IS NOT A *ILD ?AT LIES BETWE5 !M BUT A BOY-9-K9D1 :OSE EMPTY RAGS !Y /UFF & POKE ) /RAW TO L5D HIM =M4 

',!Y'RE READY+ ! PIG-BOY 9 ! ,HOBFIELD1 !N1' SAYS ,OLUN1 BUT IT'S BETT] ?AT MY BREA? IS PUT TO HAUL+ HIM1 & NOT TO ASK+ HIM ! :]E ( EV]Y MAD-HEAD ?+ ?AT HE MAY SAY4 ,TRUDGE ON4 ,! LEAVES BUR/ UP LIKE BIRDS1 & ON1 & ON1 & ONLY N[1 MY BACK NI< BROKE & F+]S FIT TO FALL AWAY1 IS !RE A SI<T+ ( ! BRIDGE1 !RE AT ! F> 5D ( ?IS RIV] TRACK1 ALL PASSAGE-WALL$ ) PEEL+ BIR* TREES1 A%5 SILV] 9 ! LI<T4 ,ALMO/4 ,WE'RE ALMO/ !RE4 
,! OLD MAN TELLS ME ALL HIS SECRETS JU/ BE=E HE DIES1 & LETS ME J\RNEY D[N 9TO ! TUNNELWAYS B5EA? ! SETTLEM5T1 :]E !RE >E SILV] B[LS & WRI/LETS MADE ( GOLD4 ,BY /ILL ( NI<T1 ?IS HO>D IS C>RI$ (F D[N TRACK A WAY1 TO :]E MY NEW HOME WAITS = ME4 ,MY NEW WEAL?'S TRAD$ 9 = L&1 = OX5 & F9E WRAPS & PRETTY SLAVES1 ?AT ALL ?OSE PASS+ BY MY HUT MAY SEE ITS GR&NESS & ITS H]D$ GR\NDS & SAY1 ',H[ F9E A WOMAN MU/ LIVE !RE4' 

,MY FOOD IS NO?+ SAVE ! R>E/ FI% & ! MO/ T5D] PIECES CUT FROM 9FANT BEA/S4 ,TALL1 PA9T$ W>RIORS >E SET TO GU>D MY DAYS2 ! /RONGE/ S]VICE ME BY NI<T1 & EV]Y MOON MY WILLE9S (F] UP !IR ?ANKS & BAGS ( GRA9 TO ME4 ,!IR *ILDR5 DANCE BETWE5 ! ROSE-TW9$ PILL>S ( MY /ILT$ *AIR4 
,?IS IS !IR BRIDGE1 !N4 ,BIG BLACK LOGS ?AT SMOO? TOGE!R D[N ACROSS ! AGES MAKE ! CURVE ( IT1 ?AT RISES G5TLY UP AWAY FROM US T[>DS ITS HUMP1 ABOVE ! FOAMS & *URN+ DEEPS BEL[4 ,= ALL MY C>E 9 HAUL+ HIM & LITT] BO? ACROSS ! BUMP-TOPP$ WOODS1 ! OLD MAN GRUNTS & CLICKS HIS TONGUE & MAKES COMPLA9T TO ME EA* TIME HIS BONES >E J>R$4 

,H]E1 ON ITS NE>-5D SLOPE1 ! BLACK5$ SPAN HAS *9KS BETWE5 ! TIMB]S4 ,IT SEEMS !RE IS A LITTLE PIT DUG UND]NEA? ?IS S\? SIDE ( ! BRIDGE4 ,MY EYES SQU9T1 PE]+1 BUT :ATEV] ONCE MAY BE TO SEE 9SIDE ! HOLE IS LONG S9CE GONE4 ,!RE'S ONLY PALE FLECK$ DIRT1 LIT BRI<T :]E SUNLI<T'S WRUNG BETWE5 ! RO( LOGS OV] :I* WE MAKE \R WAY N[1 PASS+ ON4 

',/OP H]E1' SAYS ,OLUN AS WE REA* ! MIDDLE ( ! BRIDGE1 & BIDS ME SET HIM D[N & SIT BESIDE HIS LITT] ON ! WETWORN LOGS1 ! WAT]S RO>+ UND] US4 ,! COLD /RIKES UP MY ASS4 ,WE DO NOT TALK ( MU*4 ,HE MAKES REM>K UPON MY FANCY-BEADS1 BLUE SP>KS HUNG ON !IR COPP] /R& AB\T MY ?ROAT1 & ASKS ME H[ !Y'RE MADE4 

,IT />TLES ME1 ! EASE ) :I* ?IS /OL5 TALE COMES TUMBL+ FROM MY LIPS3 ! S& FIRES1 SEAWE$ BANK$1 SE5 ?R\< ! %ORE FOGS1 BURN+4 ,M5 ) PUCK]$1 FLAME-SC>R$ H&S :O TIP ! ORE & CURSE IF IT %\LD SPLA%1 ! REEK ( S+E+ BE>D1 A SCOR*+ 9 ! LUNGS &1 AFT]W>DS1 ! GLAZ$ S&S ALL AB\T ! FURNACE HOLE MADE H>D1 %OT ?R\< ) BITT] JUICE ( KELP & BLADD]WRACK & COPP]$ BLUE4 ,MY WORDS P\R1 EF=TLESS1 & CONJURE TANGLE-HEAD$ BEA*GIRLS1 SKIRTS DAMP$ D>K AB\T ! HEM BY SURF1 ?AT PICK = SKYBEADS 9 ! FIRE-/RUCK DUNES1 AS IF !SE SI<TS >E EV] KN[N TO ME4 

,! OLD MAN NODS & SMILES & GAZES (F D[NRIV] :]E ! /ONE-GRE5 WAT]S B5D AWAY AMONG ! WE/]N NETTLE WA/ES4 ,A B>K-BOAT BREA/S ! CURR5T !RE1 TWO M5 :OSE %\LD]S ROIL & :EEL AB\T !IR PADDLE BLADES1 A GLITT]$ SPRAY EA* TIME !SE CUT ! FRO?+ SWELL4 ,!Y LEAN 9TO A TURN+ MASK$ ) TREES1 >E GONE4 

,(F ON MY RI<T A MAN CALLS TO ANO!R1 LEAD+ ME TO TURN MY HEAD & LOOK AB\T4 ,UP BY ! BRIDGE'S F>MO/ 5D !RE'S SOMEONE CR\*$ TO SQU9T 9TO ! BELL$ & R++ HOLL[ UND]NEA? ITS >*1 :]E FRAY-$G$ WAT]-%AD[S %OAL TO =M A <O/ BRIDGE1 TOP-SIDE D[N BEL[ ! BLURR+ TORR5T4 

,N[ ! FIGURE /&S1 A GRAY1 POT-BELLI$ MAN1 & CALLS AGA9 TO SOME FEW FELL[S :O >E SITT+ %>+ BREAD JU/ UP SLOPE FROM ! RIV]'S $GE4 ,!Y CALL BACK TO ! MAN BESIDE ! BRIDGE & SEEM TO LAU< AT HIM4 ,HE SPEAKS AGA9 & MAKES A SIGN T[>DS ! HIDD5 %ALL[S ( ! UND]SPAN4 ,ONE ( ! FEA/]S PASSES ON HIS BREAD & /&S1 RUNS /UMBLE-FOOT$ D[N ! BANK TO JO9 ! O!R BY ! BRIDGE1 :]E BO? N[ /OOP TO PE]4 ,MORE %\TS4 ,ANO!R MAN TRIPS D[N ! SLOPE TO /& ) !M1 & YET ONE MORE4 

,IT IS SOME GAME !Y PLAY TO PUT ASIDE = N[ !IR SLOG AMONG ! DIT*ES & FIELDS1 :I* IS NO GREAT CONC]N TO ME4 ,MY GAZE TURNS BACK UPON ! OLD MAN1 H\ND-CLAD ON HIS BI]4 ,SIDE-$G$ TO ME1 HIS SKULL IS R\ND & BEAK$1 A GRAY %AV$ BIRD4 ,! EYE ?AT'S NE>E/ ME />ES 9TO NO?+NESS1 ITS SOCKET POOL FROZE :ITE 9 ,OLUN'S W9T]4 ,ON HIS LEA!R *EEK1 A PAT*5 /OLE ( COLOR$ SC>S4 

,HE ASKS AB\T MY BEADS3 ,IT MAY BE ?AT HE WAITS = ME TO ASK ( HIS TATTOOS4 

',!SE M>K+S ?AT Y\ HAVE >E ( A /YLE ?AT IS NOT KN[N TO ME4 ,IT SEEMS !Y HAVE NOT RHYME1 NOR A DEVICE4' 

,HE TURNS HIS CORPSE-BIRD SKULL ?AT HE MAY SEE ME ) HIS GOOD EYE1 SUCK+ 9 ! AIR TO SPEAK4 ,HIS BREA?1 W>M GAME ?AT'S HUNG TOO LONG1 BLA/S /ALE AGA9/ MY FACE & MAKES ME FL9* AWAY4 

',OH1 !Y HAVE A DEVICE1 GIRL1 & A RHYME4 ,DON'T Y\ ?9K O!RWISE4 ,!Y >E MY CR[ DESIGNS4' 

,HIS CR[ DESIGNS8 ,! WORM-BLUE MOTTLE ( HIS %\LD]1 B[L9$ R$ FROM NIPPLE BACK ACROSS TO SP9E8 ,HIS FIRMAM5T SKULL1 SCRIBBL$ J[L1 F]N-CORN]$ LIPS8 ,!RE'S NO?+ H]E ?AT'S ( A LIKE TO CR[ OR BIRD ( ANY K9D4 ,:AT IS HIS MEAN+8 

,LIFT+ UP MY GAZE FROM \T ?IS SK9 MAZE1 BACK TO MEET HIS [N & FUR!R QUE/ION HIM1 IT SEEMS ?AT HE =GETS ME4 ,/>+ PA/ MY %\LD] TO ! BRIDGE'S NOR!RN 5D1 ONLY HIS DEAD EYE LI<TS ON M9E1 LOOKS ?R\< & \T ! O!R SIDE1 :I* MAKES ME %IV] ) A NOTION ( NOT BE+ H]E4 ,IT'S PLA9 ?AT HE IS LOOK+ H>D AT SOME?+ (F BEH9D ME4 ,GLANCE AB\T1 TO SEE IT = MYSELF4 

,! M5 /& 9 ! %ALL[S1 WAD+ ?I< DEEP AS !Y GANG AB\T B5EA? ! BRIDGE4 ,!Y REA* ) /ICKS TO HOOK \T SOME?+ LODG$ !RE2 YELL LIKE BOYS1 EXCIT$1 TO EA* O!R AS !Y POKE & SPLA% & HEAVE3 ,GO C>EFUL4 ,H]E1 WAT* \T4 ,IT'S COM+4 ,H]E IT COMES 444 

,BIG4 ,GRAY & BOBB+1 WAT] MEAT4 ,! Y\NG M5 CR[D AB\T4 ,A GAS-BL[N CALF ?AT'S TAK5 BY ! FLOOD1 OR 4448 

,A SUDD5 ?\<T'S COME 9TO ME4 ,! Y\NG M5 GRASP ! CREATURE FA/ B5EA? ITS >MS & DRAW A SILV] FURR[ TO ! BANK1 :]E IT IS HAUL$ UP /REAM+1 FLOPP$ \T B>E & HEAVY ON ! GRASS ?AT WE MAY SEE IT PROP]LY4 

,OH NO4 
,BOIL$ FI% H] BREA/S4 ,WE$-TONGU$ & />+4 ,:Y IS %E NOT HALF-WAY \T TO SEA BY N[1 C\*$ TO H] RIBS 9 SILT OR /RANGL$ 9 ! CRABNETS1 SOPP+1 LY+ /ILL AMONG A SPRAWL ( SEV]$ H&S ?AT WRI! & GE/URE YET8 ,H[ IS IT1 DEAD1 %E HAS ! WIT TO /OP H]E AT ! PLACE %E SEEKS :ILE %E'S YET QUICK & W>M8 ,H[ MAY ! DEAD HAVE DE/9ATIONS8 ,TRICKL+ M\?4 ,LEE* RIDD51 PHLEGM-BLACK JEWELS ?AT CL+ UPON H] 9/EP !RE4 

,!Y DO NOT KN[ H]1 DO !Y8 ,NOR ! OLD MAN4 ,%E IS NOT COME H]E BE=E4 ,WEIR-C>RION1 ?AT'S ALL %E IS4 ,A POOR ?+ RIV]-BORN & FI%-M\!D AT ! ?ROAT1 DONE 91 BUT NO ONE'S DAU<T]4 ,US94 ,?AT IS MY NAME N[1 & H]S IS WA%$ AWAY ) ALL H] BLOOD & COLOR4 ,ROTT$ TIDE-FRUIT1 B>E & NAMELESS1 FL\ND]$ 9 ! /RIPES ( SCUM ?AT M>K ! WAT]'S HI<E/ REA*1 %E IS NOT ANYONE'S CONC]N4 ,! B$/REAM'S RIPPLE-S&S >E COPI$1 SOAK$ 9 REPLICA UPON H] LOGG$ & RUNNELL$ SK94 ,CAVE-NOS$1 & ONE *EEK HOL$ BY /ICKLEBACKS4 
,! OLD MAN BIDS ME LIFT HIM1 PULL HIS /ICK-WR\<T B$ ACROSS ! CAUSEWAY$ TRUNKS TO :]E ! WILLE9S GA!R1 D[N BESIDE ITS F>MO/ 5D4 ,LEGS BRI/L$ TO ! WAD+ L9E ) JEWELS ( WET1 ! D[N R+$ 9TO HOOKS & COILS1 !Y /& AS /ILL AS HEEL-/ONES ALL AB\T ! /ILL] YET4 

,HE>+ ! RACKET ( ! LITT] DRAW+ NE> ACROSS ! WOOD1 ! M5 LOOK UP1 MAKE FR[NS AT ME YET WIPE !M (F :5 !Y SEE :O IT IS DRAGG$ H]E BEH9D ME4 ,OLUN LIFTS HIS HEAD FROM (F ! BI] & CRANES TO OV]LOOK !M1 /&+ CLOS$ AB\T ! CORPSE4 ,! BUBBLE-GUTT$ MAN :O SEES ! BODY FIR/ BEL[ ! BRIDGE T\*ES ONE F+] TO HIS BR[ & MUTT]S1 ',GOOD LUCK TO ! ,HOB1' !N LOOKS AWAY FROM ,OLUN1 />+ AT ! GRASS AS IF AFRAID4 ,! O!R M5 DO LIKEWISE4 ,:AT IS !RE TO FE> AB\T ?IS PA9T$ BAG ( /ICKS8 ,& YET !Y %UFFLE !RE BEL[ US ON ! RIV] BANK & WAIT = HIM TO SPEAK4 

',?IS MORN+ !RE IS BLE$+ 9 MY /OOL1 :I* TELLS ( TR\BLE AT ! BRIDGE1 & BR+S ME H]E4' 

,! M5 LOOK TO EA* O!R1 SC>$ & M>VEL/RUCK ?AT ?IS EV5T IS KN[N TO ,OLUN LONG BE=E !Y ?9K TO PE] B5EA? ! %AD[$ >*4 ,! LAU<T] *OKES & BUBBLES 9 MY NOSE3 IF ALL HIS TRIBE >E %IT-WITS SU* AS !SE1 IT IS NO WOND] ,OLUN'S ?\<T ! CUNN+-MAN4 ,?IS V]Y MORN HE LETS ME DRAG HIM LEAGUES1 YET MAKES NO M5TION ( ?IS OM5 GIV5 FROM HIS B[EL1 ! CROOK-TONGU$ LITTLE FI5D4 ,IT COMES TO ME HE LIVES BY GULL+ LACK>DS1 & 9 TRU? WE >E ONE K9D4 ,:Y1 HE MI<T NE>LY BE MY FA!R1 ALL ?+S SAID4 

,! MAN SO FAT HE LOOKS ) *ILD N[ WAVES ONE H& T[>DS ! ?ROAT-CUT WOMAN AT HIS FEET4 

',WELL1 H]E'S ! REASON TO Y\R SIGN4 ,WE F9D H] UND]NEA? ! BRIDGE1 BR\<T UP AGA9/ ! BEAV] DAMS4' 

,BY ALL ! M>K+S1 !RE'S ! :Y ( IT6 ,!RE'S :Y %E IS NOT BY N[ DANC$ HALF-WAY TO ,HOTL& 9 ! UND]T[ OR PECK$ CLEAN ON A REEF ( CRU/$ SALT3 ! BRIDGE IS BUILT UPON ! BACKS ( BEAV] DAMS6 ,! FAT MAN FALLS AGA9 TO SIL5CE1 WAITS ONCE MORE = ,OLUN TO GIVE VOICE1 HIS FELL[S HULK+ RE/LESS BY HIS SIDE4 

,N[ ,OLUN DOES A QUE] & FRI<T5+ ?+4 ,HE %UTS ONE GAUDY LID ACROSS HIS SI<T$ EYE1 SO ?AT ! :ITE-YOLK$ BL9D ONE SEEMS TO />E UPON ! SPRADDL+ GIRL MEAT1 COLD AMONG ! WE$S4 

',H] ?ROAT IS CUT4 ,H] E> IS GONE1 & LIKE TO ?IS H] ?UMB4' 

,IT'S PLA9 ! OLD MAN NOTES !SE ?+S BE=E HE %UTS HIS ONE GOOD EYE1 YET /ILL IT MAKES A WEIRD TO SEE HIM TAKE H] MEASURE ) HIS DEADSI<T ONLY4 ,MUMM]Y & NO?+ MORE1 YET NO LESS HACKL+ = ?AT4 

',%E'S ?R[N 9TO ! RIV] LA/ ( ALL1 = IT IS ONLY REASON ?AT H] GULLET'S SLIT BE=E4 ,ALIKE TO ?IS1 ! TORTURE ( ! E> & ?UMB MAY NOT COME AFT] %E IS DEAD1 SO MU/ BE SUFF]$ FIR/ ( ALL4 ,%E IS NOT CUT = SPORT1 = :Y !N /OP ) BUT ONE E>1 ONE ?UMB8 ,!SE CRUELTIES >E ) PURPOSE1 & ) PURPOSE S]V$ >E FOLL[$ SWIFTLY BY ! KILL4 ,SOME:]E UP RIV]1 NOT A DAY S9CE GONE4' 

,NO1 IT IS NOT ! SL[NESS ( HIS TRIBE ALONE ?AT MAKES HIM SEEM MORE CUNN+4 ,H]E IS CLEV]4 ,H]E IS CLEV] DEEP 5\< TO DR[N 94 ,LOOK+ D[N1 IT TAKES MY NOTICE ?AT ! WOMAN'S NECK IS B&$ BY A /A91 MOLD-GRE54 ,IT IS NOT !RE :5 %E'S ?R[N TO ! RIV]1 SAVE IT'S HIDD5 'NEA? ! BLOOD S9CE SLUIC$ AWAY4 

',SEE ?AT %E IS NOT MOV$4 ,WE GO TO TELL ! R\NDH\SE :AT IS H]E4' 

,) ?IS1 HE BIDS ME LUG HIM BACK ACROSS ! RIV]1 JUDD]+ D[N ! BRIDGE'S S\!RN SLOPE1 & N[ ALONG ! BALD$ TURF ?AT RIBBONS BY ! WAT]SIDE4 ,BACK PA/ ! M>%-POND :ITE ) RU%1 ITS ISL& ) A FIREWOOD CR[N :]EBY ! UNHAIR$ BOYS BASK NAK$1 BELLY D[N ON SUN-COOK$ ROCK4 ,ATOP HIS PYRE !IR RAG-*ILD SITS1 HIS /RAW HEAD TIPP$ UPON ONE SIDE1 REG>D+ US AS WE PASS ON1 ?\< YET )\T A FACE4 ,! SAME LEAVES RISE1 A DRY GOLD SPLA% AB\T MY HEEL4 

,! SIL5CE HOLDS 'TIL WE >E NE> TO HALF-WAY HOME1 :]EON MY QUE/ION MAY NO LONG] GO UNASK$4 

',:AT HAPP5S N[1 AB\T ?AT POOR KILL$ WOMAN8' ,LI<TLY SPOK51 ?IS1 & S\ND+ FREE ( C>E4 

,HIS VOICE COMES BACK ABOVE ! CREAK & CRACKLE ( HIS BI]1 A :ISP] FROM ! BLAZE4 

',OH1 NO?+ MU* TO SPEAK4 ,! RIV] BR+S US MATT]S LIKE TO ?IS FROM :ILE TO :ILE4 ,ALL NATURE ( OCCURR5CES TAKE PLACE AMONG ! PASSES NOR?1 !IR REMNANTS FET*$ UP H]E3 UNWANT$ NEWBORNS1 OX5 ) TOO MANY EYES1 OR ! 5CUMB]+ OLD4 ,SAV+ = IF !Y HAVE ! M>K ( PLAGUE WE PUT !M TO ! E>? )9 A DAY1 ) FL[]S (F]$ 9 ! /EAD ( GOODS4 ,?AT IS ! CU/OM H]E 444' 

,HE PAUSES4 ,ON ! EA/ W9D COMES A WAIL1 AS FROM F> (F4 ,BE=E ME1 TURN+ TO LOOK1 /RET* ! SODD5 FIELDS & !N ! HILL1 ITS SUMMIT W\ND AB\T ) SMOKES4 ,! T9Y FIGURES FL+ !IR >MS UP1 KE5+ 9 ! DI/ANCE4 

',AL?\< !RE >E SOME :O WI% IT O!RWISE1' ! CUNN+-MAN CONCLUDES1 & WE GO ON FROM !RE TO COME AT LA/ UPON ! BRACK5-=TRESS$ SETTLEM5T4 ,!RE ,OLUN TELLS ! GATEMAN1 ) HIS BAT H&S FLAPP+ BLACK1 AB\T ! MURD]$ WOMAN BY ! BRIDGE1 & BIDS HIM PASS ALONG ! /ORY4 

',GOOD LUCK TO ! ,HOB1' SAY ALL ! WILLE9S AS WE GROOVE ! DIRT BETWE5 !M1 DRAGG+ BACK TO ,OLUN'S DWELL+4 ',GOOD LUCK TO ! ,HOB4' 

,IT COMES UPON ME N[ ?AT !Y >E SPEAK+ TO ! BO? ( US4 
,NO4 ,NO1 NOT ME4 ,TO BE A ,HOB-WIFE IS NO LOT = ME1 ! TIRESOME LE>N+ ( EA* *ANT1 A HUT Y\ MAY NOT MOVE )9 = ALL ! TOK5S S9I/]4 ,TO KN[ EA* DUTY & EA* C]EMONY1 DRESS+ 9 A ROBE ( FACES4 ,NO4 

,NOR IS ! ?\<T ( WA/+ MOONS :ILE LE>N+ ALL ! OLD MAN'S MUMM]Y A PLEAS+ ONE4 ,!RE IS NO SAY+ H[ LONG IT MAY BE BE=E HE DIES4 ,IT'S UP TO ME TO F9D SOME QUICK] WAY ( WORM+ \T HIS SECRETS4 

,H]E'S A ?+3 ?\< HE CA/S (F HIS SON & HAS NO LOVE = HIM1 IT MAY BE ?AT ! SON HAS KN[L$GE ( ! FA!R'S WAYS4 ,AYE4 ,AYE1 ?AT'S NEATLY ?\<T1 ?AT IT MAY BE AS WELL TO PAY A VISIT TO MY BRO!R ,G>N BE=E ! %AD[S GR[ MU* LONG]4 ,HE MAY TELL ME ( ! TUNNELS ?AT HIS FA!R WALKS 9 DOG-DREAMS4 

,:AT >E DOG-DREAMS8 
,AFT] A :ILE1 BIG ,HURNA LUMB]S BACK TO ,OLUN'S HUT FROM H] DEVOTIONS ON ! HILL1 H] SLAB FACE FLU%$ ) BLOOD1 ALL BRI<T AFT] H] S+-SONG 9 ! SMOKE4 ,! OLD MAN TELLS H] %E IS LAZY1 & ?AT HE HAS NE$ = H] TO CAULK HIS SORES4 ',!Y'RE BAD TODAY1' HE GRUMBLES4 ',IT'S A LONG JOB ?AT Y\ HAVE4' 

,%E NODS1 )\T COMPLA9T1 & PULLS HIM FROM ! SUN & ?R\< ! CRAM ( *>M ?AT B\NDS HIS HUT4 ,LET H]E ALONE1 IT SEEMS ?AT N[ MAY BE A :ILE AS GOOD AS ANY = TO VISIT ) ! ,HOB-MAN'S SON4 ,HURNA IS TALK+ DEEP 9SIDE ! HUT1 /ILL TRY+ TO P]SUADE ! OLD MAN TO H] FAI? :ILE %E ATT5DS HIS WEALS4 ,SCRAPS ( !IR CONV]SE DRIFT \T PA/ ! SW+-WOODS HUNG TO ONE SIDE 9 ! DOORWAY !RE4 

',! WORLD IS MADE 9 FIRE1 :I* IS !REBY SUP]IOR1 & 5DS 9 FIRE AS ALL ! PROPHETS SAY4 ,! GRAVE-SOIL MAY BR+ PE/S & BLI<TS TO RACK ! LIV+1 & YET WE :O *OOSE ! BRI<T TRACK 9TO DREAM-:ILE LEAVE NO MIS]IES BEH9D4 ,ALL ?AT IS PURE )9 US RISES1 SAVE \R RESIDUE4 ,WE ?AT PROCLAIM ?IS CRE$ 444' & ON & ON1 H] VOICE FLAT AS ! MURMUR ( A HIVE4 ,IT IS A M>VEL H[ !SE GODLY BODIES MANAGE IT1 TO BE AT ONCE BO? MAD & DULL4 ,LET ME /EAL (F1 BETWE5 ! DOZ+ HUTS & LEAVE !M PRATTL+1 AWAY 9TO ! NOON4 
,!RE >E NO SPIRIT-WOM5 9 ! TREES1 !RE >E NO GODS BEL[ ! DIRT1 ELSE ?AT !Y BE AS DAFT AS ,HURNA4 ,PEOPLE ALL >E BORN ) NO MORE :Y TO IT ?AN SOME POOR SAGG+ FIELDGIRL %[S H] ASS (F 9 ! HI< WE$S1 & !RE'S SC>CELY BETT] REASON 9 ! DY+ ( US NEI!R4 ,:]E IS !RE A GOD ?AT /RIKES US D[N ) V5OM FROM A TRAMPL$ BEE8 ,:O PUTS US 9 ?IS PLACE !N FLOODS ! CROP ?AT !RE IS NOT 5\< TO FE$ US )2 DROPS A%ES FROM ! SKY & /RIKES \R CATTLE BL9D8 ,IF IT BE GODS1 !Y HAVE QUE] SPORT4 

,& YET 9 EV]Y WILLAGE !RE >E FAT-FAC$ LITTLE M5 & SICKLY GIRLS :O SC\RGE !MSELVES & FA/ TO PLEASE SOME SPIRIT-BE>1 OR ELSE A TREE !Y FANCY SPEAKS ) !M4 ,H[ CAN ! GODS DEM& />V$ RIBS & LA%-/RIP$ BACKS ABOVE ! SUFF]+S ?AT !Y ALREADY FA%ION = US8 ,IF WE 9 ?IS WORLD >E CRUEL BY H>% NECESSITY1 H[ MU* MORE WICK$ >E ! GODS :O WANT = NO?+ YET TORM5T US TO ! DEA?8 ,SU* ?+S !RE MAY NOT BE4 

,IT IS NOT GODS ?AT WELCOME US BEYOND ! GRAVE1 BUT ONLY WORMS4 
,SMALL *ILDR5 %RIEK & D>T BETWE5 ! WILLAGE HUTS1 :]E M5 SMOKE FI% ABOVE L[ FIRES & WOM5 FL9T AWAY ! LA/ FEW BLOODI$ SNOTS ( MEAT FROM (F ! WOOL-/RIPP$ HIDES4 ,!IR MO!RS *EW ! SK9 TO MAKE IT S(T4 ,! SQUEAL & B>K ( *ATT] EV]Y:]E4 ,AMONG ! CAULDRON /EAM A DOG LIMPS BY ! MOLD]$ PELVIS ( ANO!R FA/ BETWE5 ITS JAWS4 ,) EYES LIKE BILE IT WAT*ES ME WALK ON4 

,A GAUNT MAN MILL+ GRA9 UPON A FLAT-/ONE TELLS ME ,G>N HAS MADE HIS =GE UPON ! VALLEY'S EA/]N $GE1 ABOVE ! ,BEA/HILL4 ,?IS IS ALL ! WORSE = ME1 ?AT MY B>E FEET MU/ WALK AGA9 ?IS MORN+'S GREAT LONG R\ND1 BUT !RE IS NO?+ = IT1 & ! DAY IS W>M4 

,\TSIDE ! SETTLEM5T'S NOR? GATE1 A L>D ( M5 IS SETTL$ ?ICK AB\T ! B[L-RIM ( A FRE%-DUG PIT1 :]E9 AN E>?-BE>'S SET AGA9/ A BRACE ( DOGS4 ,ONE ( ! H\NDS IS NE> TO GUTT$1 SUND]$ BY ! E>?-BE>'S %OVEL PAW4 ,IT DRAGS ITS H9D LEGS 9 ! BLOODI$ DIRT & :9ES1 ITS PURPLES BULG+ ?R\< ! BELLY'S R5T4 

,! O!R DOG IS /RONG] & />V$ MAD1 TO SEE ITS EYES4 ,IT SNAPS & LUNGES1 SCORES A /ROKE ( P9K ACROSS ! :ITE /RIPE ( ITS ADV]S>Y'S BR[1 :I* TRICKLES D[N UNTIL ! E>?-BE> IS MADE BL9D 9 ITS [N JUICE4 ,! M5 AB\T ! HOLE CR[D 9 & LAU<1 SO ?AT A QUIV] RIPPLES ?R\< !IR S(T1 GRAY-SPID]$ TITS4 ,!Y *E]4 ,!Y FIDDLE ) !IR BALLS & DO NOT KN[ IT4 ,9 ! PIT1 N[ HIDD5 FROM ME BY A WALL ( W>T-HUNG BACKS1 ! E>?-BE> SCREAMS 9 TRIUMPH1 ELSE 9 AGONY4 

,CONT9U+ ALONG MY PA? ?AT W9DS \T FROM ! WILLAGE GATES ACROSS ! M>%1 ! TORSO OR*>D COMES UPON ME 9 ! BLU+ FLE% EV5 BE=E IT COMES UPON ME 9 MY ?\<TS4 

,!Y SEEM LIKE GIANT1 SEV]$ HEADS1 SEX-M\!D & NIPPLE-EY$1 EA* ) A PLUME ( MEAT-FLIES TRAIL+ 9 ! BREEZE4 ,ANT FRECKLES MOV+1 \T ! CORN] ( MY EYE4 ,DON'T LOOK4 ,WALK ON1 & /OP MY NOSE AGA9/ ! MAGGOT SWEETNESS 9 ! AIR4 

,ACROSS ! DAMPL& HULKS ! B>E-FLANK$ PILE !Y CALL ! ,BEA/HILL1 ) ! FIRES AB\T ITS TOP EXT+UI%$ N[1 ITS SILV] CR[N ( SMOKE DISP]S$1 ALL WAIL+ /ILL$4 ,ABOVE ?IS1 ON ! VALLEY'S EA/]N SLOPE1 A Y>N ( GRAY TWI/S UP ALONE ?R\< PAL+ SKY FROM \T ! COPP]MONG]'S =GE4 
,?IS IS ! LA/ AGE ( ! WORLD1 = WE >E COME AS F> N[ AS WE MAY ALONG \R PA? FROM :AT IS NATURAL4 ,WE H]D & P5 ! BEA/ ?AT'S BORN TO ROAM4 ,9 HUTS WE CL+ LIKE SNAIL%ELLS TO ! F5L& ?AT IT IS 9 \R GREAT-FA!RS' WAY TO /RIDE ACROSS & !N PASS BY4 ,WE COOK ! BLOOD FROM \T ! E>? & LET IT SCAB TO CR[NS & DAGG]S2 P\ND \R /RAI<T TRACK ?R\< ! CROOK$ FIELDS & TRADE ) BLACK-SK9S4 ,SOON1 ! OCEANS RISE & TAKE US4 ,SOON1 ! CRA%+ ( ! />S4 
,ACROSS ! REA*ES1 LU% & PUDDLE-SOR$2 ! B$S ( QUAK+ SPHAGNUM MOSS2 MIDGE ?UND]HEADS ABOVE A /REAM AS DULL AS T94 ,! MASSIVE WILD%EEP GRAZ+ ON ! L[] SLOPES REG>D ME FROM A DI/ANCE1 WAT* ME CIRCLE W>ILY AB\T !M & CONT9UE TO ! VALLEY'S BRIM1 UP TRACK BESIDE ! ,BEA/HILL'S NOR?MO/ FACE4 

,ABOVE ! HILL N[1 LOOK+ BACK4 ,! DIRT-WALLS R+$ ATOP IT1 SE5 BY DAYLI<T1 PLA9LY ONCE HOLD BEA/S )9 !M1 YET >E GIV5 TO ANO!R PURPOSE N[4 ,AMONG ! BANK$ UP R\NDS HUGE FL[]S ( SOOT >E SE>$ 9TO ! DIRT1 ! %AD[ PETALS FL>$ AB\T A GRAY & CRUMBL+ HE>T1 /ILL W>M4 ,!RE >E NO PEOPLE TO BE SE51 & SO MY CLIMB CONT9UES UP TO :]E ! TREES >E BURN$ AWAY TO /UMPS ALONG ! TORN SKY'S RAGG$ $GE4 ,TOO?-COLOR$ SMOKE IS RAVEL+ FROM ! =GE 9 TATT]S1 BRIEF & DIRTY FLAGS TO GUIDE ME !RE4 

,IT /&S ALONE1 ,G>N'S LONELY D51 AMONG ! UGLY1 *>-TOPP$ /UMPS2 ALL RO(1 ) WALLS SO L[ !Y H>DLY CAN BE SE5 B5EA? ! <O/-GRE5 CONE ( RU%4 ,! =GE IS DRY/ONE BUILT & CAULK$ ) MUD4 ,NECK HI<1 IT /&S \TSIDE ! HUT & BY IT SWELT]S ,G>N4 ,IT MU/ BE HE1 HIS EYES SO LIKE ! CUNN+-MAN'S1 & YET H[ DIFF]5T 9 HIS FRAME4 

,BA] TO ! MIDDLE ) AN APRON HUNG AB\T BEL[4 ,FAT1 YET ! FAT IS H>D1 SLABB$ ?ICK 9 B&S AB\T HIS R$ & GLI/5+ >MS1 HIS OAK-WIDE BREA/ ?AT DOES )\T A NECK BUT R\NDS DIRECTLY TO A BULL-OX HEAD4 ,HIS FEATURES SEEM TOO SMALL1 ALL CR[D$ 9 BETWE5 ?AT SPREAD ( BABE-SMOO? *EEK1 B5EA? ! DAMP & SWEEP+ BLANKNESS ( HIS BR[4 

,9 ONE HOCK FI/ HE GRASPS A CLEFT$ POLE ?AT HOLDS ! METAL TO BE WORK$ ABOVE ! COALS UNTIL IT COLORS LIKE ! DAWN+ SUN4 ,AT ?IS HE LIFTS IT1 G+] 9 HIS MOVEM5TS1 TO ! BEAT+ BLOCK :]E1 ) A HAMM]-/ONE1 HE P\NDS ITS CLE> & HE>TLIT O!RWORLDLY L5G? TO F9E LEAF ALL ALONG ONE $GE4 ,! HEFT & CLANG1 ! HEFT & CLANG1 A SUDD5 WA% ( SP>KS ALONG ) EV]Y BEAT1 ! S\ND MADE VISIBLE1 ?AT R+S \T BRI<T & !N %[]S DULL TO E>?4 

,& N[ ! BLADE IS QU5*$1 ?RU/ 9 AN OLD B>K TR\<1 MOSS P[D]$1 :]E ! WAT] C\<S BUT ONCE TO SWALL[ IT1 !N GASPS UP /EAM TO FUR!R BEAD ! COPP]MONG]'S J[L4 ,MAK+ MY WAY T[>DS HIM 9 AMONG ! FIRE-FELL$ WOODS ! FI]C5ESS ( HIS PURPOSE HU%ES ME & YET HE GLANCES UP & SQU9TS TO MAKE ME \T AGA9/ ! SUNLI<T AT MY BACK4 ,HIS *9 IS R\ND$1 LIKE A CRAB-APPLE ?AT BOBS HALF SUNK5 9 ! BILL[+ FLE%4 ,A SALT$ PE>L DRIPS FROM IT1 !N ANO!R1 & HE LIFTS ONE H& TO ?R[ A HALF-MASK ( COOL D>K ACROSS HIS EYES4 

',:AT DO Y\ WANT8' ,HIS VOICE IS M>VEL\S S(T TO COME FROM SU* A FURNACE-BRUTE :O SNORTS & CLAMORS 9 ! SP>K-BL[N FUMES4 

',>E Y\ NAM$ ,G>N8' 

,HE L[]S N[ HIS H& & TURNS BACK TO HIS =GE4 

',AYE1 ?AT'S MY NAME4 ,:AT DO Y\ WANT8' ,HE WORKS A BELL[S MADE FROM HORSE LUNG1 BR++ BACK ! COALS TO HEAT4 

',MY NAME IS ,US94 ,US9 ,OLUN'S DAU<T]4' 

,H]E1 ! BELL[S CAT* !IR BREA?1 >E SL[LY L[]$ FROM !IR TASK SO ?AT ! EMB]S COOL & FILM ACROSS ) MO?DU/4 ,N[ ! GREAT HEAD TURNS ONCE MORE T[>DS ME1 EYES GR[N N>R[ ) SUSPICION4 ,ILL AT EASE1 HE WIPES ! BACK ( ONE GREAT PAW ACROSS HIS LIPS & LEAVES A SME> ( BLACK FROM BEAK TO *94 ,! SIL5CE HOLDS A :ILE1 !RE 9 ! C9D]-GROVE1 & N[ ! SOOT$ CORN]S ( HIS BABE-PLUMP M\? BEG9 TO TURN UP1 RUEFULLY4 

',IT'S Y\ HE S5DS =1 IS IT1 :5 HE MAYN'T S5D = ME8 ,HE WANTS TO DUMP HIS LOAD ( C>CASSES & PA9T$ PICTURE-B>KS & ?AT ON Y\ N[1 DOES HE8 ,WELL1 GOOD LUCK TO HIM4' 

,HE TWI/S HIS FACE 9TO A SNE]1 TURN+ AWAY FROM ME1 & FURI\SLY WORKS HIS BELL[S4 ',GOOD LUCK TO ! ,HOB1' HE ADDS ACROSS HIS %\LD]1 :]EUPON HE SPITS A GOB ( BITT]NESS TO SIZZLE 9 ! GL[]+ COALS4 

',IS ?AT ALL Y\'VE TO SAY N[ TO Y\R SI/]8' ,MY WORDS /UMBLE SLI<TLY TO BETRAY MY C\RAGE1 FALT]+4 ,HE MAKES ME FRI<T5$ ) HIS SIZE & HIS F]OCITY4 

',MY SI/]8' ,HE DOES NOT LOOK R\ND1 BUT SQUEEZ+ HIS CONTRAPTION MADE ( M>E'S LI<TS ALL ! H>D]1 FANS ! EMB]S TO !IR NOON4 

',! OLD MAN CLAIMS ME AS NO SON ( HIS1 & = MY P>T HE IS NO ,DA ( M9E1 SO H[ !N MAY Y\ BE MY SI/]8 ,ALL ?AT Y\ >E AFT] IS ! OLD MAN'S TREASURE1 ELSE :Y >E Y\ COME H]E ALL ?IS WAY8 ,IT'S NOT AS IF Y\ C>E = HIM1 :O DOES NOT WI% TO SEE Y\ ALL ! :ILE S9CE Y\'RE A BABE4' 

,! BRI<TNESS ( ! COALS N[ PA9TS HIS >MS & BR[4 ,! BELL[S CEASE1 & H]E HE WADES A FEW SL[ PACES TO A /UMP NE>BY1 :]E LIE ! RAWCA/ L5G?S ( ORE1 ALL COLD & R\<4 ,HE DOES NOT LOOK AT ME ! :ILE1 BUT SPEAKS1 HIS M\?+S FULL ( GRUDGE4 

',IF Y\ DESIRE HIS WEAL? SO MU*1 !N HAVE IT4 ,IT IS TA9T$ /UFF1 ALL FULL ( FEV]S & QUE] NOTIONS4 ,MU* GOOD MAY IT BR+ Y\4 ,JU/ LEAVE ME ALONE TO DO MY WORK4 ,IT IS 5\< ?AT ALL MY GR[+ UP IS DONE !RE 9 ?AT CURSE-DRAP$ W>R5 ?AT HE CALLS A HUT1 SO DON'T Y\ BR+ ME ANY MORE ( IT4 ,IT'S BAD /UFF1 ?AT IS1 ALL ?AT CRAWL+ UND]GR\ND & TALK+ ) ! DEAD4 ,JU/ GIVE ME MY CLEAN ORE & LET ME BE4' 

,HE *OOSES N[ A BLEMI%$1 UGLY ROD ?AT'S COLOR$ LIKE ! LEAVES AB\T \R FEET1 RETURN+ ) IT TO HIS =GE4 

,MY PA? ( QUE/ION+ IS CLE>4 ',:AT'S ?IS ( CRAWL+ UND]GR\ND8 ,DO Y\1 ) Y\R [N EYES1 SEE ,OLUN DO !SE ?+S8' 

,G>N N[ TAKES UP HIS H&L+-POLE AGA91 TO W$GE ! +OT 9 ITS CLEFT4 ,HE TURNS HIS HEAD TO GL>E AT ME1 A SULK+ Y\? = ALL HIS FLE%1 !N LOOKS AWAY4 ,) HIS SPLIT W& HE ?RU/S ! ORE-/RIP DEEP )9 ! FURNACE M\? & HOLDS IT !RE4 

',:AT1 SEE HIM GO D[N HOLES OR 9TO HOLL[S8 ,>E Y\ MAD8 ,TO SEE ?OSE SECRET RUNS IS NOT ALL[$ SAVE Y\'RE A CUNN+-MAN4 ,?AT'S :]E !IR TREASURE'S KEPT1 Y\ KN[1 & ALL ! BONES ( ,HOB & ,HOB-WIFE GONE4' 

,HE SMILES AB\T AT ME1 & HAS A KN[+ LOOK1 HIS VOICE GR[N L[ AS ?AT BETWE5 ONE PLOTT] & ANO!R ONE ALIKE4 

',BUT H]E'S ! TRICK3 Y\ MAY NOT KN[ A LITTLE ( HIS SECRET1 LE/ Y\ KN[ ! ALL ( IT4 ,TO KN[1 LIKE HIM1 EA* WE$-LO/ PA? & PASSAGE1 & ! NAME ( EV]Y FIELD4 ,TO KN[1 AS HE KN[S1 :5CE ! FLOODS >E COM+1 & :]E CATTLE-GRABB]S MAKE !IR SLY APPROA* OR HAVE !IR HIDE-AWAYS4 ,TO HAVE EA* TREE2 EA* ROCK2 LANES ?AT Y\ DO NOT WALK = YE>S1 ALL HELD )9 Y\R ?\<TS AT EV]Y MOM5T BY SOME R>E CRAFT ?AT NO COMMON MAN MAY FA?OM4 ,EV]Y WELL & FI%] BANK4 ,EA* TOMB & BURI$ LODE4' 

,?IS LA/ ONE PUZZLES ME4 ,AMONG ! COALS1 ,G>N'S B> IS TURN$ ! COLOR N[ ( OLD BLOOD1 N[ ( FRE%4 

',H[ IS IT BAD TO HAVE SU* KN[L$GE8 ,:Y1 ) Y\ A METAL-MONG]1 SURELY IT IS ALL ! BETT] ?AT Y\ HAVE A CUNN+ ( ! LODES & SEAMS8' 

,HE %AKES HIS HEAD4 ',IF ALL HIS WISDOM'S M9E !N METAL-MONG]+'S MY CRAFT NO MORE4 ,IF ALL HIS ?\<TS >E MY ?\<TS ALSO1 :Y1 !N HE IS ME & ME A ,HOB-MAN JU/ LIKE HIM1 LEFT HAV+ NO ?\<TS ( MY [N4 ,!SE ?\<TS1 !Y >E NOT EV5 HIS1 NOR YET HIS FA!R'S NOR HIS GREAT-SIRE'S4 ,!Y >E OLD AS HILLS1 !SE NOTIONS 9 HIM ?AT %APE EV]Y DE$ ( HIS & WORD4 ,IT IS AS IF ! OLD MAN & ! OLD M5 COME BE=E HIM >E ALL ONE1 ONE SELF1 ONE WAY ( SEE+1 S+LE & UNDY+ ?R\< ALL TIME4 ,IT IS NOT NATURAL4 

',MY WAY ( SEE+'S NOT ! SAME AS HIS1 NOR IS IT TO BE PUT ASIDE ?AT HIS OLD WAY 5DURES4 ,MY =GE1 MY FIRE1 MY KN[L$GE ( ! FAVOR+ HEATS & TEMP]S1 !SE >E ?+S TO FIT ! WORLD ?AT WE HAVE N[4 ,HIS D[S+ & HIS *ANT+ HAVE NO USE TO ME1 !Y GIVE ME BAD DREAMS /ILL1 & MAKE ME SET MYSELF AP>T FROM HIM & ALL HIS WORKS4 ,?IS HILL'S ! PLACE = ME4 ,IT HAS A FEEL AB\T IT ?AT IS RI<T = FURNACES1 & FIRE SITS WELL H]E4' 

,N[ ! METAL 9 ! =GE IS NE> TOO BRI<T TO LOOK UPON4 ,HE LIFTS IT \T ) CLOV5 POLE & TAKES IT TO ! BEAT+ BLOCK4 

',BUT SURELY1 Y\ NE$ NOT COME ALL ! WAY UP H]E TO GET AWAY FROM ONE OLD MAN :O MAY NOT WALK8 ,:Y NOT TAKE SOME:]E 9 ! WILLAGE1 NE>] TO Y\R TRADE8' 

,G>N /&S ) HAMM] RAIS$1 AB\T TO />T ONCE MORE ! SP>R[-SCATT]+ D91 BUT PAUSES1 LIFTS HIS HEAD TO />E AT ME ) EYES SO FILL$ ) SCORN & LOA?+ ?AT IT MAKES ME TAKE /EPS BACK AWAY FROM HIM4 

',LIVE 9 ! WILLAGE8 ,HA6 ,& H[ MAY ,OLUN BE ESCAP$ )9 ! WILLAGE8 ,>E Y\ LI/5+ TO ME NOT AT ALL8' 

,HE SPEAKS BETWE5 B>$ TEE?1 A HISS MU* %>P] ?AN ! QU5*+-TR\<3 ',HE IS ! WILLAGE4' 

,& ) ?IS HE TURNS AWAY4 ,! HAMM] LIFTS & FALLS4 ,ITS DEAF5+ *IME DISMISSES ME1 DRIV+ ME FROM ?AT *>COAL GLADE1 BACK TO ! PA? ?AT TWI/S BESIDE ! ,BEA/HILL1 D[N T[>DS ! VALLEY FLOOR4 ,DESC5D+1 9 ! F> S\?-WE/ ! SETTLEM5T MAY YET BE SE51 LONG %AD[ F+]+ ! FIELDS4 ,LATE AFT]NOON4 

,BEH9D ME1 GO+ D[N1 ! HAMM]+ GR[S FA9T4 ,ABOVE ! DI/ANT HUTS1 A PALL ( SMOKE4 
,UNEASE4 ,IT GNAWS 9 ME & YET ITS NAME MAY NOT BE SAID1 NOR :]E IT COMES FROM1 LIKE A L[ HORN S\ND+ 9 MY HE>T1 A COLD ?AT RIMES MY BLADD]4 ,IS !RE SOME?+ GO+ WRONG H]E8 
,BEA/HILL1 F5 & TORSOS4 ,F9ALLY1 ! WILLAGE GATES COME 9TO SI<T1 BUT ALL !REBY IS CLAMOR & COMMOTION4 ,SMOKE HANGS EV]Y:]E1 ?AT WREA!S ! S9K+ SUN & DR[NS ! SETTLEM5T 9 SMOLD]-LI<T2 GREAT *OK+ BANKS ?AT SEEM MORE MADE ( NOISE ?AN VAPOR1 CLOAK+ ! LAM5T ( <O/S1 ! Y[L ( UNSE5 BABES4 ,MY PACE GR[S FA/]1 RUNN+ N[ T[>DS ! WALL ( TANGL$ ?ORN & FUME4 

,! Y\NG MAN ) ! BIR?-/A9$ FACE LEANS FROM HIS GATEH\SE :5 HE HE>S ME CALL TO HIM4 

',:AT'S HAPP5+ H]E8 ,IS 444' ,N[ ! SMOKE BITES 9 MY ?ROAT & MAKES ME C\<1 UNABLE TO SPEAK MORE4 

,! TE>S GLEAM ON HIS MOTTL$ *EEK1 ?\< BORN ( GRIEF OR FROM A SMUT-/UNG EYE IS NOT = ME TO KN[4 

',A FIRE1 AMONG ! EA/]N B>NS4 ,IT'S \T N[4 ,NO ONE'S KILL$1 BUT !RE'S AS MANY HUTS AS CLAWS UPON AN [L'S LEG PUT TO A%4' 

,MAK+ MY WAY BETWE5 ! COIL+ DRIFTS1 ! VEILS FLAPP$ OP5 BY A BREEZE TO %[ ME N[ A WOMAN CR\*$ TO WIPE H] SOOT-BL9D 9FANT'S FACE1 OR N[ A PAIR ( M5 ?AT /& BESIDE A GUTT]+ RU91 MAK+ S\R JOKES ) ONE ANO!R4 

',Y\ SEE H[ \R ,DAD GETS \T ALL RI<T1 !N8' 

',AYE1 & ME HALF SET TO GRAB HIS LAZY ASS & DRAG HIM BACK4' 

,! VEIL DRIFTS BACK4 ,!Y LAU<1 & DO NOT SEE ME PASS !M BY4 

,BEYOND ! SETTLEM5T'S S\? REA* SETS ,OLUN'S HUT1 UNT\*$ BY FIRE NOR TR\BL$ MU* BY SMOKE BY REASON ( A S\?-WE/ W9D4 ,?IS SAME DRAFT BR+S ME N[ A NOISE ?AT QUICK5S ONCE AGA9 MY PACE4 ,OLUN IS SQUEAL+ L\D] ?AN ! GREAT BLACK SW9E :O RUN BE=E ! DEADGOD'S HUNT4 ,REA*+ ! HUT & MAK+ N[ MY WAY 9SIDE1 IT E*OES FROM ! AVALAN*E ( HEX & FOE-SK9 DRUMS1 A %RILL ?AT GUIDES ME ?R\< ! MORBID HUDDLES TO ! C5T] R\ND4 

,NAK$ UPON HIS BRACK5 B$ HE WRI!S & WEEPS1 ) ,HURNA KNELT BESIDE HIM1 MEAT-FAC$ AS %E DABS WET RAGS AB\T HIS BREA/1 HALF LI<T$ BY ! FIRE PIT4 

,/EPP+ NE>]1 CR\*+ N[ TO HAVE A CLOS] LOOK AT HIM1 IT'S CLE> HE HAS A MON/R\S BURN BEL[ ONE %RIVEL$ NIPPLE4 ,WEEP+ BLI/]S UDD] FROM ! SCOR*$ & GRITT$ FLE% AMONG ! TATTOO$ %ELL-CURLS1 HOOPS & SIGNS4 ,HE SQUEALS AGA91 !N S9KS TO FEV]-TALK4 

,%IFT+ MY GAZE TO ,HURNA N[1 :O MEETS IT ) H] [N1 ! /OLID EYES AS FLAT AS NAIL HEADS4 

',H[ IS ,OLUN BURN$8 ,! BLAZ+ 9 ! WILLAGE DOES NOT COME AS F> AS H]E4' 

,%E %RUGS H] PL[BOY %\LD]S1 GRUNT+ H] REPLY4 ',IT'S :5 ! FIRE />TS1 OV] 9 ! EA/]N HUTS1 BE=E !Y BR+ US NEWS ( IT4 ,Y\R FA!R YELLS & BIDS ME LOOK TO SEE1 & !RE IT IS UPON HIS *E/1 ?IS AWFUL BURN4' 

,%E WR+S A LITTLE SMIRK FROM \T BETWE5 H] R9D-?9 LIPS4 ',Y\ ASK ME1 IT'S A SIGN = HIM TO *ANGE HIS FAI?4' 

,! OLD MAN SCREAMS AGA94 
,IF FIRE BURNS A WILLAGE1 MAY ITS WELTS BE RAIS$ ON ONE :O ?9KS HE IS A WILLAGE8 ,DOES ! SMOKE GU/ FROM HIS LUNGS & FROM ! SETTL+'S N>R[ PA?S ALIKE8 ,A BLAZE = CUR+ FI% RUNS \T ( H& & HALF A LEAGUE AWAY A BREA/ YET BLI/]S 9 ITS HEAT8 ,NO4 ,SU* ?+S MAY NOT BE1 UNLESS ! FOOT/EPS ( \R DAYS >E E*O$ 9 HIS VE9S2 UNLESS IT IS ! PISS ( DOGS ON DI/ANT /UMPS ?AT YELL[S N[ HIS TOO?4 ,DO \R SKIES D>K5 IF HE %UTS HIS EYE1 \R BANKS BUR/ IF HE WETS HIS LITT] 9 ! NI<T8 ,?AT S\R-MEAT BREEZE ?AT WAFTS AMONG \R HUTS1 IS ?AT HIS BREA?8 ,& DOES ! DEAD GIRL BOB D[N/REAM ?R\< HIS 9TE/9E1 SO ?AT BLOOD CL\DS UP FROM :]E H] CORPSE-NAILS DR$GE ! SPONGE-S(T B$1 BR\<T UP AT LA/ AGA9/ ! LOG-DAM ( HIS FUNDAM5T8 

,NO4 ,NO1 IT MU/ BE ?AT ! OLD MAN BURNS HIMSELF1 UNLESS ?IS ,HURNA SE>S HIS BREA/ = SPORT4 ,IT'S ONE WAY OR ! O!R1 = A PLACE IT NOT A P]SON1 NOR IS !RE A SYMPA?Y 'TWIXT FLE% & FIELD4 

,WE DIE4 ,! TRACK 5DURES4 
,! %IFTS1 ! CRUMBLES & COLLAPSES B>ELY HE>D )9 ! DULL+ COALS >E ALL ?AT M>K ! PASS+ :ILES 9 ,OLUN'S HUT4 ,?AT1 & ! GRADUAL FAD+ ( ! OLD MAN'S PLA9T1 ! SL[+ ( HIS PA9$ CONTORTIONS 9TO BUT A TWIT*2 A %UDD] N[ & !N4 

,HIS MOANS COME S(T]3 NO LESS URG5T1 YET !Y S\ND AS IF !Y HAIL FROM FUR!R (F1 ! OLD MAN W&]+ LO/ AWAY FROM US1 HIS CRIES = HELP GR[N FA9T AS HE REC$ES D[N DUSK-PA?S WOV5 ?R\< ! QUE] & COMPLICAT$ WILLAGE ( HIS DREAMS4 ,NAK$ UPON ! B$ ( WEFT$ TWIG HE /ILLS2 HE SLEEPS4 

,SAT !RE TO EI!R SIDE ( HIM )9 \R CONE ( EMB]-LI<T1 BIG ,HURNA & MYSELF DO NOT HAVE MU* TO SAY4 ,WE %>E A B[L ( CURDS ) CRU/S TORN FROM A ?I< ( BREAD TO MAKE \R SOPS4 ,FROM ! SURR\ND+ /EEPS ( CURIO1 DEAD BIRDS OBS]VE US AS WE DIP & SLOP & WIPE \R *9S4 ,!IR EYES UNSETTLE ME1 FILL$ ) BLEAK KN[L$GE ( DEMISE4 

,ON F9I%+ H] BREAD & CURDS1 ,HURNA SITS SIL5T = A :ILE1 A /RANGE LOOK ON H] FACE UNTIL %E LOOSES A GREAT BEL* ?AT RUMBLES ON & ON LIKE TOADS 9 *ORUS4 ,SEEM+ MU* MORE SETTL$ AFT] ?IS1 %E'S QUICK TO />T ) TALK AB\T H] FAI? :ILE MAK+ \T %E WANTS TO TALK ( M9E4 

',Y\ HOLD ) ALL ?IS1 DO Y\8' ,H]E %E GE/URES TO ! TEET]+ /ALAGMITES ( DROSS ?AT /& AB\T US1 LEAN+ 9 LIKE BULLIES4 ,MY REPLY IS BUT TO %RUG1 :I* %E TAKES AS 5C\RAGEM5T2 AGREEM5T ) H] SIDE ( ?+S4 

',NO8 ,WELL1 Y\ DO NOT LOOK ! SORT = IT1 & !RE'S NO BLAM+ Y\ = ?AT4 ,DIRTY OLD NOTIONS1 ?AT IS ALL !Y >E1 & IT'S A LUCKY ?+ ?AT MO/ GOOD PEOPLE 9 !SE :ILES >E COME TO KN[ A BETT] WAY4' 

',OH8 ,& :AT WAY IS ?AT8' ,MY QUE/ION'S ASK$ ) LITTLE 9T]E/1 & YET %E SEIZES ON IT LIKE A H>E-LIPP$ MAN UPON A COMPLIM5T4 

',MY WAY4 ,MY PEOPLE'S WAY4 ,WE DO NOT HOLD ) GODS :O DWELL BEL[ ! E>? & !RE RECEIVE ! DEAD4 ,:Y E>? IS BUT ! L[E/ ( ! SPIRITS1 HAV+ WOOD & WAT]1 AIR & FIRE ALL ABOVE IT 9 !IR IMPORT4 ,E>? IS ?AT :I* WE MU/ RAISE \RSELVES ABOVE1 NOT PUT \RSELVES BEL[6 ,Y\NG ,G>N1 HE SEES ?AT WELL 5\<1 BUT ,OLUN DOES NOT LI/54' 

,H]E %E TILTS H] HEAD T[>DS ! OLD MAN1 TWIT*+ ON HIS BI] & NAK$ SAVE HIS L9ES & :ORLS1 HIS CR[ DESIGNS4 

',Y\R FA!R CL+S TO HIS OLD WAYS & PAYS NO HE$ TO REASON4 ,EV5 :5 WE TELL HIM ?AT :5 HE IS DEAD HE MAY RE/ 9 ! HE>TR+ !RE ON ,BEA/HILL1 URN$ ) QUE5S1 HE DOES NOT SEEM TO C>E4' 

,H] /UPID LITTLE EYES GR[ SLY4 

',IF Y\ TALK ) HIM1 IF Y\ TELL HIM ?AT \R WAY IS BE/ HE MAY ABIDE BY :AT Y\ SAY :]E HE WILL NOT PAY M9D TO ME OR ,G>N4' 

,IT ANG]S ME ?AT %E IS MAK+ PLOTS AGA9/ ! OLD MAN 9 ?IS WAY4 ,?AT'S M9E TO DO4 

,MY WORDS >E %>P4 ',IT MAKES NO DIFF]5CE TO ME :]E A MAN'S PUT :5 HE'S DEAD1 NOR WOMAN4 ,BURY !M !RE :]E !Y FALL1 OR 444' ,*ECK+ MYSELF %>PLY1 ON ! BR9K ( SAY+ ',?R[ !M 9 ! RIV]'1 MY QUICK WITS COME TO MY RESCUE JU/ 9 TIME3 '444 OR LEAVE !M HUNG \T = ! BIRDS4 ,IT MAY BE ?AT ?IS IS A ?+ ( GREAT CONC]N TO Y\ & ,OLUN1 BUT IT IS NOT ANY GREAT CONC]N ( M9E4 ,N[1 ALL ?IS TALK IS TIR+ ME4 ,MY B$ IS S(T1 MY FA!R'S SLEEP+ PEACEFULLY1 IT SEEMS1 & IT IS TIME TO MAKE MY RE/4 ,A QUIET NI<T TO Y\4' 

,LEAV+ H] SQUATT+ FI%-JAW$ BY ! BI]1 MAK+ MY WAY ?R\< DECORAT$ HANG+S TO MY SCRE5$-9 B$3 !RE IS A DEEP1 /ILL WELL ( FUR & COM=T WAIT+ = ME2 WAIT+ = MY BONES ?AT TIRE ) ALL ! WALK+ ( ! DAY4 ,UPON REMOV+ EV]Y?+ EXCEPT ! COPP] R+ :]E HANG MY FANCY-BEADS1 ! HIDES CLOSE OV] ME LIKE W>M1 D>K WAT]S4 ,S9K+4 ,S9K+ DEEP] 9 ! SWIRL+ BLACK4 
,A BIG DOG TURNS1 ITS GREAT EYES EMPTY SAVE A :ITE LIKE LI<TN+1 FI]CE & FLAMELESS BRI<TNESS ?AT MAY BURN AWAY ! WORLD4 ,H>% BRILLIANCE P\R+ FROM ITS M\? N[1 AS IT SPLAYS ! RAWNESS ( ITS JAW1 & LUNGES 444 
,SCREAM & SUNLI<T BO? AWAK5 ME1 SO MUDDL$ 9 MY R\S+ ?\<TS ?AT S\ND & %9+ SEEM TO BE ALL ( ONE P>T4 ,! SCREAM IS M9E1 CUT (F AS REALIZATION COMES UPON ME4 

,H[ IS MORN+ H]E SO QUICK8 ,IT SEEMS NO SOON] DO MY EYELIDS CLOSE ?AN !SE RUDE RAYS >E COME TO PRIZE !M OP51 /UCK ) S& & LA%ES ?\< !Y MAY BE4 ,A FOOD SMELL F9DS ME N[ %UCK+ (F MY NI<T-SK9S & PULL+ ON MY CLO!S4 ,! DREAM ?AT WOKE ME UP 9 SU* A FRI<T IS GONE1 = ALL MY EF=TS TO RECALL IT 9 MY ?\<TS4 ,AH1 WELL4 

,MY /OMA* GR[LS & BIDS ME RISE TO TRACE ! SKE9 ( COOK+-SC5T ?AT'S ?READ$ 9 BETWE5 ! DUMPS ( LORE & CURSE & KEEPSAKE4 ,:AT GREAT FEA/ DOES ,OLUN SET = ME ?IS MORN+8 ,MY H& %OVES BACK DOOR-WOODS ON !IR CREAK+ ROPE TO LET ME /EP )\T & VIEW MY MEAL4 

,! DEAD GIRL'S AT MY FEET1 /RET*$ \T & BELLY UP !RE 9 ! DU/ BE=E ! HUT4 ,A CL\DY-EY$ & GAZ+ ACCUSATION1 FACE EXPRESSIONLESS YET !RE'S A BLACK SMILE JU/ BEL[ H] *91 ABOVE ! SLIME-GRE5 /A9S ?AT /RANGLEM>K H] ?ROAT4 ,BLUE-:ITE4 ,A SUBTLE %9E1 A MOON9ESS AB\T ! SK94 ,H] BACK TEE?1 CL5*$ TOGE!R1 B>$ TO VISION BY ! FI%-HOLE 9 H] *EEK4 

,!RE ON ! CORPSE'S F> SIDE1 FAC+ ME1 ! HAG-QUE5'S R\<-BOYS1 ,B]N & ,BURI1 CR\* UPON !IR GLITT]+ HAUN*ES LIKE TO ONE MAN ) HIS %AD[ GIV5 FLE%1 BO? NAK$ SAVE = WILL-%EA?S MADE FROM HOLL[$ CATFI% ?AT />T BULGE-EY$ ) ! HORROR ( !IR PLI<T1 ! UGLY RIBBON$ M\?S AGAPE1 EXPOS+ YELL[$ SPIKES ( FANG4 ,!Y />E AT ME1 ! MOLD-CA/ BULLIES & !IR CATFI% ALL4 

,GLANC+ 9 PANIC FROM ! %AV5 R\<-BOYS TO ! DEAD GIRL SPRAWL$ BETWE5 US & !N BACK AGA91 MY EYE ALI<TS ON ,OLUN1 RE/+ ) HIS DREAM-DAUB$ & LOOSE-L>D$ FRAME PROPP$ BY ONE TATTOO$ ELB[ ON ! B$ ( /ICKS1 ?AT'S DRAWN UP RI<T BESIDE HIS MURD]$ *ILD4 ,?\< BETT] ?AN LA/ NI<T1 HE YET LOOKS SICK ) WEAKNESS1 WORSE BY F> ?AN HE HAS SEEM$ ( LATE4 ,UPON HIS BREA/ A DRESS+ MADE ( RAG & PLA/]$ MUD IS TI$ TO /EM ! WEEP+ ( A BURN ?AT SCORNS ALL S5SE1 & DOG-SK9 ROBES >E DRAP$ ACROSS HIS L[] HALF4 ,SOME WAY BEYOND HIM !RE IS ,HURNA1 LOOK+ PUT-ON AS %E /IRS A MESS ( FI% & MEAL ABOVE A /UTT]+ FIRE4 

,CRAN+ HIS ?ICK-/RUNG NECK TO PE] UP AT ME N[ ) ILL-MAT*$ EYES1 ! OLD MAN SPEAKS3 ',:Y DO Y\ SCREAM8 ,WE HE> IT RI<T \T H]E4' 

,! ?UDD+ ( MY HE>T /OPS ME FROM MAK+ S5SE ( :AT HE SAYS1 & PREV5TS AN ANSW]4 ,ALL ?AT'S 9 MY P[] TO DO IS GOGGLE AT ! PICTURE-HID$ WIT*-MAN & HIS RIV]-RADDL$ DAU<T] BO?4 

',:AT IS %E DO+ H]E8' ,?IS IS ! BE/ ?AT MAY BE SQUEEZ$ \T PA/ MY LIPS1 SET TI<T & BLOODLESS AS A RE9 UPON ! T]ROR WELL+ 9 ME4 

,OLUN LOOKS D[N AT ! COLD1 /ILL GIRL BESIDE HIM ) SURPRISE1 AS IF HE BUT ?IS MOM5T NOTICES %E'S !RE1 !N HE LOOKS BACK AT ME4 

',H]8 ,IT'S \R CU/OM TO 9SPECT ! UNKN[N DEAD = M>KS ( PLAGUE OR O!R SIGNS BE=E !Y'RE PUT TO RE/4 ,?IS IS ACCOMPLI%$ AT ! R\NDH\SE 9 ! USUAL WAY ( ?+S1 BUT BE+ SICK5$ BY MY BURN IT IS NOT 9 ME TO BE MOV$ ?AT F>1 SO ,B]N & ,BURI BR+ H] H]E4 ,SIT D[N & WAT*4 ,REMEMB] ?AT UPON MY DEA?1 !SE DUTIES PASS TO Y\1 ) MANY MORE BESIDE4' 

,:AT IS = ME TO DO BUT KNEEL AS HE DIRECTS ME8 ,BO? ! R\<-BOYS B>E !IR SUND]$ SMILE AT ME AS ,OLUN TURNS ONCE MORE TO HIS 9SPECTION ( ! GIRL4 ,MY SMILE IS FALT]+ 9 REPLY4 

,CLOS+ HIS GOOD EYE1 ,OLUN N[ REG>DS ! DEAD ?+ ) HIS BL9D & FRO/$ ORB ALONE4 ,ONE BRITTLE1 PA9T$ CLAW CREEPS \T TO CRAWL ACROSS H] BELLY1 COLD AS POLI%$ /ONE4 ,IT KNEADS & PROBES H] FLACCID BREA/S1 !N SCUTTLES FUR!R1 PA/ ! /RIPE ( GRE5 AB\T H] NECK1 TO L+] AT ! CAK$ LIPS ( ! GA% BEL[ H] JAW4 ,ONE F+] TRACES ?IS ALONG ITS L5G? & !N MOVES UP TO ROOTLE ?R\< ! HOLE GNAW$ 9 H] *EEK1 & TO C>ESS ! TUBE-%OT SCAB ( R$ :]E ONCE H] E> IS JO9$4 ,A %UDD] PASSES ?R\< ME :5 HE SPEAKS1 AL?\< IT IS NOT COLD CONSID]+ ! SEASON4 

',%E IS PULL$ FROM \T ! RIV] ONE DAY S9CE4 ,%E IS P]HAPS ANO!R DAY AFLOAT BE=E %E'S F\ND1 & SO IS KILL$ NOT F> UP RIV] NOR? ( H]E4 ,H] ?ROAT IS OP5$ BY A DAGG] OR A %ORT-BLADE KNIFE1 BO? %>P & H>D 5\< TO CUT ?R\< BONE1 AS 9 H] ?UMB4' 

,?\< !Y MAY SEE ME />+ H>D AWAY FROM !M1 ! BRO!RS ,B]N & ,BURI N[ BO? SPEAK TO ME 9 TURN1 & =CE ME TO LOOK UP4 

',IT SEEMS TO ME %E DIES ! DAY ?AT Y\ >RIVE4' ,!SE WORDS >E SPOK5 BY ! BRO!R ON ! LEFT4 ,HIS VOICE IS SL[ & DRAWL+1 FILL$ ) /RANGE AMUSEM5T1 ?\< HE DOES NOT SMILE OR CREASE HIS EYES AS HE SQUATS !RE REG>D+ ME ACROSS ! SLAU<T]$ WOMAN4 

',FROM ! NOR?4 ,>RIVE H]E FROM ! NOR?1 ! SAME AS H]4' 

,?IS IS ! O!R BRO!R SPEAK+1 ?\< 9 VOICE & MANN] !Y >E BO? ALIKE AS 9 !IR LOOKS4 ,:AT DO !Y WI% = ME TO SAY8 

,! LEFT-MO/ BRO!R SPEAKS AGA94 ',DO Y\ HE> ANY?+ ( ROBB]S 9 ! PASSES :ILE Y\ >E UPON ! TRACK8' 

,HALF-DR[N+ 9 MY FRI<T ( :AT !Y MAY SUSPECT1 ?IS NOTION IS A WELCOME RAFT TO CLUT* AT4 

',ROBB]S8 ,:Y1 Y\ MAY BE SURE ( IT6 ,! TRAVEL]S ?AT MEET ) ME !SE LA/ FEW DAYS UPON ! TRACK ALL TALK ( NO?+ ELSE4 ,A GREAT FI]CE B& ( M51 !Y SAY1 ?\< SPEAK+ = MYSELF IT SEEMS ! CUT-BAGS DO NOT %[ !MSELVES TO ME4 ,MY WAY H]E IS )\T EV5T4' 

,BO? BRO!RS PURSE !IR LIPS AT ONCE & !N NOD ?\<TFULLY4 

',A B& ( ROBB]S8' SAYS ! ONE UPON ! RI<T4 ',IT MAY BE SO4 ,SU* ?+S >E KN[N TO US4 ,Y\'RE LUCKY ?AT Y\ DO NOT MEET ) !M Y\RSELF4' 

',AYE1' ADDS ! BRO!R ON ! LEFT1 'CONSID]+ ?AT Y\ MU/ BE NOT MU* MORE ?AN A LEAGUE OR SO AWAY :5 %E IS MURD]$4 ,V]Y LUCKY4' 

,ALL ( US NOD GRAVELY H]E1 ACKN[L$G+ MY =TUNE1 & LET ,OLUN C>RY ON ) HIS 9VE/IGATION4 

,/ILL ) NO?+ BUT HIS BL9D EYE VISIBLE ! OLD MAN %IFTS HIS H& BACK D[N ! WOMAN'S DRIFT-MEAT BELLY TO EXPLORE ! CURL-F]N$ M\NT !RE AT H] =K4 ,HIS KN[+ F+]S SORT AMONGS ! COILS & R+LETS1 MOV+ !M ASIDE TO BETT] SEE ! COLD :ITE HILLOCK :5CE ?IS OV]GR[? IS SPRUNG4 

',!RE >E NO BRUISES4' ,H]E1 ! OLD MAN CLUCKS HIS TONGUE 9 DISAPPO9TM5T & A SUDD5 *ILL FALLS OV] ME3 HE DOES NOT MOVE ASIDE ! HAIR TO LOOK BE=E HE %UTS HIS SI<T$ EYE4 ,H[ MAY HE KN[ A BRUISE IS !RE OR NOT BY T\* ALONE8 ,! H& MOVES FUR!R D[N N[4 ,F+]S /RUGGL+ LIKE BL9D-WORMS CR[D 91 EAG] = ADMISSION TO H] RIGOR-N>R[$ AP]TURE1 & YET )\T AVAIL4 ,! FRAIL & PA9T$ H& )DRAWS4 ,! WIT*-MAN SPEAKS4 

',H] GILL-CAUL IS UNBROK54' 

,H]E ! R\<-BOYS BO? LOOK UP AT ,OLUN ) ! SAME FR[N DRAW+ TI<T !IR %AV5 BR[S4 

',%E IS NOT %ANK$ BY =CE1 !N8' ,BURI SAYS1 OR ,B]N4 

',!RE'S QUE] N[1' ,B]N COMES BACK1 OR ,BURI4 ',%E'S A COMELY GIRL & IF %E'S TO BE ROBB$ & KILL$ !N :Y NOT %ANK H] FIR/8' 

,HE DOES NOT NE$ TO ADD ',?AT'S :AT WE'D DO1' = IT IS 9 HIS EYES4 ,9/EAD1 HIS FR[N GR[S DEEP &1 AFT] ?9K+ = A LITTLE :ILE1 HE V5TURES N[ HIS NEXT REM>K4 ',DOES %E HAVE POX8' 

,! OLD MAN %AKES HIS HEAD SO ?AT ! />S DESIGN$ !REON SWOOP WILDLY FROM !IR C\RSE4 

',NO POX4 ,NO M>K ( PLAGUE4 ,%E'S SAFE TO BURY4' ,H]E HE TURNS HIS FACE TO ME1 & %[S ME ALL ! PA9 & FATAL WEAKNESS GRAV5 9 ITS L9ES4 ,! OLD MAN'S NE>] TO HIS DEA? ?AN IS MY GUESS BE=E TODAY1 & HE DOES NOT YET TELL ME ( HIS TUNNELS OR HIS TREASURE HOLES4 

',US98' HE SAYS N[4 ',WE >E F9I%$ H]E4 ,Y\ MAY AS WELL GO TAKE Y\R FEA/ ) ,HURNA :ILE WE READY ?IS POOR *ILD = BURIAL4' 

,?\< ,HURNA IS NOT ANY FAVOR$ COMPANY ( M9E1 IT DOES NOT GRIEVE ME MU* TO DO AS ,OLUN SAYS1 SO GREAT IS MY RELIEF TO BE AWAY FROM !SE SAME-SEEM+ BRO!RS & ! CORPSE !Y PECK AB\T SO ?OR\<LY4 ,IT'S BITT]+ SC5T IS ALL AB\T ME1 WALK+ FROM ! HUT TO :]E ! D\R1 GOD-MUDDL$ WOMAN CR\*ES BY H] FIRE & %APES ! FI%-MEAL 9TO FLAT GRAY CAKES4 

,%E PASSES ONE TO ME ?AT'S LIKE A HALF-=M$ ANIMAL1 SO HORRIBLE IT IS SQUA%$ FLAT B5EA? A ROCK AT BIR?4 ,WE DO NOT SPEAK1 /ILL ?\<TFUL ( ! WORDS ?AT PASS BETWE5 US ?IS LA/ NI<T4 ,! DEAD GIRL'S SMELL IS EV]Y:]E AB\T MY HAIR & CLO?+1 & MY APPETITE IS POOR4 ,EA* M\?FUL ( ! FI%-MEAL CAKE TAKES ME ?AT LONG TO *EW IT IS NOT 9 ME = TO F9I% MORE ?AN HALF ( IT4 

,%IFT+ MY GAZE FROM ,HURNA TO ! GR\P BE=E ! HUT4 ,IT SEEMS ! BULLY BRO!RS >E EMPLOY$ 9 ROLL+ UP ! CORPSE )9 A DRAB1 SOIL-COLOR$ SAIL ( CLO?1 ! OLD MAN LOOK+ ON AS HE RE/S !RE BESIDE !M ON HIS BI]4 ,AB\T TO W9D ! %R\D AB\T H] HEAD1 ONE ( ! R\<-BOYS PO9TS T[>DS ! /RIPE ( BRI<T /UMP-WAT] GRE5 ?AT'S R+$ BEL[ H] OP5 ?ROAT4 ,HE MUTT]S SOME?+ TO HIS BRO!R1 !N TO ! OLD MAN1 :O NODS & MAKES REPLY1 TOO F> AWAY = ME TO HE> A WORD4 ,! BRO!RS %RUG1 & N[ CONT9UE 9 !IR DRESS+ ( ! DEAD4 

,BESIDE ME1 ,HURNA GIVES A SUDD5 SNORT AS IF TO M>K CONTEMPT4 ',HE NE$ NOT HOPE = ME TO DRAG HIM TO HIS FIL?Y RITE4 ,?AT'S UP TO Y\1 GIRL4 ,IT MAY S]VE Y\ WELL3 Y\'RE SURE TO PAY MORE HE$ ( H[ ! DEAD >E PUT TO RE/ IF Y\ MU/ MAKE ! LONG WALK TO !IR GRAVE Y\RSELF4' 

,%E LAU<S & MAKES H] TITS %AKE4 ,OV]HEAD A S+LE CR[ LOOKS D[N 9 PASS+ & CALLS ONCE1 AS IF AL]T+ US TO ! APPROA* ( SOME?+ ?AT MAY NOT BE SE5 SAVE FROM ?AT SO>+ VANTAGE4 ,CL\DS MASS ON ! WE/ HORIZON4 ,9 ! WILLAGE1 *ILDR5 *ASE A PA9T$ PIG BETWE5 ! HUTS1 N[ *E]+1 N[ COMPLA9+ AS ! FRI<T5$ CREATURE VE]S ?IS WAY & ?AT1 A GAUDY SME> ( COLOR /REAK$ AMONG ! B>NS & HORSE-Y>DS1 SQUEAK+4 ,:AT HOPE MAY !RE BE = ANY?+ SO %RILL & BRI<T8 ,NO HOPE4 ,NO HOPE AT ALL4 
,!RE IS A FE>FULNESS ?AT GA!RS WEI<T & =M )9 MY BELLY DAY BY DAY1 GR[N RE/LESS & UNEASY AS A COLD GRAY BABY TURN+ 9 MY WOMB4 ,Y\ MU/ BE GONE FROM H]E1 P>T ( ME TELLS MYSELF1 BE=E ANO!R DAWN IS COME TO F9D A DEAD GIRL PLAC$ BE=E Y\R DOOR4 ,LEAVE ) ! WOLF LI<T :5 !RE'S NO?+ SAVE ! BIRDS AWAKE2 /EAL (F BETWE5 ! SNOR+ HUTS & NEV] MORE RETURN4 ,IT IS NOT SAFE H]E4 ,!RE >E %AD[S ?AT LOOM BIG BEH9D EA* HAPP5/ANCE1 EA* *ANCE REM>K1 & MORE IS MEANT ?AN :AT IS SAID4 ,MOVE ON4 ,TAKE UP ! TRACK AGA9 & PUT !SE :ISP]+ HUDDLES AT Y\R BACK4 

,& N[ ANO!R P>T ( ME REPLIES3 ,Y\ CANNOT LEAVE1 IT SAYS1 & ?R[ AWAY ! ONLY *ANCE = EASE & WEAL? ?AT Y\ MAY EV] HAPP5 ON1 NOT :5 ! /9K ( IT'S SO CLOSE4 ,?9K ( ! TUNNELS ?AT MAY SNAKE1 GOLD FLOOD$1 H]E B5EA? Y\ AS Y\ SIT2 ! WELLS ( TREASURE DEEP 5\< TO DRAW FROM ALL Y\R DAYS4 ,>E Y\ A *ILD1 TO />T AT DREAMS BORN ( BAD CURDS Y\ EAT BE=E Y\R B$8 ,TO MEWL :5 !RE >E CREAK+S 9 ! D>K8 ,!SE NI<T FE>S MU/ NOT *EAT Y\ ( ! OLD MAN'S LEAV+S1 ?AT >E Y\RS BY RI<T4 ,/AY4 ,/AY & BIDE Y\R TIME1 & COME AT LA/ TO WE> A COLOR$ G[N & D9E ON FAT4 

,BUT :AT ( H]1 ! DEAD GIRL8 ,IF !Y F9D Y\ \T 444 

,DON'T PAY ?AT ANY HE$4 ,!RE'S NOT A ?+ TO =GE A L9K 9 TWIXT ( Y\ & %E4 ,:Y1 EV5 N[ ! R\<-BOYS1 LIKE AS B]RIES ON A MISSEL-SPRIG1 PREP>E A BI] ON :I* %E MAY BE HAUL$ TO BURIAL4 ,%E IS NOT LONG ABOVE ! GR\ND1 & :5 ! SOIL IS FALL5 ON H] FACE1 !N Y\ MAY PUT H] FROM Y\R ?\<TS4 

,BUT IF HIS DEAD EYE TRULY LOOKS UPON A WORLD WE MAY NOT SEE 444 

,ALL ?AT IS NO?+ SAVE = MUMM]Y4 ,PUT IT ASIDE & ?9K 9/EAD ( ,OLUN'S GOLD4 

,BUT 444 

,OH1 BE SIL5T1 BO? ( Y\4 ,!RE IS A FI%BONE LODG$ BETWE5 MY TEE?1 & OV] BY HIS HUT ! OLD MAN CALLS = ME TO DRAG HIM TO ! GRAVE FIELDS4 ,COM+1 FA!R4 ,COM+4 
,= A *ANGE1 ! J\RNEY IS NOT F>4 ,WE WALK S\? FROM ! SETTLEM5T1 ) ,B]N & ,BURI C>RY+ ! COLD & NAK$ BRIDE UPON H] HA/Y B$1 :ILE ME & ,OLUN SCRAPE ALONG BEH9D4 ,ABOVE US1 DEAD LEAVES RU/LE 9 GREAT MUTT]+ CR[DS UPON EA* YE>N+ B\<4 

,! GRAVE SITE SETS UPON A WE$-CLE>$ RISE ?AT'S HI<] ?AN ! PUDDL$ BOGL&S SOAK+ ALL AB\T4 ,! WOM5 FROM ! WILLAGE >E ALREADY GA!R$ !RE AS WE >RIVE4 ,!Y GLANCE UP1 SIL5T1 N>R[-EY$1 KNEEL+ SO TO SURR\ND A PLACE :]E ALL ! TURF IS SK9N$ AWAY1 ! E>?MEAT !RE BEL[ SCOOP$ \T & HEAP$ UP TO ONE SIDE AS IF ) TA9T1 A MAN-DEEP W\ND REVEAL$4 ,!Y CR\* AB\T ! GRAVE & BRAID A R+ ( FL[]-HEADS BETWE5 !IR MANY H&S4 

,! WOM5 P>T TO LET ! %AV5 BRO!RS & !IR LIFELESS BURD5 MOVE BETWE5 !M1 MAK+ HI< /EPS1 QUE] & DELICATE SO AS NOT TO DI/URB ! FLORAL BRAID4 ,ONCE BY ! GRAVESIDE1 ,B]N & ,BURI SET ! BI] UPON ! GRASS1 ONE ( !M CLAMB]+ D[N 9TO ! PIT TO TAKE ! BODY FROM ! O!R :O N[ LIFTS IT UP1 HIS F+]S CL5*+ 9 ! CURLS B5EA? H] >MS4 ,%E'S L[]$ ?US 9TO ! GRAVEM\?1 EYES /ILL OP51 />+ AT US 'TIL %E S9KS FROM SI<T 9 AWKW>D J]KS1 EA* LUR* & />T ACCOMPANI$ BY GRUNTS FROM ,B]N & ,BURI4 ,SETTL+ H] UPON ! GRAVEB$ N[ ! BULLY BOY CLIMBS UP TO JO9 HIS BRO!R BY ITS $GE4 ,CR[S :EEL ABOVE1 *>R$ FLAKES ( NOISE ?AT SCATT] & RE-=M AGA9/ AN EMPTY SKY4 

,! C]EMONY IS A DULL ?+ ) NO RISE OR FALL ( FEEL+1 NO RELIEF1 MADE FLATT] YET BY ?IS WAN1 UNEV5TFUL MORN+ LI<T3 ! GRAVEWORDS CALL$ 9 ,OLUN'S FAIL+ SNAKE-SK9 RASP1 EA* PHRASE CA/ UP BUT BRIEFLY ON ! %ORES ( SPEE* !N DRAGG$ BACK BY ! UND]T[ ( /RA9+ & COLLAPS+ BREA?2 ! WOM51 *ANT+ !IR RESPONSE LE>N$ LONG & H>D ABOVE ! HOLES ( MO!RS1 HUSB&S1 SONS1 N[ LAVI%$ ON A /RANG]2 ,B]N & ,BURI1 TAK+ UP AN E>?-AX1 ONE APIECE1 BE=E ! *ANT+'S OV]1 /&+ %IFT-FOOT ) IMPATI5CE TO REFILL ! HOLE & BE AWAY BACK TO !IR QUE51 !IR SUCKL+ PLACE4 

,! CALL & E*O ( ! BONE-*ANT DIES AWAY1 REPLAC$ BY O!R RHY?MS4 ,B]N & ,BURI1 EA* 9 TURN1 N[ /AMP AN E>?-AX DEEP )9 ! HILL ( SOIL DISC>D$ BY ! GRAVEM\?1 SCOOP+ UP ! DIRT UPON !IR BLADES TO %[] 9 ! DEAD GIRL'S EYES4 ,! GRIT-$G$ *OP & BITE1 ! RATTL+ LIFT & FL+1 AGA9 & YET AGA94 ,H] BODY LIES UNMOV+ 9 ?IS %>P1 DRY RA9 LIKE SOME AB&ON$ SETTLEM5T BACK 9 ! HI<L& NOR? FROM :I* ALL LIFE IS FL$1 SIL5T & /ILL B5EA? ! /EADY FALL ( A% & MUD ?AT COV]S N[ H] WR9KL$ TRACKS & BRI/L+ GORSE1 H] S9KS & \TCROPS ALL ]AS$4 ,! BREA/S & FACE ALONE REMA94 ,N[ NO?+ BUT H] JAW2 H] *94 ,%E'S GONE4 

,! GRAVE IS FILL$4 ,! WOM5 *ANT AGA91 & ,OLUN SCATT]S DOG TEE? ON ! DAMP1 UNTRODD5 M\ND4 ,! PETALS ( ! BRAID$ FL[]S BEG9 TO CURL & D>K54 ,EV]YONE GOES HOME1 ) ,B]N & ,BURI /RID+ (F 9 /EP ACROSS ! FIELDS1 ! WOM5 TRAIL+ AFT] !M ALL 9 ONE LONG UNRAVEL+ KNOT4 ,WE BUMP & JUDD] 9 !IR WAKE1 BUT SOON !Y >E TOO F> AWAY TO HAIL1 LEAV+ ME & ,OLUN TO \R [N COMPANY4 

',:Y DO Y\ SCATT] DOG TEE? ON H] GRAVE8' 

,MY QUE/ION IS PUT =W>D MORE TO BREAK ! DISMAL SIL5CE ( ! M>%ES ?AN FROM ANY GREAT DESIRE TO KN[ ITS ANSW]1 YET ! OLD MAN ANSW]S ANYWAY4 

',?AT SPIRIT-DOGS MAY KEEP H] SAFE1 & GUIDE H] ?R\< ! UND]PA?S 9TO ! WILLAGE ( ! DEAD4' ,HE SEEMS AB\T TO V5TURE MORE1 BUT N[ A DREADFUL C\<+ FALLS UPON HIM & HE MAY NOT SPEAK4 

',!RE'S NONE SAVE Y\ & DEAD M51 !N1 AS KN[ !SE UND]PA?S8' ,?IS IS MY NEXT 9QUIRY1 (F]$ ONCE HIS HAWK+ DIES AWAY4 

',?AT'S TRUE 5\<4 ,IT SEEMS Y\ MU/ HAVE ONE OR BO? FEET PLANT$ 9 ! UND]WORLD TO KN[ ITS W9D+S4' ,H]E HE LAU<S1 A BRITTLE NOISE ?AT'S ?ICK ) MUC\S1 V]Y LIKE ! CRU%+ ( A SNAIL4 ',EXCEPT OLD ,TUNNY4 ,HE KN[S EV]Y TURN+ ( ! PA?1 BUT ALL ! KN[+'S 9 HIS F+]S4 ,NONE ( IT IS 9 HIS HEAD4 ,HE 444' 

,H]E ! CUNN+-MAN BREAKS (F1 AS IF HE ?9KS IT BETT] NOT TO TELL ME MORE4 ,AT LEA/1 ?AT'S H[ IT SEEMS TO ME4 ,A MOM5T PASSES1 !N ANO!R4 ,!RE IS /ILL NO VOICE COME FROM BEH9D MY %\LD] :]E ! OLD MAN DRAGS1 !RE AT MY RE>4 ,TURN+ AB\T1 ! REASON = HIS QUIET IS PLA93 HIS EYES />T \T LIKE PA9T$ EGGS4 ,B5EA? ! CRAZ+ NET ( SIGNS ?AT M>K HIS FLE% ! SK9 IS TURN$ A SL[ & <O/LY BLUE4 

,NOT N[6 ,NOT N[ BE=E HE'S TOLD ME EV]Y?+6 ,DROPP+ ! BI] TO RUN1 MY SCREAMS AL]T ! SETTLEM5T BE=E MY FEET CAN BE> ME HALFWAY !RE4 ,\T FROM !IR HUTS !Y WADDLE1 SL[ AT FIR/ !N FA/] AS !Y SEE :O CALLS & UND]/& :AT MU/ BE HAPP5+4 ,!Y HURRY 9 A L9E T[>DS ME ?R\< ! LONG GRAY MEAD[-GRASS1 WIP+ !IR H&S UPON !IR COATS OR HIT*+ UP !IR LEGG+S AS !Y RUN4 

,HE'S /ILL ALIVE :5 WE GET BACK TO HIM1 SOME ( ! BLU5ESS FAD$ N[1 HIS BIRD-BREA/ SETTL$ BACK 9TO A LUR*+ RISE & FALL4 ,HE TRIES TO SPEAK AS ONE GREAT OX5-%\LD]$ MAN SCOOPS ,OLUN FROM ! PALLET UP 9TO HIS >MS TO C>RY LIKE A BABE4 ,HIS LIPS MOVE1 CR9KL+ !IR COLOR$ SC>S1 BUT NO WORDS COME4 ,ACROSS ! FIELD HE'S BORNE AMID ! BUZZ & :ISP] ( ! WILLAG]S ?AT CR[D AB\T HIM 9 A WAV]+ SW>M1 T[>DS ! F> HIVES ( ! SETTLEM5T1 ALREADY HUMM+ & ALIVE ) RUMOR & LAM5T4 
,B5EA? ! SOIL %E LIES1 H] YAWN PACK$ FULL ) E>?1 A DRY & BITT] LACE ( ROOT-HAIR SNAGG$ BETWE5 H] TEE?4 ,%E COMES H]E = H] FA!R'S LEAV+S1 CLOS] TO !M N[ ?AN ALL MY CLEV]NESS BR+S ME1 ) SECRET PA?S ( GOLD COIL$ ALL AB\T H] :ILE %E SLEEPS & /9KS & FALLS AP>T4 ,JEWEL$ GRAVEL LODG+ 9 BETWE5 H] TOES1 & *EW$ BY SILV] WORMS !RE 9 ! WA/$ TREASURE H\SES ( ! DEAD2 ! DEAD1 ALONE ( ALL ! WORLD 9 ?AT !Y HAVE NO GRE$S TO SATISFY1 NO FE>S TO SALVE OR NE$S !Y MU/ PLACATE4 ,!IR SOCKETS BRIM ) WEAL? MORE SPL5DID ?AN !IR LIV+ EYES MAY EV] KN[1 & IT CONC]NS !M NOT AT ALL4 ,MY BODY1 W>M & ANXI\S1 MOVES TO CRUD] DRUMS4 
,\TSIDE1 BEYOND ! CLUTT]+ /RANG5ESS ( ! OLD MAN'S HUT1 NOON COMES & GOES1 M>K$ BY ! SQUEALS ( PANIC DR[N$ 9 *ILDR5'S LAU<T] AS ! PA9T$ PIG IS KILL$1 (F NE> ! R\NDH\SE BY ! S\ND ( IT4 

,OLUN IS DY+4 ,SPRAWL$ !RE FAC+ ME ACROSS ! BURN$-\T EMB] PIT HE DOES NOT SEEM TO BREA! AT ALL1 BUT ONLY SI< FROM :ILE TO :ILE1 HIS BL9KLESS EYES FIX$ ON ME1 BL9D & SI<T$ BO?4 ,HE S9KS 9TO HIS DEA? & GR[S REMOTE1 UNANSW]+ = ALL MY URG5T QU]Y & DEM&4 

',PLEASE1 ,FA!R4 ,!RE'S SO LITTLE TIME & Y\ MU/ GIVE ME ALL Y\R LE>N+S4 ,TEA* ME4 ,TELL ME H[ TO BE A CUNN+ ONE LIKE Y\ BE=E DEA? DRAWS A CURTA9 9 BETWE5 US4' 

,OLUN SMILES1 A DREADFUL SPLITT+ ( ! PICTURE-B>K ?AT IS HIS FACE1 & TRIES TO SPEAK4 

',! CURTA9 444' ,H]E HE C\<S1 BREAKS (F1 RECOV]S1 />TS AGA94 ',! CURTA9'S TORN4 ,!RE IS A WAY WE MAY SPEAK ) ! DEAD & HAVE !IR LE>N+S4 ,PATI5CE1 DAU<T]4 ,PATI5CE4' 

,PATI5CE8 ,:AT IS ALL MY TOIL+2 DRAGG+2 ALL MY LI/5+ TO HIS DULL MUMBLES IF NOT PATI5CE8 

',H[1 !N8 ,H[ !N MAY Y\R LE>N+S COME TO ME IF Y\ >E DEAD8 ,PLEASE1 ,FA!R4 ,:Y NOT TELL ME N[1 :ILE !RE IS TIME8' 

,AGA9 ! SMILE1 ! DECORAT$ B>K PEEL$ BACK4 ',A TE/4 ,A F9AL TE/4 ,IF Y\'RE TO BE ! CUNN+ ONE !N Y\ MU/ LE>N TO HE> ! VOICE ( ?OSE ?AT BE> ! NAME BE=E Y\4 ,COME N[1 DAU<T]1 DO NOT LOOK AFRAID4 ,IT'S NOT SO H>D TO KN[ ! TEA*+S ( ! DEAD1 = ?OSE :OSE WITS >E QUICK & HAVE ! EYES TO SEE4' 

,MY M\? FALLS OP5 H]E TO MAKE COMPLA9T1 YET ,OLUN LIFTS ONE TREMBL+ H& TO /ILL MY PROTE/ ]E IT'S BORN4 

',LET'S TALK NO MORE ( ?IS1 = !RE'S ANO!R MATT]3 SOME?+ Y\ MU/ GIVE TO ME :ILE !RE'S YET BREA? )9 MY M\?4 ,SOME?+ ( Y\RS1 TO BE MY COM=T 9 ! TOMB4' 

,:AT'S ?IS8 ,HE MAKES NO HURRY PASS+ ON MY LEAV+S1 YET HE ASKS A GIFT ( ME8 ,MY TONGUE GR[S T>T1 AS IF ) BILE4 ',Y\ SAY ?AT WE MAY TALK :5 Y\ >E DEAD4 ,:AT NE$ IS !RE = COM=T MORE ?AN ?IS8' 

,HE %AKES HIS CON/ELLATION-SPATT]$ HEAD4 ',NO4 ,?\< MY VOICE MAY HAIL Y\ FROM BEYOND ! GRAVE1 IT DOES NOT WORK ! O!R WAY AB\T4 ,Y\ MAY NOT SPEAK ) ME1 ?\< !RE'S A WAY = ME TO SPEAK ) Y\4 ,MY NE$ IS = SOME TOK51 SOME POSSESSION ( MY DAU<T]'S = TO HOLD BESIDE ME 9 ! D>K & MAKE ME LESS ALONE4 ,IT IS \R CU/OM H]E4 ,:AT ( ?OSE BEADS AB\T Y\R ?ROAT8' 

,MY BE/ *ANCE SEEMS TO LIE 9 PLEAS+ ?IS OLD FOOL1 SO ?AT HE MAY REL5T & TELL ME ALL HE KN[S4 ,MAK+ NO ANSW] SAVE A %RUG1 MY H&S REA* UP BEH9D MY NECK TO FUMBLE ) ! KNOT ( COPP] WIRE ?AT HOLDS ! ?READ$ BEADS 9 PLACE4 ,MY F+]S WAGE A BRIEF1 BL9D /RUGGLE & ! HOOP ( H>D BLUE SP>KS LIFTS FREE1 HELD \T T[>DS ! OLD MAN ON HIS BI]4 

,HE DOES NOT TAKE ! BEADS1 NOR LOOK AT !M4 ,9/EAD1 HIS GAZE /ILL RE/S ) ME1 SEEMS FIX$ UPON MY *9 OR %\LD]S JU/ AS IF ! LOOP ( FANCY-BEADS /ILL DANGLES !RE4 ,AT LA/1 HIS EYES FALL TO ! GIFT ?AT'S HELD \T 9 MY H&4 ,REA*+1 HE TAKES IT FROM ME1 HOLDS IT TO HIS FACE & !N BEG9S TO WEEP4 

',MY DAU<T]4 ,OH1 MY DAU<T] 444' ,MORE TE>S FALL1 HIS WORDS SLURR$ TO A MOAN1 AN IDIOT SNUFFL+4 ,IT FILLS ME ) UNEASE TO SEE ?IS S(TNESS 9 HIS MANN]1 HE :O HOLDS A FRI<T5$ WILLAGE 9 HIS ?RALL4 ,TO ?9K IT BR+S SU* GRIEF UPON HIM1 JU/ TO P>T ) ME4 ,H[ DOES ?IS WORLD 5DURE1 IF ALL ITS SAGES >E SO WEAK8 

,HE LIFTS HIS HEAD & />ES ONCE MORE 9TO MY EYES & !RE IS SOME?+ FI]CE )9 HIS LOOK4 ,P]HAPS HE FEELS AN ANG] ) HIMSELF1 TO BAWL ?US LIKE A BABE BE=E HIS *ILD4 ,HE SPEAKS TO ME1 HIS VOICE GR[N FLAT & COLD4 ',S5D ,HURNA TO ME N[4 ,IT IS MY WI% TO SPEAK TO H] ALONE4' 

,!RE'S NO?+ = IT BUT TO DO HIS BIDD+4 ,PICK+ OV] HURDLES MADE FROM GAUDY W&S & CAPS ADORN$ ) FI%BONE1 MY WAY'S MADE FROM 9 ! HUT TO :]E ! D\<-FAC$ WOMAN SITS & T5DS H] COOK+ FIRES \TSIDE4 ,%E SEEMS SURPRIS$ AT BE+ SUMMON$ ?US &1 AFT] GAWP+ = A :ILE 9 DISBELIEF1 %E HURRIES ?R\< ! WOOD-/OPP$ DOOR TO BE BY ,OLUN'S SIDE4 

,SAT TIR$ & DISAPPO9T$ 9 ! DU/ ) BACK AGA9/ ! B>E-/RIPP$ WOOD5 WALLS MY VISION LI<TS UPON ! VIEW BETWE5 ! WILLAGE HUTS4 ,(F BY ! R\NDH\SE M5 ) KNIVES ( COPP] FLAY ! FACE FROM (F ! C>CASS ( A COLOR$ PIG4 ,MY EYES CLOSE1 %UTT+ \T A WORLD ?AT SWIFTLY MOVES BEYOND MY UND]/&+4 ,LURID %APES TRANSMOGRIFY & MELT AGA9/ A SCAB-?ICK D>K4 
,! R\ND$ WOODS /ILL PRESS 9TO MY BACK1 ! H>D-/AMP$ E>? AGA9/ MY SP9E4 ,(F 9 ! MOTTL$ D>K BEH9D MY EYELIDS !RE >E DI/ANT CALLS & C\<S & CREAK+S1 WILLAGE S\NDS ?AT P5ETRATE MY DOZE1 S]VE AS REM9D]S ?AT ! WORLD IS YET AB\T ME4 ,HALF-DREAMS COME4 ,?\<TS BLOSSOM 9TO PICTURES1 !N DISSOLVE4 

,G>N HAMM]S BEES UPON HIS ANVIL UNTIL BLACK & YELL[ PULP DROOLS D[N ITS SIDE4 ,HE /&S KNEE DEEP 9 A% ?AT RISES SL[LY 9 A W>M GRAY FL[-TIDE1 COV]+ HIS ?I<S1 HIS BELLY1 EV]Y?+ EXCEPT HIS HEAD1 :I* HAS ! FEATURES ( A PIG1 & N[ ! WOM5 ( ! SETTLEM5T >E COME ACROSS ! RIS5 P[D]-FLATS TO KNOT A R+ ( BRI<T BLUE FL[]S AB\T ITS ?ROAT4 ,!IR /EMS LEAVE /A9S ( VIVID GRE5 AGA9/ ! SWELLS ( FAT & N[ AN UND]/&+ COMES UPON ME ?AT ,G>N'S BODY IS NO LONG] UND]NEA? ! A%3 ! HEAD IS SEV]$1 & ! FLE% TORSO HANGS NE>BY1 TRANSFIX$ UPON A SP> ( WOOD4 ,! BULG+ SK9 IS PA9T$ EV]Y:]E ) IMAGES ( BIRDS4 

,(F FROM ! WILLAGE 9 ANO!R WORLD A CRY IS COME1 AT :I* ! BIRDS RISE UP 9 FLAPP+ BL9D AL>M & TAKE ME ) !M HI< ABOVE ! RIV]SIDE :]E1 LOOK+ D[N1 WE SEE ONE WOMAN CUT ANO!R'S ?ROAT1 DRAG (F H] CLO!S & ?R[ H] TO ! SLUGGI% WAT]S4 ,RIS+ HI<] N[1 UNTIL ! PEOPLE >E NOT VISIBLE & ALL WE KN[ >E FIELDS & HILLS2 ! CLU/]$ PALE GRE5 DOTS ( DI/ANT HUTS4 ,!SE SI<TS1 ?\< /RANGE & ?RILL+1 >E YET KN[N TO ME FROM SOME:]E LONG AGO1 BUT :]E1 & :58 ,MY BODY RISES UP & UP UNTIL ! ACRID SC5T ( WET-FURR$ DOG AWAK5S ME4 
,MY EYES >E OP5 N[ UPON AN AFT]NOON GR[N LONG] S9CE !Y CLOSE1 YET /ILL ! S\R H\ND-P]FUME L+]S4 ,>E !RE DOGS AB\T8 ,A HALF-REMEMB]$ DREAM ROLLS OV]1 FLA% ( BLACK-SCAL$ UND]BELLY JU/ BEL[ ! SURFACE ( MY ?\<TS ?AT RESUBM]GES & IS GONE1 UNRECOGNIZ$4 ,RIS+ UP /IFFLY TO MY FEET IT SEEMS TO ME ! SPOOR IS COME FROM ,OLUN'S HUT & !RE=E MAKE MY WAY 9SIDE :]E IT GR[S /RONG]1 ?ICK 5\< TO /+ ! EYES4 ,H[ GREAT A DOG IS ?IS TO HAVE A /5* SO FI]CE8 

,%\LD]+ ?R\< ! LURID PILES & TRICK-TRACKS ( IMP$IM5T1 ! RA9-DOG SMELL BECOMES MORE OV]:ELM+ ) MY EV]Y /EP T[>DS ! C5T] R\ND1 ITS /9K+ HE>T4 

,!RE >E NO DOGS4 

,! FIRE PIT1 K9DL$ N[1 CA/S UP A DANCE ( R$ ACROSS ! CURVES & CRANNIES ( ! OLD MAN'S HUT4 ,ACROSS IT1 ,HURNA SITS & FACES ME1 >MS HOOP$ AB\T H] DRAWN UP KNEES & HEAD COCK$ TO ONE SIDE4 ,!RE COMES ! SPAT & HISS ( GRE5-WOOD FROM ! EMB]S1 BUT ALL ELSE IS SIL5CE 9 ! JUNK-R+$ CLE>+4 ,SOME?+ 9 ! NOISE-%APE ( ! HUT IS WRONG4 ,!RE IS A P>T REMOV$2 SOME S\ND NO LONG] !RE4 ,LI/5+ = A MOM5T1 ! OMISSION'S PLA93 IT IS ! RHY?M ( HIS BREA?4 

,! WIT*-MAN LIES UPON HIS BI]1 BA!D 9 ! <O/S ( FLAME ?AT %IFT & TILT ! %AD[1 SETT+ HIS TATTOOS TO WRI! ?\< HE IS /ILL AS /ONE4 ,EA* />+ WET & BL9D TO :]E ! FIRE PIT'S SMOKE IS HAUL$ 9 RAGG$ TWI/S \T ?R\< ! *IMNEY-HOLE1 HIS EYES A*IEVE A F9AL MAT*1 BO? FOGG$ & FRO/$ N[4 ,HIS BREA/ BECALM$1 ! H&S ?AT RE/ UPON IT KNOT & PETRIFY AB\T MY HOOP ( FANCY-BEADS ?AT GLITT] VIOLET 9 ! COAL-LI<T4 ,PISS1 HIS F9AL (F]+1 SOAKS ?R\< ! PUP-SK9 ROBE :]EON HE LIES1 FROM :I* ! SC5T ( DOG /EAMS ?ICK & CL++ 9 ! FIRESIDE HEAT4 

,TELL ME Y\R SECRETS N[1 OLD MAN1 ! WAY Y\ PROMISE4 ,PEEL AP>T Y\R DEA?-GUMM$ LIPS & SPEAK TO ME4 

',IT HAPP5S :5 Y\ S5D ME 9 TO TALK ) HIM1' SAYS ,HURNA4 ,%E IS CALM & SMIL+1 SQUATT$ 9 ! HE>?-LI<T NEXT TO ,OLUN'S CORPSE4 ',WE MAKE \R CONV]SE BUT A LITTLE :ILE1 & !N HE DIES4 ,BUT DO NOT WORRY 444' ,H]E %E NOTES ! ANGUI% 9 MY EYES1 MI/AKES IT = COMPASSION4 ',OLUN DIES A RI<TLY DEA?4 ,HIS SPIRIT TREADS UPON ! BRI<T PA? N[1 & BE/ ( ALL HE LEAVES NO DRUDG]Y = Y\4 ,HIS FUN]AL MATT]S >E 9 H& & !RE >E NO GREAT TASKS Y\ MU/ P]=M4 ,ALL ?+S >E WELL4' 

,ALL ?+S >E WELL8 ,GODS CURSE ?IS /UPID WOMAN BL9D6 ,H[ MAY ALL ?+S BE WELL IF ,OLUN DIES BE=E ! SECRET ( HIS WEAL? IS %>$ ) ME8 ,H[ MAY %E SIT & SMILE & LOOK CONT5T :5 ALL MY S*EMES >E FALL+ D[N TO DU/8 ,B5EA? MY FEET ! GOLD5 TUNNELS FALL AWAY1 REC$E BEYOND RECALL4 ,:AT MAY BE DONE TO BR+ !M BACK8 

,A ?\<T COMES TO ME3 DRAGG+ ,OLUN BACK T[>DS ! VILLAGE FROM ! DEAD GIRL'S FUN]AL1 & ASK+ IF !RE IS NO MAN ALIVE SAVE HE ?AT KN[S ! UND]PA?1 ! TRACKWAYS ( ! DEAD4 ,! OLD MAN'S LAU<T]1 LIKE ! SPL9T]+ ( SNAIL HUSKS2 HIS REPLY ?AT BUBBLES ?ICK ) T> FROM \T AMONG ! :ORL-M>K$ %>DS3 ',EXCEPT OLD ,TUNNY4 ,HE KN[S EV]Y TURN+ ( ! PA?1 BUT ALL ! KN[+'S 9 HIS F+]S4 ,NONE ( IT IS 9 HIS HEAD4' 

',:O'S ,TUNNY8' 

,HURNA LOOKS T[>DS ME1 />TL$ FIR/ !N PUZZL$ BY MY \TBUR/1 = %E MAY NOT SEE H[ ,TUNNY IS CONNECT$ ) MY FA!R'S DEA?4 ,%E FR[NS1 & :5 %E SPEAKS H] WORDS >E SL[1 FILL$ ) A G5TL5ESS ?AT MAKES ME FURI\S4 ,IT IS AS IF %E'S TALK+ TO A BABE4 

',TUNNY'S ! GATEMAN H]E1 ! OLD ONE ) ! %AK+ H&S1 BUT Y\ HAVE O!R ?+S TO ?9K ( N[4 ,IT IS ! UPSET ( Y\R FA!R'S DEA? ?AT MUDDLES UP Y\R ?\<TS4 ,:Y DON'T Y\ RE/1 & LEAVE ! READY+ ( ,OLUN'S WAKE TO ME8 ,Y\ NE$ Y\R TIME TO M\RN1 & 444' 

,TURN+ FROM H]1 /UMBL+ ?R\< ! HULKS & H9D]S TO ! DUSK+ AIR \TSIDE4 

,H] CRIES ( CONSOLATION FOLL[ ME3 ',DON'T RUN4 ,Y\'RE JU/ UPSET1 BUT !RE'S NO NE$4 ,HE'S 9 A BETT] PLACE4 ,HE'S ON ! BRI<T PA? N[444' 

,A /RANGE EXCITEM5T HANGS UPON ! SETTLEM5T AS TWILI<T FALLS & OBJECTS LOSE !IR %APE & $GE TO M]GE )9 ! FALL+ LI<T4 ,FROM EV]Y HUT ! PEOPLE >E EM]G+1 LAU<+1 *ATT]+ & FIR+ TOR*ES1 ONE FROM (F ! O!R1 FL>ES ( YELL[ 9 ! SETTL+ GRAY4 ,9 :ISP]+ GR\PS !Y DRIFT T[>DS ! NOR!RN GATE1 A GREAT SL[ SW>M ( AMB] LI<TS ?AT TRAVELS 9 ! SAME DIRECTION AS MYSELF4 ,!Y WAT* ME D>T AMONG !M1 RUNN+ H>D T[>DS ! WAT*-HUT ) ! SWEAT ( DESP]ATION ON MY BR[ & YET !Y DO NOT PAY ME ANY HE$1 CAU<T UP 9 SOME EXCITEM5T ( !IR [N4 

,! ANCI5T GATEMAN ) ! BLACK & TREMBL+ H&S IS NO:]E TO BE SE5 & IT APPE>S HIS PO/ IS EMPTY & UNMANN$ UNTIL A MUFFL$ GRUNT+ CAUSES ME TO PE] 9SIDE4 ,AT MY BACK ! TOR*-LIT ?RONG MOVES ?R\< ! WILLAGE GATES & \T ALONG ! RIV] PA?1 A ?READ ( FLOAT+ LI<TS4 

,9SIDE ! WAT*-HUT1 BY ! WALL1 ! R$-HAIR$ GIRL ) FRECKL$ %\LD]S SITS BESIDE ! BIR?-M>K$ Y\? :OSE NAME1 IT COMES TO ME1 IS ,COLL4 ,!Y HAVE !IR BREEKS LET D[N AB\T !IR ANKLES & !IR LIPS LOCK$ H>D 5\< TO BRUISE4 ,EA* HOLDS ! O!R'S SEX4 

',:]E'S ,TUNNY8' 

,/>TL$ F+]S SUDD5LY )DRAW FROM 9 BETWE5 ! LOV$ ONE'S ?I<S TO CUP BETWE5 !IR [N4 ,!IR LIPS P>T1 %ACKL$ ONLY BY A SILV] *A9 ( SPIT4 

',%ANK (F6 ,HE ISN'T H]E4 ,%ANK (F & LEAVE US BE6' ,! BOY'S SPOIL$ FACE BECOMES SO R$ ?AT ALL ITS M>K+S >E CONSUM$ & LO/ )9 ! FLU% ( BLOOD4 

,MY QUE/ION1 ?\<1 IS URG5T & MAY NOT BE PUT ASIDE4 ',:]E IS HE1 !N8 ,COME1 TELL ME QUICK & Y\ >E RID ( ME4' 

',HE'S GONE TO WAT* ! PIG-NI<T 9 ! ,HOBFIELDS4 ,?AT'S :]E EV]YBODY GOES TONI<T1 & MORE'S ! PITY Y\'RE NOT GONE !RE TOO4' ,H]E1 BREAK+ (F1 HE MAKES ANO!R FACE & GR9S TO %[ ! /A9S UPON HIS TEE?4 ',UNLESS Y\ C>E TO /AY1 ?AT IS1 & TRY A BIT ( ?IS Y\RSELF8' 

,MY WAD ( SPITTLE BREAKS AGA9/ HIS *EEK4 ,CURS+1 HE CLAMB]S TO HIS FEET & />TS T[>DS ME1 HOBBL$ BY HIS BREEKS & F> TOO SL[4 ,ONLY HIS CRIES ( RAGE PURSUE ME \T BEYOND ! BLACK?ORN WALLS & ?R\< A D>K ALIVE ) %RIEKS1 CALLS1 TRAIL+ FLAMES4 
,! PIG-NI<T4 ,FIRES & DOLLS & PA9T$ SW9E & FLICK]+ PROCESSIONS1 BLAZ+ SPILLS ( RU% ?AT MOVE ALONG ! RIV]'S $GE REFLECT$ 9 ITS DEP?S LIKE BURN+ FI%4 ,A SMELL1 A ?RILL+ TA9T UPON ! AIR & FEV] 9 ! *ILDR5'S FACES4 ,PIG-NI<T4 ,EV]Y YE> !SE PASSIONS & !SE LI<TS1 SP>K$ 9 !IR FA!RS & GREAT-SIRES ALIKE1 & BACK & BACK TO :5 ! ,URK5 LEAP & GABBLE 9 ! AUTUMN SMOKES4 ,?IS NI<T IS NOT A S+LE TIME BUT IS AS MANY AS ! />S1 A /R+ ( NI<TS DRAWN ?R\< ! AGES ON AN AWL ( RITUAL & HUNG ) OLD FIRES 9 ! /EAD ( BEADS4 
,BLAN*$ RU%ES1 PALE & CRAV51 B[ 9 QUIV]+ SUPPLICATION TO ! W9D1 A L&LOCK$ POOL ( !M :]E FROM ! MIDDLE BULGES =? A SKULL ( BRA9-GRAY FL9T & CRUMBL$ YELL[ /ONE ?AT WE>S A CR[N ( BURN+ WOOD4 ,( ALL ! WILLE9S CR[D$ 9 ! ,HOBFIELD1 BUT A FEW HAVE ROOM TO /& UPON ?IS \TCROP1 FACES R$ & SWEAT-BRI<T1 BACKS 9 %AD[ AS !Y GANG AB\T ! PYRE4 ,! RE/ >E =C$ TO P]* AB\T ! SODD5 MEAD['S $GE UPON ! H>D]1 RIS5 GR\ND :ILE *ILDR5 SCAMP] BACK & =? ALONG ! N>R[ SP9ES ( PA? ?AT JO9 ?IS HUMAN :EEL-RIM ) ITS BLAZ+ HUB4 

,FAT ,MAG1 ! HAG-QUE51 HAS H] PLACE ATOP ! KNOLL1 ) ,B]N & ,BURI FLANK+ H]4 ,! BRO!RS' VOICES C>RY ON ! BREEZE ACROSS ! RE$-BOG1 SEEM+ L\D] & MORE GUTTURAL ?AN :5 !Y SPEAK ) ME4 ,!Y >E BO? DRUNK ON MA%1 & ONE ( !M N[ FUMBLES ) HIS WILL-%EA? !N MAKES WAT] ON ! FIRE4 ,A COPP] /REAM P\RS FROM ! DRAWN-BACK EEL LIPS ( HIS %EA?1 :OSE EYES LOOK ON1 APPALL$4 ,HIS BRO!R & ! HAG-QUE5 LAU< & CLAP4 ,OLD ,TUNNY DOES NOT SEEM TO BE AMONG ?OSE ON ! KNOLL4 

,ATOP ! PYRE1 AMONG ! RIBBON$ SMOKE & FLAME A FIGURE SITS4 ,IT IS ! QUE] & FACELESS BOY-9-K9D ?AT ME & ,OLUN SEE ! *ILDR5 MAK+ :5 WE DRAG PA/ H]E T[>DS ! BRIDGE4 ,MAK+ MY WAY AB\T ! MEAD['S RIM TO SEE IF ,TUNNY IS AMONG ! CR[D ?AT GA!RS !RE1 ! /RAW-/UFF$ BODY IS CONCEAL$ FROM ME BY RIS+ VEILS ( FIRE & FUME1 :I* N[ ! BREEZE DRAWS BACK 444 

,IT IS NO BOY-9-K9D ?AT ROA/S UPON SPUTT]+ WOODS4 ,IT IS A *ILD4 ,IT HAS A FACE ?AT SEEMS TO TURN T[>DS ME1 EYES ALIVE ) PA9 & FE> & LIPS ?AT MOVE TO %APE !MSELVES AB\T UNKN[N & T]RIFY+ WORDS4 ,ITS SN\T 444 

,NO4 ,NOT A BOY4 ,A PIG4 ,A PIG ?AT HAS ! BODY ( A BOY4 ,IT IS ! FIGURE MADE ( RAG & /RAW SAVE N[ IT WE>S A FACE FLAY$ FROM ! GAUDY HOG ?AT'S KILL$ ?IS AFT]NOON4 ,IT IS ! SETTL+ ( ! WOOD ?AT MAKES IT SEEM TO TIP & LEAN AT ME2 HEAT-RIPPL$ AIR ?AT BR+S ! /ILL$ SQUEAL ( ITS M\? TO LIFE4 ,A PRICKL+ COLD TRAILS SPID] LEGS AGA9/ MY NAPE & !N IS GONE4 ,PU% ON4 ,PU% ON BETWE5 ! JO/L+ /RANG]S1 T9Y FURNACES ALI<T 9 EV]Y EYE4 

,/RUNG \T ALONG ! RAIS$-UP HALF-MOON ( ! RIM ! CR[D CONGEALS TO SEP>ATE CLOTS ( PEOPLE1 NO MORE ?AN A H&FUL 9 EA* /RAGGL+ KNOT4 ,!Y DR9K2 !Y LAU<2 !Y HOLD !IR SMALLE/ *ILDR5 UP TO SEE ! FIRE ACROSS ! <O/LY LAKE ( RU%4 ,SOME HAVE )DRAWN 9TO ! OV]GR[? NE>BY = MAK+ SEX1 T\*$ BY ! WILD SC5T ( ?IS NI<T AS W]E ! BIR?-/A9$ GATEBOY & HIS COPP]-HEAD$ GIRL4 ,FROM \T BETWE5 ! /+-WE$S DRIFT !IR LITTLE CRIES ( GRATEFUL PA91 !IR HOT & FRI<T5$ BREA?4 ,ABOVE1 ! BEADY1 LE*] />S LOOK D[N & KN[ A JEAL\S WI% = SK94 

,AHEAD ( ME A COOK+ FIRE IS BUILT UPON ! ,HOBFIELD'S $GE1 A SMALL] BRO!R TO ! C5TRAL BLAZE4 ,ABOVE IT1 SPIT FROM ASS TO GIZZ>D1 TURNS ! C>CASS ( A PIG :OSE FACE IS SK9N$ AWAY1 OV] & OV] 9 A GREAT SL[ ROLL AS IF ITS HISS+ FLE% RECALLS OLD WALL[S 9 COOL MUD4 ,ALONG ONE FLANK ! MEAT'S ALREADY P>$ D[N TO ! BONE1 :ITE RIBS B>$ 9 A GR9 ?R\< P9K & SIZZL+ GUMS4 

,NOT F> BEYOND ?IS1 ,TUNNY /&S AP>T1 A GAUNT & RANGY ?+ ) SKULL TIPP$ BACKW>DS SAVOR+ ! SMELL ( FIRE2 ( ROA/+ PIG2 A SNIFF ( GILL BORNE FROM ! WE$S BEH9D HIM4 ,BY HIS SIDE1 =GOTT51 HANG ! /A9$ & %IV]+ H&S4 ,HE TURNS HIS HEAD AT MY APPROA* & RECOGNIZES ME4 

',AH4 ,WELL4 ,Y\R FA!R'S DEAD !N1 IS HE8' ,AWKW>D 9 HIS SPEE*1 HE IS NOT US$ TO CONSOLATION4 

',AYE1 MY FA!R'S DEAD4 ,HE SPEAKS ( Y\ BE=E HE DIES4 ,HE SAYS Y\ MAY HAVE ?+S TO TELL ME4' 

',OH8 ,:AT ?+S MI<T !Y BE1 !N8' ,OLD ,TUNNY LOOKS CONFUS$1 ! DYE-DIPP$ F+]S GR[N MORE RE/LESS BY HIS SIDE4 

',! UND]PA?S ?AT LEAD B5EA? ! WILLAGE4 ,OLUN SAYS Y\ HAVE A KN[L$GE ( !M1 Y\ ALONE 9 ALL ! WORLD SAVE HE4' 

,ACROSS ! B$S ( SICKLY RE$ BL[ SMOKE & LAU<T] FROM ! FIRE-TOPP$ KNOLL :]E BURNS ! PIG-BOY4 ,TUNNY FR[NS & %AKES HIS HEAD4 ',:AT UND]PA?S8 ,?AT'S CUNN+ TALK IS ?AT1 & DOES NOT MEAN A ?+ TO ME4 ,:Y1 ,OLUN B>ELY HAS A HAIL OR F>E-Y\-WELL = ME S9CE MY AFFLICTION =CES ME TO QUIT MY CALL+ & TAKE ON A L[LY GATEMAN'S LOT4' 

,HIS EYES GR[ DI/ANT1 DAMP ) MEMORY4 ,MY GAZE %IFTS D[N FROM !M T[>DS ! PALSI$1 BLACK EXTREMITIES4 ,)9 MY ?\<TS1 A D>K ?+ CRAWLS T[>DS ! LI<T4 

',BE=E Y\ >E !IR GATEMAN1 >E Y\ 4448' 

',!IR TATTOOI/4 ,YES4' 

',& IT IS Y\ ?AT M>KS MY FA!R ) HIS CR[ DESIGNS8' 

,HE GIVES A BRAY+ LAU< ?AT SEEMS TOO BIG = SU* A P9*$ & N>R[ *E/4 ,(F ON ! KNOLL !RE'S NO?+ LEFT N[ ( ! PIG-BOY SAVE A *>R+ M\ND ?AT PUFFS & BUR/S & %RIVELS 9 AMONG ! RO>+ TONGUES ( LI<T4 

',HIS CR[ DESIGNS8 ,IF ?AT IS :AT HE CALLS !M1 :Y1 !N YES ?AT IS MY WORK1 AL?\< !Y DO NOT LOOK LIKE CR[S TO ME4 ,!Y HAVE NO S5SE 9 !M AT ALL & YET HE MAKES ME COPY !M SO C>EFUL FROM HIS PA9T$ B>KS1 AS IF NO O!R HALF-WIT SCRAWL MAY DO AS WELL4 ,:5 WE >E DONE HE BURNS ! PICTURE B>KS & MAKES A PROP] ?+ ( IT1 Y\ M>K MY WORD4 ,EA* YE> HE COMES TO ME & HAS !M TRAC$ AFRE% TO KEEP 'EM BOLD1 BUT !N MY H&S GET BAD & ,OLUN COMES NO MORE1 NOR ANYONE4 ,:O DOES !IR TATTOOS N[ IS NOT = ME TO KN[4' ,HE PAUSES1 WR9KLES UP HIS NOSE & SQU9TS 9 ! DIRECTION ( MY NECK4 ',:O DOES ?AT ONE AB\T Y\R ?ROAT8 ,IT MU/ BE SOMEONE 9 ! WILLAGE1 = IT IS NOT !RE :5 Y\ >E FIR/ >RIV$4' 

,:AT IS HE SPEAK+ (8 ,MY H& FLIES UP UNBIDD5 TO 9SPECT ! S(T SK9 !RE BEL[ MY JAW4 ,!RE IS NO SC> ?AT MAY BE FELT1 NO RAIS$-UP LIP ( FRE% TATTOO4 ,?IS FLUTT]-F+]$ FOOL IS EI!R ADDL$ OR ELSE BL9D1 & !RE IS MU* = ME TO ?9K ( )\T PAY+ FUR!R NOTICE TO SOME LACK-WIT GATEMAN'S MUTT]+S4 ,/ILL SQU9T+ AT MY NECK HE LETS ME CLASP HIS %UDD]+ H& & ?ANK HIM = HIS HELP1 !N WAT*ES ME TURN FROM HIM1 WALK+ (F 9TO ! FIRELIT CR[D ALONG ! MEAD[-BANK4 

,! D>K ?+ 9 MY ?\<TS CRAWLS CLOS] /ILL4 ,OLD ,TUNNY'S F+]S KN[ ! UND]PA?1 ?\< !RE'S NO KN[+ 9 HIS HEAD4 ,OLD ,TUNNY'S ! TATTOOI/4 ,HE SCORES ,OLUN'S M>KS1 HIS BLACK5$ F+]S MOV+1 YE> ON YE>1 ALONG ?OSE MAD & WEAV+ TRACKS1 ! OLD MAN'S CR[ DESIGNS ?AT DO NOT LOOK LIKE CR[S1 YET N[ IS ALL COME PLA94 ,!Y >E NOT IMAGES ( CR[S AT ALL4 

,!Y'RE :AT CR[S SEE4 

,! RIV] FROM ABOVE BECOME A L9E1 A CROOK$ ?READ ( BLUE4 ,! PAT*WORK$ FIELDS ALL HEMM$ ) BRAMBLE1 HUTS MADE SMALL AS F+]-R+S & =E/S %RUNK TO FAT GRE5 SLUGS1 ALL CR9KLE-$G$ & VE9$ ) PA?S4 ,?AT IS ! MEANS BY :I* ! OLD MAN KN[S EA* TRACK & BY-WAY4 ,!RE'S ! REASON ,OLUN FEELS ! WILLAGE IS TOO MU* A P>T ( HIM3 ! ALL ( IT IS ET*$ UPON HIS HIDE4 ,ITS HILLS1 ITS PONDS4 ,ITS UND]PA?S4 ,ITS VAULTS & TREASURE HOLES4 ,?AT'S H[ HE MEANS TO SPEAK ) ME :5 HE IS 9 HIS GRAVE4 

,MY %OV+S & MY SQUEEZ+S N[ RETURN ME TO ! RIV]SIDE ?AT W&]S BACK T[>DS ! WILLAGE4 ,CA/+ ONE LA/ LOOK T[>DS ! KNOLL IT /RIKES ME ?AT ! HAG-QUE5 SITS ALONE BE=E ! PYRE1 ) ,B]N & ,BURI GONE ELSE:]E4 ,MY EYES SIFT ?R\< ! RAGG$ CR[D AB\T ! ,HOBFIELD'S RIM & F9ALLY ALI<T UPON ! MON/R\S BRO!RS1 /&+ BY ! SPIT ON :I* ! PA9T$ PIG IS ROA/4 ,OLD ,TUNNY /&S BESIDE ! PAIR1 LOOK+ AFRAID & TALK+ ) !M4 ,N[ HE LIFTS ONE H& & GE/URES TO HIS GULLET4 ,BO? ! BRO!RS NOD4 ,!Y />E AS ONE ACROSS ! FLICK]+ YELL[ RE$-FIELD1 PE]+ ?R\< ! SMOKE T[>DS ! RIV] PA? & ME1 AL?\< !Y MAY NOT SEE ME ?IS F> FROM ! FIRE4 

,TURN+ AWAY FROM !M1 MY HURRI$ FOOT/EPS BE> ME (F 9TO ! LAPP+ D>K1 BACK TO ! WILLAGE & ! OLD MAN'S PRECI\S1 COLD REMA9S4 ,EV5 IF ,HURNA IS ALREADY SETTL+ HIM )9 HIS GRAVE1 IT IS NO OB/ACLE = ONE AS SKILL$ 9 RESURRECTION AS MYSELF4 ,MY FEET >E T+L+ AS !Y P\ND ALONG ! RIV]BANK1 W>M ) ! FEEL ( ALL MY GOLD ?AT'S HO>D$ !RE B5EA? !M4 

,IS !RE SOME?+ ON MY NECK8 
,9SIDE ( ME1 ! D>K ?+ SL[LY DRAGS T[>DS ! LI<T4 ,!RE'S SOME?+ MISS+ H]E1 SOME KN[L$GE ?AT'S NOT YET DISCLOS$4 ,A PICTURE COMES ( ,HURNA1 SQUATT+ !RE BY ,OLUN'S BODY1 SMIL+ ?R\< ! COAL-GL[ ( ! 9N] HUT4 ,:AT DOES %E HAVE TO BE SO PLEAS$ AB\T8 ,ATOP ! ,BEA/HILL TO MY LEFT >E DANC+ LI<TS1 :]EFROM A DI/ANT HOLL[ KE5+ RISES B>E 9TO ! NI<T4 

',HE'S 9 A BETT] PLACE1' %E SAYS4 

',HE'S ON ! BRI<T PA? N[4' 

,! UND]/&+1 :5 IT COMES UPON ME1 TE>S A SCREAM FROM \T MY ?ROAT4 
,=GET ! WILLAGE4 ,!RE IS NO?+ !RE = ME N[4 ,RUN4 ,RUN UP ! ,BEA/HILL4 ,IT IS NOT TOO LATE4 ,MY TE>S MAY BE MISPLAC$1 TO MAKE SO MU* \T ( A WORD1 A LOOK4 ,KEEP RUNN+1 UP & UP4 

,BESIDES1 :AT REASON MAY !RE BE = ,OLUN TO CONS5T TO SU* A ?+8 ,HE HAS NO LOVE = ,HURNA OR H] GODS1 & SAYS TIME AFT] TIME ?AT HE WANTS ME TO HAVE HIS LE>N+S & HIS LEAV+S :5 HE'S DEAD4 ,HE HAS NO CAUSE TO *ANGE HIS M9D 444 

444 BUT !N !RE IS ! WAY HE LOOKS AT ME AFT] HE TAKES MY FANCY-BEADS4 ,HIS EYES & VOICE GR[ COLD & !N HE ASKS TO SPEAK ) ,HURNA AS IF 444 ,NO4 ,=GET IT4 ,IT IS NO?+4 ,9 MY SIDE1 A PA94 ,MY GASP+ BREA?1 SO MU* LIKE ,OLUN'S4 

,/OPP+ HALF-WAY UP TO RE/ & LOOK+ BACK A PAIR ( TOR*-LI<TS MAY BE SE51 ?AT MOVE ALONG ! RIV] PA? T[>DS ! ,BEA/HILL'S L[] SLOPES4 ,!Y SEEM TO COME FROM ! DIRECTION ( ! ,HOBFIELDS1 FOLL[+ MY [N R\TE H]E4 ,A GR\P ( REVEL]S1 P]HAPS1 ALL OV]F$ & DRUNK ) MA%1 ?AT MAKE = ,BEA/HILL SO TO ASK SOME GOD'S =GIV5ESS ( !IR GLUTTONY BE=E RETURN+ HOME4 ,! LAMP-FIRES GLIDE ALONG ! RIV]BANK1 !IR PACE MAT*$ P]FECTLY AS IF ! BE>]S WALK 9 /EP4 ,!Y />T TO M\NT ! ,BEA/HILL4 ,RUN4 ,RUN ON4 

,ACROSS ! FLATT5$ SUMMIT /RET* ! R+S ( BROK5 WALL1 ONE SET 9SIDE ! O!R1 ANCI5T BANKS ( E>? HEAP$ UP BY M5 YET N[ RECLAIM$ BY GRASS ?AT LOOKS LIKE SLIV]$ METAL UND]NEA? ! />S4 ,AWAY T[>DS ! HILLTOP'S FUR!R SIDE1 BEYOND ! SMALLE/ & MO/ C5TRAL R+1 A CR[D ( WOM5 >E CONV5$1 ALL WAIL+4 

,!Y >E /&+ 9 A R+ AB\T ! FIRE4 

,%\T+ & SCREAM+1 BIDD+ !M TO /OP1 MY FRANTIC1 HURTL+ =M C>E5S ACROSS ! /RET* ( GRASS & D>K BETWE5 US1 DODG+ ?R\< ! CRUMBL+ GAPS ?AT SEP>ATE ! TURF-CAPP$ WALLS & LEAP+ PUDDLES WIDE AS BABY PONDS TO COME AT LA/ AMONG !M1 SOBB+1 HALF COLLAPS+ !RE AT ,HURNA'S FEET :O /&S BESIDE ! PYRE4 

,%E SMILES D[N FONDLY4 ,(F ACROSS ! FIELD TWO TOR*ES BREA/ ! HILL & />T TO MOVE T[>DS US4 ,B]N & ,BURI4 ,HURNA'S VOICE IS HE>TY & =GIV+1 BRIMM+ OV] ) DULL-WITT$ SI/]LY AFFECTION4 

',WE >E PLEAS$ ?AT Y\ AT LA/ DECIDE TO %>E \R C]EMONY4 ,& Y\R FA!R4 ,HE IS PLEAS$ AS WELL4' 

,%E LOOKS UP H]E T[>DS ! T[]+ C5T] ( ! BLAZE1 MU* HI<] ?AN ! PIG-NI<T FIRE4 

,HE SITS ]ECT UPON HIS BURN+ ?RONE1 %RUNK TO A HIDE\S *>COAL 9FANT BY ! FLAMES4 ,HIS BLACK5$ SOCKETS />E AS IF TO SCRY ! SMOKE = MESSAGES1 = 9TIMATIONS ( REPRIEVE4 ,BEH9D !SE GAP+ ORBITS S(T GRAY T5DRILS SMOLD] FROM A SOOT ( BRA94 ,ACROSS HIS BREA/1 HELD 9 A DEA?-GRIP1 C9D]$ F+]S CL5* UPON HIS DAU<T]'S FANCY-BEADS4 ,HIS SK9 FLAKES (F TO RISE AS GREAT SL[ MO?S ( A% 9TO ! FIRMAM5T1 ABOVE ! HEAT :]E !Y GR[ COOL & FALL TO LAZY SPIRALS ( DESC5T1 RA9+ AB\T ME4 

,B]N & ,BURI /& BEH9D ME N[1 PATI5T & SIL5T AS !Y WAIT = ME TO TURN & FACE !M4 ,FROM ! SKY A FRAIL BLACK FRAGM5T1 TUMBL+ AS 9 A DREAM1 DRIFTS D[N TO SETTLE ON MY >M4 ,UPON IT1 B>ELY VISIBLE AGA9/ ITS BLACK1 ! FA9TE/ SILV] TRAC]Y ( L9ES MAY YET BE SE53 A G5TLE CURVE ?AT IS P]HAPS A /REAM OR ELSE SOME BURI$ LANE1 ! CLU/]$ SPID]-M>KS ?AT MAY BE TREES VIEW$ FROM ABOVE4 

,IT BREAKS AGA9/ MY WRI/ & FALLS TO DU/1 CAU<T BY ! W9D TO SCATT] OV] ! CREMATION FIELDS4 

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

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

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