,*APT] #c 
,9 ! ,DR[N+S1 ,PO/ ,A,D #dc 

,PEOPLE 3 

,AU?OR 3 ,ALAN ,MOORE 

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

,TEXT 3 

,9 ! ,DR[N+S1 ,PO/ ,A,D #dc 

,! PLAIT+ ( ! RU%ES & ! CUTT+ ( ! /ILTS4 ,A HOLL[ BEAK ?AT SPITS \T D>TS2 ITS MAK+ & ITS USE4 ,! ME?OD ( !SE ?+S IS LIKE A VOICE 9SIDE ?AT 5DLESSLY REPEATS ITS DULL 9/RUCTIONS4 ,IT'S BE5 9 ME = SO LONG ?AT ,I NO LONG] HE> IT4 ,:5 ,I DO1 IT SOO!S ME 9 ?AT ,I NE$ ?9K ( NO?+ SAVE ?IS GRAY1 UN5D+ LI/ & ?US AT LA/ MAY FALL ASLEEP ) IT UPON MY LIPS3 ,! PLAIT+ ( ! RU%ES & ! CUTT+ ( ! /ILTS4 ,A HOLL[ BEAK ?AT SPITS \T D>TS1 ITS MAK+ & ITS USE4 

,BE=E ,I WADE UP/REAM T[>DS ! %ALL[S1 ,I LOOK BACK AT ,SALKA & \R *ILDR5 PLAY+4 ,WAT] BEAD$ ON H] BREA/1 %E TURNS & HOLDS ME ) H] BLACK-EY$ GAZE TOO LONG BE=E %E LOOKS AWAY & DIPS H] FACE ONCE MORE B5EA? ! RIV]'S SK94 ,! Y\NG ONES SPLA% & CIRCLE2 BUILD AN >GUM5T BETWE5 !MSELVES BUT !N AB&ON IT 9 FAVOR ( SOME BETT]1 L\D] DISAGREEM5T4 

,?IS LOOK+ BACK :5EV] ,I SET \T & LEAVE MY FAMILY BEH9D1 AS IF TO GA!R ALL MY LOV$ ONES UP 9TO MY EYES & HOLD !M !RE1 IT HAS BECOME A HABIT ) ME LATELY4 ,/ILL IT GNAWS ME1 ?IS CONC]N ?AT ONE DAY ,I MI<T GLANCE AWAY &1 :5 ,I LOOK BACK1 F9D !M GONE4 ,IT SEEMS ?AT ,I CANNOT BE RID ( IT & SO ,I />E UNTIL !IR %APES >E LO/ AGA9/ ! RIPPL+ GL>E ?AT DANCES ON ! WAT]4 ,TURN+1 ,I MAKE AWAY AGA9/ ! CURR5T1 /RONG & BOIL+ :]E IT CLEFTS AGA9/ MY ?I<4 
,I HAD A DIFF]5T WIFE ONCE1 & ANO!R FAMILY4 ,WE DID NOT LIVE H]E 9 ! ,DR[N+S BUT SOME WAY (F TO ! WE/1 UP 9 A GREAT R\ND HILL CAMP HI< ABOVE A BURN+-GR\ND4 ,ONE MORN+ ,I AWOKE & V5TUR$ \T BETWE5 ! BUBBL+ BREAKFA/-POTS TO HUNT & FI%1 & ?AT WAS ALL ( IT4 ,I CANNOT N[ RECALL IF ,I HAD ANY K9D WORD = MY WIFE ON SETT+ \T ?AT DAY1 ONLY ?AT ,I BECAME ILL-TEMP]$ :5 ,I F\ND ! BROK5 DRAW-/R+ ( MY BOOT UNFIX$1 & ?\<T ILL ( H] LAZ9ESS4 ,I MAY HAVE SAID SOME LITTLE ?+1 SOME WORDS1 ,I CAN'T REMEMB]4 ,KNOTT+ UP ! /R+ AS BE/ ,I C\LD = WANT ( ?READ & NE$LE1 ,I TI$ UP MY BOOT & LIMP$ 9TO ! DAWN & ?AT WAS ALL ( IT4 

,I KISS$ MY LITTLE GIRL F>EWELL1 BUT C\LD NOT F9D MY SON TO KISS4 ,%E HAD JU/ EAT5 CURDS4 ,H] BREA? WAS HOT & SWEET UPON MY *EEK1 & ?AT WAS ALL ( IT4 

,AS ,I WALK$ ON ALL HUNG AB\T ) NETS & SPE>S AMONG ! R\S+ HUTS1 ,I SAW MY MO!R SOME WAY (F1 UPON ! SETTLEM5T'S F> SIDE4 ,I CALL$ TO H]1 BUT %E WAS OLD & DID NOT HE> ME4 ,?AT WAS ALL ( IT4 

,I /OPP$ TO TALK ) ,JEMM] ,PICKEY'S WIFE1 & :ILE WE SPOKE ,I HAD SOME ?\<TS ( H] )\T H] SKIRTS & SK9S1 AL?\< ,I KNEW !RE W\LD BE NO?+ COME ( ?IS4 ,I SAID GOODBYE1 !N C>RI$ ON MY WAY4 

,NE> BY ! MA9 GATE1 9 AMONG ! OLD1 GRASS$ OV] /ONES ( ,G>NSMI?'S ,=GE ,I SAW \R WILLAGE ,HOBMAN /&+ LO/ 9 ?\<T1 ! YELL[ ANTL]S DROOP+1 TI$ AB\T HIS L[]$ BR[4 ,ALL 9 A R+ AB\T HIS FEET W]E MANY M>K+S1 SKET*$ 9 MEAG] SOIL !RE ) HIS MI/LE-ROD4 ,HE MUTT]$ TO HIMSELF1 TWI/+ ! GRAY SN>LS ( HIS BE>D BETWE5 /A9$ F+]TIPS1 & SEEM$ MORE ILL AT EASE ?AN ,I HAD EV] SE5 HIM4 ,( A SUDD5 HE LOOK$ UP & SAW ME AS ,I PASS$4 ,HE MADE TO SPEAK1 !N SEEM$ TO ?9K ! BETT] ( IT4 ,I HAVE (T5 WOND]$ :AT HE MEANT TO SAY4 

,I PASS$ HIM BY & W5T \T FROM ! CAMP1 MAK+ MY WAY D[N HILL & PA/ ?AT L[] PEAK :]E LIE ! BURN+ GR\NDS4 ,I'D HE>D ?AT !RE W]E WALLS !RE ONCE1 GREAT R\NDS SET ONE 9SIDE ! O!R4 ,!SE W]E LONG S9CE WORN AWAY1 BUT FROM ! CAMP-HILL'S UPP] SLOPE ! R+S C\LD YET BE SE52 A C]TA9 D>K5+ ( ! GRASS BE/ LOOK$ UPON BY AFT]NOON4 ,(F TO ! WE/1 D[N :]E ! RIV]SID]S HAD !IR SETTLEM5T1 ?9 ROPES ( SMOKE W]E /RUNG BETWE5 /ILL SKY & DI/ANT FIRES1 & :5 ,I'D COME TOO L[ UPON ! HILL TO HE> ! WILLAGE NOISES AT MY BACK1 !RE WAS A SIL5CE1 /RET*$ ACROSS ! WORLD UNTO ! FUR!R TREES4 ,I WALK$ D[N 9TO ?IS1 ) LOOP+ B9DWE$ /RANGLES TE>+ R\ND MY FEET AS ,I DESC5D$4 ,?AT WAS ALL ( IT4 
,AS ,I /ILT ?R\< ! WAT] N[1 LESS DEEP H]E ?AN A =E>M'S L5G?1 ! TREES /OOP 9 ABOVE ME & ! RIV] IS 9 %AD[4 ,) NO SUN TO DAZZLE FROM ! WAT]'S FACE ! DEP?S B5EA? BECOME MORE PLA91 SO ?AT ! FI% :O MOVE !RE MAY BE SE54 ,I /OP1 & AM BECOME AS /ILL AS /ONES4 ,MY WOOD5 LEGS >E TWO TREES ROOT$ 9 ! /REAMB$1 :]EUPON ! WAT] FOLDS ITSELF !N FOLDS ITSELF AGA94 ,B5EA? ITS SURFACE ,I REG>D MY /ILTS ?AT SEEM N[ CROOK$1 B5T ) AGE1 AL?\< ,I KN[ ?AT ?IS IS BUT SOME WAT]-TRICK4 ,I MOVE MY SODD5 CLOAK ( RU% ASIDE1 & LIFT MY SPE>1 & WAIT4 

,:5 ,I LIV$ 9 ! HILL CAMP IT TOOK MORE ?AN HALF A DAY TO REA* ! ,DR[N+S4 ,HORSES WILL NOT RIDE !RE = ! GR\ND IS TREA*]\S & FILL$ ) BOGS & POOLS :]EBY ! MIDGE-FLIES CL\D AB\T1 A SMALL & ANGRY WEA!R4 ,MANY M5 HAVE DI$ !RE4 ,M9N[S NAVIGATE BETWE5 !IR TEE?4 
,I REA*$ MY FAVORITE HUNT+-PLACE AT CLOSE ( AFT]NOON1 ! TWILI<T RAIS+ UP LIKE DU/ BE=E A H]D ( COM+ />S4 ,FIR/ ,I COLLECT$ /ICKS & SODS TO BUILD MY HIDE1 :]E ,I W\LD SLEEP1 MORE LIKE A SWOLL5 GRAVE ?AN LIKE A HUT4 ,I LABOR$ NEXT 9 FAIL+ LI<T TO GA!R RU%ES1 ?AT ,I MI<T HAVE WORK )9 MY OIL-LIT HIDE TO KEEP ME BUSY AFT] D>K HAD SETTL$ ON ! F5S4 

,! HORSE-HAIR WICK1 COIL$ LIKE A WORM 9 CURDL$ FAT1 REFUS$ TO BURN UNTIL ,I'D WA/$ HALF A BAG ( T9D] & COME NE> TO WE>+ SMOO? MY NEWE/ FL9T4 ,I SAT CROSS-ANKL$ 9 ! %IV]+ LI<T & PLAIT$ RU%ES ON 9TO ! GRAY APPROA*ES ( ! DAWN4 ,! G[N ,I MADE WAS LONG & GRE51 %AP$ LIKE A MA%-SK9 ?AT'S TURN$ RI<T-SIDE-D[N1 SEAL$ AT ! TOP SAVE = A SLIT TO SEE ?R\< & A HOLE :]E9 TO FIX ! HOLL[ BEAK4 ,I SLEPT = BUT A SMALL :ILE & WAS UP BE=E FIR/ LI<T TO CUT Y\NG SAPL+S = MY /ILTS & F9D A PIECE ( WOOD ?AT ,I MI<T SCRAPE ! CAULK FROM \T TO MAKE MY BL[+-PIPE4 

,MY WORK WAS F9I%$ AS ! SUN COMPLET$ ITS ASC5T ?R\< *ILLY MORN+ AIR1 ONLY TO SLUMP AT LA/ EXHAU/$ & COMM5CE ITS FALL4 ,I TOOK A ROLL$-UP RAG FROM \T MY SACK & OP5$ IT TO *OOSE ONE ( ! IRON SLIV]S P9N$ 9 R[S ALONG ! UNROLL$ /RIP1 A TUFT ( DIRTY RAM'S-WOOL FA/5$ AT !IR DULLE/ 5DS4 ,SELECT+ ONE1 ,I PLAC$ IT 9 BETWE5 MY TEE?1 PO9T \T]MO/1 & CRAWL$ HEAD-FIR/ 9TO MY G[N ( RE$1 ! BOR$-?R\< WOOD5 BEAK CLASP$ TI<T 9SIDE MY H&4 ,I /RUGGL$ = A MOM5T TO ADJU/ ! HOOD ?AT ,I MI<T SEE1 !N DRAGG$ ! /ILTS 9SIDE ! G[N1 TO B9D ) /RIPS ( OX-HIDE TO MY LEGS4 

,! WOOD5 BEAK WAS 9 MY M\?1 ONE 5D PROTRUD+ ?R\< ! HELMET'S HOLE1 ! D>T ALREADY NE/L$ 9 ITS BORE4 ,SWELL$ UP ) SPIT1 ! WOOL5 FLI<T /OPP$ UP ! HOLE4 ,ITS BITT] /R&S /UCK TO MY TONGUE & TEAS$ 9SIDE MY M\? SO ?AT ,I HAD SOME DIFFICULTY 9 DISLODG+ !M )\T ! BL[-D>T FALL+ FROM ITS PIPE4 

,AT LA/1 MY MUMM]Y COMPLETE1 ,I LIFT$ UP MY %ORT-SPE> & TRI$ C>EFULLY TO /& UPON MY FRE%-CUT LEGS1 US+ A LONELY TREE TRUNK AS SUPPORT UNTIL ,I'D F\ND MY FEET4 ,) ?IS ASSUR$1 ,I DELICATELY PICK$ MY WAY1 A GIANT GRE5 BIRD1 T[>D ! CURR5T'S RAGG$ $GE :]EBY ,I DIPP$ ONE WOOD5 TOE )91 UNM9DFUL ( ! WAT]'S *ILL4 

,) GREAT SL[ /EPS ?AT LEFT ! RIV]'S SURFACE UNDI/URB$1 ,I WAD$ 9 AMONG ! WITLESS FI% & UNSUSPECT+ WAT]-F[L1 :5CE ,I COMM5C$ TO HUNT4 
,/&+ A-/RADDLE ( ! %ALL[S N[ A FAT BASS MOVES BETWE5 MY FEET TO NIBBLE PALE GRAY WE$4 ,MY F+]S TI<T5 ON ! SPE>-%AFT !N RELAX AS IT ?9KS BETT] ( ITS MEAL4 ,IT :IPS ITS TAIL AS = A FACE-SLAP & IS GONE4 

,SOMETIMES ,I DWELL ON H[ ! FI% & DUCKS REG>D ALL ?IS4 ,UNSE51 ,I /ALK AMONG !M & !Y ?9K ME ONE ( !M4 ,!Y >E TOO DULL TO UND]/& ?AT ,I AM ( A HI<] K9D & ?AT ,I MEAN !M ILL1 & SO !Y DISAPPE>1 UNCOMPREH5D+1 ONE BY ONE4 ,!Y WAT* ! GREAT GRE5 BIRD /RIDE !RE BETWE5 !M1 YET =GE NO CONNECTION ) !IR MISS+ K94 ,!Y >E MADE BL9D BY ?AT :I* !Y EXPECT TO SEE4 

,!RE MAY BE BEA/S MORE SUBTLE YET ?AN WE1 /ROLL+ AMONG US AT !IR LEISURE1 PICK+1 *OOS+1 BAGG+ N[ A WOMAN1 N[ A MAN1 & NONE %ALL EV] KN[ :]E !Y HAVE GONE1 SO SP>SE & SCATT]$ >E ! CRIMES2 SO FEW & F> BETWE51 SAVE :5 !SE SUBTLE MON/]S FEEL ! NE$ TO FEA/ & GLUT !MSELVES4 

,ANO!R FI%1 ?IS TIME A ROA*1 MOVES NUZZL+ BETWE5 MY PLANT$ /RUTS4 ,?IS TIME ,I DO NOT WAIT1 BUT DRIVE ! SPE> D[N H>D4 ,I ALMO/ MISS & PI]CE ITS SIDE 9/EAD1 LIFT+ IT ?RA%+ ON MY %AFT 9TO ! SUNLI<T1 BEADS ( RIV]-WAT] FALL+ ALL AB\T IT 9 A MORTAL DEW4 
,I HUNT$ ALL ?AT DAY & YET ANO!R DAY BESIDES1 CURL$ 9 MY HIDE BY D>K1 & AT ! CLOSE ( IT W]E MANY F[L )9 MY SACK & MANY POLES ( FI%1 & :5 ANO!R MORN+ CAME ,I SET \T = MY HOME4 ,! AIR WAS GOOD & CLE> ?AT DAY1 AS AIR ?AT FOLL[S FROM A /ORM1 & YET NO /ORM HAD PASS$4 ,! BLUE SKY COLOR$ ALL ! POOLS & PUDDLES ( ! F51 & VA/ :ITE CL\DS PASS$ OV]HEAD1 PIL$ UP 9TO FANTA/IC %APES = :I* ,I HAD NOT NAMES4 ,MY BAG WAS FULL4 ,! SUN WAS W>M UPON MY BACK4 ,I SANG ! ONLY WORDS ,I C\LD REMEMB] ( ! ,OLD ,TRACK ,SONG1 AB\T ! J\RNEY-BOY & H[ HE F\ND HIS BRIDE1 & FRI<T5$ H]ONS (F A POND ! S++ WAS ?AT BAD4 ,IT WAS ! LA/ TIME ,I WAS HAPPY4 
,N[ ,I SIT UPON ! BANK & LET MY WOOD5 LEGS TRAIL 9 ! CURR5T :ILE ,I EAT ! FI%4 ,:5 FIR/ ,I CAME TO LIVE = GOOD \T 9 ! ,DR[N+S1 ,I W\LD COOK MY FOOD BE=E ,I ATE1 BUT N[ IT SEEMS A NUISANCE4 ,NO ONE ELSE H]E COOKS !IR FOOD4 ,I SPLIT ALONG ! CREATURE'S BELLY ) MY NAIL & FEEL AN ODD CONT5T AT JU/ H[ L>GE A PIECE ( SK9 ,I CAN PEEL (F 9 ONE ATTEMPT4 7,H]E1 P>TLY FLAY$1 IT />TLES ME BY FLIPP+ ONCE1 BUT !N IS /ILL47 

,AB\T TO PULL MY BEAK ASIDE & EAT1 A MOVEM5T ON ! S\? HORIZON DRAWS MY EYES4 ,R$ FLAGS4 ,R$1 T9Y FLAGS ?AT DRIFT AP>T !N DRAW TOGE!R AS !Y FLAP T[>DS ME FROM ACROSS ! DI/ANT FIELDS4 ,I SQU9T1 !N DRAW MY LEGS FROM \T ! WAT] SO AS BE/ TO /&4 ,I LEAVE MY BEAK 9 PLACE4 

,NOT FLAGS4 ,NOT FLAGS1 BUT CAPES1 R$ CAPES UPON ! BACKS ( RID+ M54 ,A H&-FULL BY MY RECKON+4 ,NO MORE4 

,I KN[ !M4 ,M5 ( ,ROMA1 COME FROM L&S BEYOND ! SEA4 ,SOME ( ! Y\NG M5 9 ! WILLAGE :]E ,I LIV$ BE=E SAID ?AT !SE ,ROMANS HAD A WILL TO TAKE ! L& FROM US1 BUT ALL ?IS IS A PUZZLE F> BEYOND MY FIGUR+1 = L& IS NOT A ?+ ?AT ONE CAN TAKE1 & NOR IS IT A ?+ ?AT CAN BELONG1 & SO ,I LEAVE SU* QU>RELS TO ! Y\NG] M54 

,!Y >E MU* CLOS] N[1 & HAVE DISM\NT$1 LEAD+ ON ! HORSES BY !IR RE9S1 PICK+ !IR WAY BETWE5 ! MUDHOLES & ! BRI<T LAK$ SILV] ( ! POOLS4 ,ONE ( !M BE>S A /AFF CR[N$ ) A /RANGE DEVICE ( GOLD3 !RE IS A SNAKE1 A FAT MAN /&+1 !N A M\? WIDE OP5 ) ! TONGUE LOLL$ \T1 & F9ALLY A FAT MAN WALK+4 ,METAL HELMETS4 ,SKIRTS LIKE WOM54 ,METAL PLATES ACROSS !IR TITS4 

,!IR HORSES SEE ME FIR/1 & %Y4 ,:ILE TRY+ TO RE9 9 !IR RE>+ /E$S1 ! M5 :IRL ALL AB\T TO SEEK ! CAUSE ( ?IS DI/URBANCE4 ,ALL 9 GRE5 AGA9/ ! TUFT$ RIV]-BANK1 AT FIR/ !Y CANNOT SEE ME4 

,I'VE NO QU>REL ) !M4 ,I CALL \T HELLO1 & N[ !Y TURN & LOOK AT ME4 ,MY VOICE IS SORE1 UNPRACTIC$ 9 ! SPEE* ( M51 & FROM !IR FACES IT IS PLA9 MY GREET+ S\ND$ T]RIBLE & WAS BEYOND !IR UND]/&+4 ,ONE AMONG !M />TS TO BABBLE1 HI< PIT*$1 9 !IR CURI\S TONGUE4 ,I TAKE ANO!R /EP T[>DS !M1 RE>+ HI< UPON MY WOOD5 LEGS1 & TRY AGA94 

,! HORSES SCREAM & BOLT4 ,! M5 RUN AFT] !M4 ,I WAT* !IR R$ CLOAKS FLAP AWAY ACROSS ! F5S4 ,! MORE ,I CALL = !M TO /OP & HAVE NO FE>1 ! FA/] DO !IR HORSES FLEE1 ! FA/] DO !Y FOLL[ 9 PURSUIT4 ,:AT MU/ ,I S\ND LIKE1 AFT] ALL ?IS TIME8 

,!Y'RE GONE1 & SO ,I SIT BACK D[N !RE AT ! WAT]'S $GE TO EAT MY FI%4 ,I ?9K ( H[ !Y'LL TELL !IR FRI5DS !Y SAW A BIRD MU* BIGG] ?AN A MAN1 ALL GRE51 ?AT /ALK$ ! M>%ES ON ITS MON/R\S LEGS & UTT]$ DREADFUL CRIES4 ,>\ND A M\?-FULL ( COLD FI% ,I />T TO LAU< SO ?AT ! GREASE SPILLS \T 9TO MY BE>D2 ONTO MY FEA!RS MADE ( RU%4 

,AFT] A :ILE ! LAU<T] /OPS1 BECAUSE IT S\NDS BAD 9 ?IS PLACE ALONE4 ,I EAT ! FI% D[N TO ITS SKELETON4 
,?AT DAY1 :5 ,I WALK$ HOME T[>DS MY HILL CAMP1 ,I WAS ?9K+ ( MY WIFE1 MY FIR/ WIFE4 ,IT'S A /RANGE ?+1 BUT H] NAME WAS ,SALKA TOO4 ,I'D KN[N H] S9CE WE BO? W]E SMALL & PLAY$ AT *ASE-&-KISS \T 9 ! ,HOBFIELDS1 :I* !Y SAY IS HAUNT$ BY A MURD]$ BOY4 ,ONCE ,I TOLD ,SALKA ?AT ,I'D SE5 HIM1 /&+ ON ! M\ND !RE ) HIS ?ROAT ALL CUT1 HIS HAIR ALL BURN$4 ,%E KNEW ,I'D MADE IT UP1 & YET %E MADE AS IF %E ?\<T IT TRUE1 & CLUNG TO ME & LET ME FEEL H] GILLY !RE 9SIDE H] BREEKS4 

,! HILL CAME 9TO SI<T1 ) SUPP]-FIRES ?AT SMOLD]$ ON ITS CRE/1 SO ?AT MY WE>Y /EP GREW QUICK TO ?9K ( BE+ HOME4 ,I HAD NOT HAD ! *ANCE TO TELL MY SON GOODBYE BE=E ,I LEFT1 & ?\<T ?AT ,I MI<T PLAY ) HIM ALONG ! EV5+ PA?S :ILE ,SALKA COOK$ ! FATTE/ ( ! FI% = US1 WRAPP+ \R HUT AB\T ) ITS DELICI\S /9K4 

,I WAS HALFWAY UPHILL T[>DS ! CAMP BE=E ,I REALIZ$ ?AT !RE WAS NO NOISE4 

,I ?R[ ! SLICK :ITE FI%BONES FROM ME1 D[N 9TO ! RIV] :]E !Y BOB = BUT A MOM5T !N SUBM]GE4 ,I FANCY ?AT ,I SEE !M SWIM AWAY B5EA? ! WAT]1 & ,I 5T]TA9 A RIV] :]E NAU<T SAVE ! SKELETONS ( FI%ES GLIDE & D>T & COMB ! CURR5TS ) !IR NAK$ RIBS4 ,I /& & MAKE TO WADE D[N/REAM1 BACK TO MY FAMILY4 ,I FEEL ! SORR[ GA!R+ AB\T ME1 & ,I WANT TO BE ) !M4 

,I WALK$ 9TO ! WILLAGE ) MY POLES ACROSS MY %\LD] & A SACK ( MEAT & FEA!RS 9 MY H&4 ,! SUPP]-FIRES W]E BURN+ L[ & SOME:]E (F BETWE5 ! HUTS ,I FANCI$ ?AT A DOG WAS B>K+1 ?\< ,I N[ REMEMB] ?AT ! SMELL ( DOG WAS EV]Y:]E4 ,IT MAY HAVE BE5 ! SMELL ?AT MADE ME ?9K ,I HE>D ! NOISE4 

,JU/ PA/ ! OP5 GATE ! RELIC /ONES ( ,G>NSMI?'S ,=GE DREW MY ATT5TION4 ,9 !IR C5T]1 :]E ! MOSS GREW BRI<TE/ GRE51 WAS N[ AN UGLY SCOR* ( BLACK4 ,IT LOOK$ AS ?\< A MON/R\S R$-HOT COOK+ B[L HAD BE5 SET D[N1 DROPP$ 9 RELIEF BY SWEAT+ M5 ) BLI/]$ H&S4 

,NO S\ND CAME FROM ! BEA/-P5S ( ! 9N] CAMP TO DR[N MY HESITAT+ /EP :I*1 AL?\< LI<T1 WAS DEAF5+ AMONG ! GAP+ HUTS4 ,HALFWAY ALONG ! C5T] /REET1 !RE 9 ! DU/1 ,I F\ND A SET ( O*]$ ANTL]S TRAIL+ BROK5 /R+S4 ,I DID NOT D>E TO PICK !M UP4 ,I GAZ$ AT !M A MOM5T1 !N PASS$ ON4 

,A MEAL HALF-EAT54 ,CORN QU]NS1 SMOO? & NEW1 LEFT /ACK$ AGA9/ A WALL4 ,! BLACK FLIES ON A HAUN* ( LAMB2 !IR SMALL1 VILE MURMUR+S AS L\D AS M54 ,! CURTA9 ( A JAKES NOT LONG S9CE US$ HUNG OP51 DRI$ LEAVES 9 A H&-FULL !RE UNT\*$ BESIDE ! REEK+ HOLE4 ,FROM ! UNT5D$1 DW9DL+ FIRES GREAT G\TS ( SMOKE W\LD ROLL ACROSS ! TRACKWAYS :]E ,I WALK$1 SO ?AT !SE ?+S W]E BRIEFLY GLIMPS$1 !N GONE1 AS 9 A DREAM4 ,! HOLE 9 ,JEMM] ,PICKEY'S RO( HE'D SWORN TO M5D S9CE W9T] LA/4 ,AN OLD MAN'S SUN-HAT FLOAT+ 9 A PUDDLE4 ,WA%]WOM5'S ROCKS1 /ILL C[L$ ) LONG-DRY CLO?+4 ,H]E A SOLIT>Y FOOTPR9T4 ,!RE A POOL ( SICK4 

,\TSIDE \R HUT1 MY BOY HAD FAIL$ TO CLE> AWAY A GAME ?AT HE HAD LATELY TAK5 TO1 9VOLV+ LITTLE M5-9-K9D ,I'D C>V$ = HIM FROM PEBBLES4 ,SET AS = A HUNT1 HE HAD !M SPREAD ACROSS ! OP5 DOOR & R+$ AB\T SOME ANIMAL HE'D FA%ION$ \T ( /ICKS4 ,I ?\<T P]HAPS IT WAS A WOLF4 ,/EPP+ ACROSS ?IS SMALL1 AB&ON$ SLAU<T]1 ,I DECID$ ?AT HE MU/ BE SCOLD$1 ?\< NOT H>D1 = LEAV+ ALL HIS NONS5SE /REWN SO C>ELESSLY AB\T4 

,! HUT WAS D>K4 ,MY LITTLE GIRL WAS SITT+ 9 ! %AD[S ON ITS FUR!/ SIDE4 ,I SPOKE SOME WORDS ?AT ,I CANNOT RECALL TO H] &1 /EPP+ =W>D1 SAW ?AT %E WAS NO?+ BUT A PILE ( FURS ?AT = A MOM5T 9 ! D>K HAD SEEM$ TO HOLD H] %APE1 SAT !RE ) KNEES DRAWN UP1 H] HEAD TIPP$ BACK ! WAY %E SOMETIMES HELD IT4 ,ONLY FUR4 ,! HUT WAS EMPTY4 ,= A MOM5T ALL ,I DID WAS /& !RE 9 ! GLOOM2 ! SIL5CE4 ,NO?+ HAPP5$4 ,I W5T BACK \TSIDE1 /EPP+ ACROSS MY SON'S AB&ON$ GAME ) C>E1 SO ?AT HE %\LD NOT F9D IT SPOIL$ :5 HE RETURN$4 

,ACROSS ! SIL5T WILLAGE TO ! WE/ ! SUN WAS DR[N+ 9 A PURPLE CL\D4 ,I CUPP$ MY H&S >\ND MY M\? & YELL$ HELLO4 ,I HE>D IT E*O ON ! EMPTY BEA/-P5'S CURV+ WALL & !N1 AFT] A MOM5T1 CALL$ AGA94 ,! YAWN+ HUTS DID NOT REPLY4 ,!IR QUIET SEEM$ UNEASY1 JU/ AS IF !RE W]E SOME AWFUL NEWS !Y C\LD NOT BR+ !MSELVES TO %>E ) ME4 ,I CALL$ AGA91 :ILE DUSK FELL ALL AB\T4 

,AFT] A :ILE1 ,I SAT D[N 9 ! MIDDLE ( ! MAN-%AP$ /ONES SET 9 A R+ \TSIDE \R DOOR4 ,I PICK$ ONE UP & LOOK$ AT IT4 ,NO BIGG] ?AN MY ?UMB1 IT BULG$ AT TOP & BOTTOM1 N>R[ 9 ! MIDDLE ?AT IT MI<T SUGGE/ A NECK4 ,I'D SCRAT*$ ! LIK5ESS ( A FACE !RE ON ! SMALL]1 UPP] BULGE4 ,I'D MEANT TO MAKE HIM SMILE BUT1 TURN+ IT TO CAT* ! FAIL+ LI<T1 C\LD SEE ?AT ,I'D BE5 CLUMSY ) MY AWL1 SO ?AT IT SEEM$ AS IF HE W]E 9/EAD =EV] %\T+ SOME?+ ) GREAT URG5CY1 =EV] BEYOND HE>+4 

,AS ,I T\*$ ! /ONE ,I TOOK A FANCY ?AT IT WAS /ILL W>M FROM MY SON'S H& & RAIS$ IT TO MY NOSE ?AT ,I MI<T SMELL HIM ON IT4 ,REASON LEFT ME !N4 ,I PUT ! PEBBLE 9 MY M\? & ,I BEGAN TO WEEP4 
,CRANE-LEGG$1 ,I /EP D[N/REAM N[1 C>EFUL NOT TO LET ! CURR5T RU% ME ON TOO FA/4 ,ABOVE ! S\RNESS ( ! RAM'S WOOL ON MY TONGUE IT IS AS IF ,I TA/E ?AT PEBBLE YET4 ,I HURRY ON1 ?AT ,I MI<T BE BESIDE MY NEWE/ WIFE & Y\NG BE=E ,I AM QUITE OV]COME BY MEMORY4 
,I SAT !RE 9 ! R+ ( PEBBLES ALL ?AT NI<T4 ,SOMETIMES ,I WEPT & MOAN$4 ,SOMETIMES ,I SANG A LITTLE ( ! J\RNEY-BOY4 ,) DAWN1 ,I /OOD & WALK$ BACK ?R\< ! EMPTY WILLAGE4 ,ALL ! FIRES W]E D[N TO COLD GRAY DU/1 & = A :ILE ,I PLAY$ A SORRY GAME :]E ,I IMAG9$ EV]YONE WAS BUT ASLEEP1 AB\T TO R\SE & /RET* & /AGG] CURS+1 JOK+1 \T 9TO ! WAK+ DAY1 BUT NO ONE CAME4 

,I W5T BACK ?R\< ! GATES & NEXT WALK$ ONCE & ONCE AGA9 AB\T ! \TSIDE ( ! CAMP4 ,!RE W]E NO FOOTPR9TS !RE1 NOR ANY FLATT5$ WE$S AS :]E A TRIBE ( MANY FAMILIES HAD FL$ D[NHILL1 OR :]E AS MANY FOEM5 HAD CREPT UP4 ,SAVE = ! A%-SC>R$ TURF 9 ,G>NSMI?'S ,=GE1 A BURN NO MORE ?AN HALF A MAN 9 WID?1 !RE WAS NO SIGN ( FIRE1 & NEI!R WAS !RE ANY M>K ( WOLVES OR1 SAV+ = ! VOMIT 9 ! /REET1 ( SUDD5 PLAGUE4 

,I /UMBL$ TO ! BOTTOM ( ! HILL & CIRCL$ ALL AB\T ITS BASE1 !N WALK$ BACK UP4 ,MAK+ MY WAY BACK ?R\< ! SIL5CE TO MY FAMILY'S HUT1 ,I CRAWL$ 9SIDE TO SIT4 ,I SAW1 ) RIS+ ANG]1 ?AT MY WIFE HAD LEFT H] CA/(F CLO?+ ?R[N AB\T ! FLOOR1 A LAZY HABIT ON BEHALF ( :I* ,I'D (T5 SCOLD$ H]4 ,CURS+ H] SLO?FUL WAYS B5EA? MY BREA?1 ,I CRAWL$ AB\T UPON MY KNEES & GA!R$ UP ! SCATT]$ RAGS4 

,H] BREE*ES SMELL$ ( H]4 ,I RAIS$ !M TO MY LIPS & KISS$ !M2 SANK MY FACE DEEP 9TO !M :]E IT WAS /ALE1 & RANK1 & GOOD4 ,MY WILL GREW /IFF B5EA? MY BREEKS1 SO ?AT ,I REA*$ TO PULL IT FREE !N RUBB$ MY H& UPON IT1 WILDLY BACK & =?4 ,! MILK SPLA%$ ?R\< MY F+]S1 FELL 9 BEADS UPON A MAT ( GRASS \R DAU<T] MADE4 ,NO SOON] HAD ! SPASM PASS$ ?AN ,I BEGAN TO WEEP ONCE MORE1 MY SE$ GR[N ?ICK & COLD UPON MY PALM4 

,AFT] ! TE>S1 !RE CAME A SUDD5 & 5ORM\S DREAD1 SO ?AT ,I C\LD NOT BREA!4 ,I RAN \T FROM ! HUT4 ,I RAN \T FROM ! WILLAGE & AWAY D[NHILL1 MY LIMP WILL FLAPP+ AS ,I RAN & SLIPP$ & /UMBL$4 ,:5 ,I REA*$ ! BOTTOM ,I D>E NOT LOOK BACK1 = !RE WAS SOME?+ T]RIBLE AB\T ?OSE MUTE & CLU/]$ RO(TOPS1 ?AT DEAD SKYL9E4 ,I RAN ON1 SOBB+ & GASP+1 ON ACROSS ! FIELDS1 A GR\NDFOG BLUR ( SE$+ D&ELIONS AB\T MY FEET1 & DID NOT /OP UNTIL ,I REA*$ ! RIV]SID]'S SETTLEM5T A LITTLE AFT] NOON4 

,I RAV$ AT !M1 & ASK$ IF A GREAT MANY PEOPLE HAD PASS$ BY ?IS WAY ( LATE2 IF !RE HAD BE5 SOME DIRE CATA/ROPHE2 IF !RE HAD BE5 AN OM5 9 ! />S4 ,!Y />$1 & CALL$ !IR *ILDR5 BACK 9SIDE 'TIL ,I'D PASS$ ON4 ,I %\T$ AT ! CLOS+ DOORS & TOLD !M ?AT ! PEOPLE FROM ! HILL CAMP W]E ALL GONE1 BUT IF !Y UND]/OOD ME1 !Y DID NOT BELIEVE4 ,:5 ,I W\LD NOT BE QUIET1 A BIG MAN ) A H>E-LIP GRABB$ ME BY MY >M & DRAGG$ ME TO ! \TSKIRTS1 :]E HE CA/ ME 9 ! DIRT & SAID ?AT ,I %\LD GO & NOT RETURN1 HIS GRUFF WORDS SME>+ ON HIS PALATE'S CLEFT4 

,I HAD NO:]E TO GO1 SAVE = ! ,DR[N+S4 

,I RECLAIM$ MY SPOT BESIDE ! RIV] JU/ AS D>KNESS FELL4 ,MY HIDE WAS /ILL 9TACT :]E ,I HAD LEFT IT1 ) ! ROBE ( RU%ES ROLL$ 9SIDE4 ,UPON MY BELLY1 ,I CRAWL$ 9 & PULL$ MY BIRD-CLOAK UP TO COV] ME1 & !RE ,I SLEPT1 ALL ( ?AT NI<T & ALL ! NEXT DAY AS ONE DEAD B5EA? ! SWOLL51 PREGNANT GRAVE ?AT WAS MY HIDE4 ,!RE NEV] WAS A TIME :5 ,I WAS MORE ALONE4 
,I'VE LIV$ H]E 9 ! ,DR[N+S EV] S9CE1 & 9 ?AT TIME HAVE F\ND ANO!R FAMILY1 ANO!R ,SALKA1 & ,I AM ALONE NO MORE1 NOR MADD5$ ) BEWILD]M5T & GRIEF4 

,I SEE !M N[1 AHEAD ( ME1 SAT RE/+ ON ! BANK D[N :]E ! RIV] CURVES2 L5G!N MY /EP ?AT ,I MAY BE UPON !M SOON]1 /RID+ ?R\< ! $DIES1 /ALK+ D[N ! %ALL[ & CASCAD+ /EPS :]E SLIPP]Y MOSSES DRIFT LIKE BANN]S 9 ! FL[4 ,I HAVE NOT TAK5 (F MY /ILTS = MANY MOONS1 & !RE >E SORES UPON MY WAT]-WR9KL$ LEGS4 

,SALKA LIFTS UP H] HEAD TO WAT* AS ,I APPROA*1 AL]T$ BY MY SPLA%+4 ,SOON1 ! LITTLE ONES >E LOOK+ ALSO AS ,I RU% T[>DS !M1 TEET]+1 PREC>I\S & EAG] = !IR CONSOLATION1 FALL+ =W>D MORE ?AN RUNN+ N[4 ,I LIFT MY >MS AS IF 9 AN EMBRACE ?AT'S BIG 5\< TO SPAN ! DI/ANCE YET BETWE5 US1 FEA!R$ RU%ES HANG+ 9 LOOSE1 FLAPP+ FOLDS BEL[1 LIKE GREAT GRE5 W+S4 ,I CALL \T TO !M ?R\< ! W>P$ FLUTE ( MY BEAK4 ,I TELL !M ?AT ,I LOVE !M4 ,TELL !M ?AT ,I'LL NEV] GO AWAY4 

,MY VOICE IS CRACK$ & HIDE\S4 ,IT />TLES !M4 ,AS ONE1 AMID A MI<TY BEAT+1 !Y RISE UP 9TO ! D>K5+ SKY &1 9 A MOM5T1 !Y >E GONE FROM SI<T4 

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

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

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