Chapter 3

           Theconcretehighwaywasedgedwithamatoftangled,broken,drygrass,andthegrassheadswereheavywithoatbeardstocatchonadog’scoat,andfoxtailstotangleinahorse’sfetlocks,andcloverburrstofasteninsheep’swool;sleepinglifewaitingtobespreadanddispersed,everyseedarmedwithanapplianceofdispersal,twistingdartsandparachutesforthewind,littlespearsandballsoftinythorns,andallwaitingforanimalsandforthewind,foraman’strousercufforthehemofawoman’sskirt,allpassivebutarmedwithappliancesofactivity,still,buteachpossessedoftheanlageofmovement.

           Thesunlayonthegrassandwarmedit,andintheshadeunderthegrasstheinsectsmoved,antsandantlionstosettrapsforthem,grasshopperstojumpintotheairandflicktheiryellowwingsforasecond,sowbugslikelittlearmadillos,ploddingrestlesslyonmanytenderfeet.Andoverthegrassattheroadsidealandturtlecrawled,turningasidefornothing,dragginghishigh-domedshelloverthegrass:Hishardlegsandyellow-nailedfeetthreshedslowlythroughthegrass,notreallywalking,butboostinganddragginghisshellalong.Thebarleybeardsslidoffhisshell,andthecloverburrsfellonhimandrolledtotheground.Hishornybeakwaspartlyopen,andhisfierce,humorouseyes,underbrowslikefingernails,staredstraightahead.Hecameoverthegrassleavingabeatentrailbehindhim,andthehill,whichwasthehighwayembankment,rearedupaheadofhim.Foramomenthestopped,hisheadheldhigh.