Американские боги

           Inmyownvisionofmyself,Iamascholarwholivesquietly,andpenshislittletales,anddreamsaboutapastthatmayormaynoteverhaveexisted.Andthatistrue,asfarasitgoes.ButIamalso,inoneofmycapacities,likesomanyofthepeopleyouhavechosentoassociatewith,apsychopomp.Iescortthelivingtotheworldofthedead."

           "Ithoughtthiswastheworldofthedead,"saidShadow.

           "No.Notperse.It’smoreofapreliminary."

           Theboatslippedandslidacrossthemirror-surfaceoftheundergroundpool.Thebird-headofthecreatureattheprowstaredahead.AndthenMr.Ibissaid,withoutmovingitsbeak,"Youpeopletalkaboutthelivingandthedeadasiftheyweretwomutuallyexclusivecategories.Asifyoucannothaveariverthatisalsoaroad,orasongthatisalsoacolor."

           "Youcan’t,"saidShadow."Canyou?"Theechoeswhisperedhiswordsbackathimfromacrossthepool.

           "Whatyouhavetoremember,"saidMr.Ibis,testily,"isthatlifeanddeatharedifferentsidesofthesamecoin.Liketheheadsandtailsofaquarter."

           "AndifIhadadouble-headedquarter?"

           "Youdon’t.Theyonlybelongtofools,andgods."

           Shadowhadafrisson,then,astheycrossedthedarkwater.