Chapter 3

           Ineluctablemodalityofthevisible:atleastthatifnomore,thoughtthroughmyeyes.SignaturesofallthingsIamheretoread,seaspawnandseawrack,thenearingtide,thatrustyboot.Snotgreen,bluesilver,rust:colouredsigns.Limitsofthediaphane.Butheadds:inbodies.Thenhewasawareofthembodiesbeforeofthemcoloured.How?Byknockinghissconceagainstthem,sure.Goeasy.Baldhewasandamillionaire,maestrodicolorchesanno.Limitofthediaphanein.Whyin?Diaphane,adiaphane.Ifyoucanputyourfivefingersthroughititisagate,ifnotadoor.Shutyoureyesandsee.

           Stephenclosedhiseyestohearhisbootscrushcracklingwrackandshells.Youarewalkingthroughithowsomever.Iam,astrideatatime.Averyshortspaceoftimethroughveryshorttimesofspace.Five,six:thenacheinander.Exactly:andthatistheineluctablemodalityoftheaudible.Openyoureyes.No.Jesus!IfIfelloveracliffthatbeetleso’erhisbase,fellthroughthenebeneinanderineluctably!Iamgettingonnicelyinthedark.Myashswordhangsatmyside.Tapwithit:theydo.Mytwofeetinhisbootsareattheendsofhislegs,nebeneinander.Soundssolid:madebythemalletofLosDemiurgos.AmIwalkingintoeternityalongSandymountstrand?Crush,crack,crick,crick.Wildseamoney.DominieDeasykensthema’.

           Won’tyoucometoSandymount,

           Madelinethemare?

           Rhythmbegins,yousee.Ihear.Acatalectictetrameterofiambsmarching.No,agallop:delinethemare.

           Openyoureyesnow.Iwill.Onemoment.Hasallvanishedsince?IfIopenandamforeverintheblackadiaphane.