Волны

           Theydeckthebelovedwithgarlandsandwithlaurelleaves,thereontheringofturfwherethesteep-backedhillscomedown.Theprocessionpasses.Andwhileitpasses,Louis,weareawareofdownfalling,weforebodedecay.Theshadowslants.Wewhoareconspirators,withdrawntogethertoleanoversomecoldurn,notehowthepurpleflameflowsdownwards.’

           ’Deathiswoveninwiththeviolets,’saidLouis.’Deathandagaindeath.’)

           ’Howproudlywesithere,’saidJinny,’wewhoarenotyettwenty-five!Outsidethetreesflower;outsidethewomenlinger;outsidethecabsswerveandsweep.Emergedfromthetentativeways,theobscuritiesanddazzleofyouth,welookstraightinfrontofus,readyforwhatmaycome(thedooropens,thedoorkeepsonopening).Allisreal;allisfirmwithoutshadoworillusion.Beautyridesourbrows.Thereismine,thereisSusan’s.Ourfleshisfirmandcool.Ourdifferencesareclear-cutastheshadowsofrocksinfullsunlight.Besideusliecrisprolls,yellow-glazedandhard;thetable-clothiswhite;andourhandsliehalfcurled,readytocontract.Daysanddaysaretocome;winterdays,summerdays;wehavescarcelybrokenintoourhoard.Nowthefruitisswollenbeneaththeleaf.Theroomisgolden,andIsaytohim,"Come".’

           ’Hehasredears,’saidLouis,’andthesmellofmeathangsdowninadampnetwhilethecityclerkstakesnacksatthelunchbar.