Волны

           Afewpolicemenstandatthecorners.Yetnightisbeginning.Ifeelmyselfshininginthedark.Silkisonmyknee.Mysilklegsrubsmoothlytogether.Thestonesofanecklaceliecoldonmythroat.Myfeetfeelthepinchofshoes.Isitboltuprightsothatmyhairmaynottouchthebackoftheseat.Iamarrayed,Iamprepared.Thisisthemomentarypause;thedarkmoment.Thefiddlershaveliftedtheirbows.

           ’Nowthecarslidestoastop.Astripofpavementislighted.Thedoorisopeningandshutting.Peoplearearriving;theydonotspeak;theyhastenin.Thereistheswishingsoundofcloaksfallinginthehall.Thisistheprelude,thisisthebeginning.Iglance,Ipeep,Ipowder.Allisexact,prepared.Myhairissweptinonecurve.Mylipsarepreciselyred.Iamreadynowtojoinmenandwomenonthestairs,mypeers.Ipassthem,exposedtotheirgaze,astheyaretomine.Likelightningwelookbutdonotsoftenorshowsignsofrecognition.Ourbodiescommunicate.Thisismycalling.Thisismyworld.Allisdecidedandready;theservants,standinghere,andagainhere,takemyname,myfresh,myunknownname,andtossitbeforeme.Ienter.

           ’Herearegiltchairsintheempty,theexpectantrooms,andflowers,stiller,statelier,thanflowersthatgrow,spreadgreen,spreadwhite,againstthewalls.Andononesmalltableisoneboundbook.ThisiswhatIhavedreamt;thisiswhatIhaveforetold.Iamnativehere.Itreadnaturallyonthickcarpets.Islideeasilyonsmooth-polishedfloors,Inowbegintounfurl,inthisscent,inthisradiance,asafernwhenitscurledleavesunfurl.Istop.