Межзвёздный скиталец

           ItwasborneinuponmethatwiththetipofthiswandImusttoucheachstarinpassing.AndIknew,inallabsoluteness,thatdidIbutmissonestarIshouldbeprecipitatedintosomeunplummetedabyssofunthinkableandeternalpunishmentandguilt.

           LongIpursuedmystarryquest.WhenIsay“long,”youmustbearinmindtheenormousextensionoftimethathadoccurredinmybrain.ForcenturiesItrodspace,withthetipofmywandandwithunerringeyeandhandtappingeachstarIpassed.Everthewaygrewbrighter.Evertheineffablegoalofinfinitewisdomgrewnearer.AndyetImadenomistake.Thiswasnootherselfofmine.Thiswasnoexperiencethathadoncebeenmine.IwasawareallthetimethatitwasI,DarrellStanding,whowalkedamongthestarsandtappedthemwithawandofglass.Inshort,Iknewthatherewasnothingreal,nothingthathadeverbeennorcouldeverbe.Iknewthatitwasnothingelsethanaridiculousorgyoftheimagination,suchasmenenjoyindrugdreams,indelirium,orinmereordinaryslumber.

           Andthen,asallwentmerryandwellwithmeonmycelestialquest,thetipofmywandmissedastar,andontheinstantIknewIhadbeenguiltyofagreatcrime.Andontheinstantaknock,vastandcompulsive,inexorableandmandatoryasthestampoftheironhoofofdoom,smotemeandreverberatedacrosstheuniverse.Thewholesiderealsystemcoruscated,reeledandfellinflame.