Улисс

           Newsetofmicrobes.Amanwithaninfant’ssaucestainednapkintuckedroundhimshovelledgurglingsoupdownhisgullet.Amanspittingbackonhisplate:halfmasticatedgristle:gums:noteethtochewchewchewit.Chumpchopfromthegrill.Boltingtogetitover.Sadbooser’seyes.Bittenoffmorethanhecanchew.AmIlikethat?Seeourselvesasothersseeus.Hungrymanisanangryman.Workingtoothandjaw.Don’t!O!Abone!ThatlastpagankingofIrelandCormacintheschoolpoemchokedhimselfatSlettysouthwardoftheBoyne.Wonderwhathewaseating.Somethinggaloptious.SaintPatrickconvertedhimtoChristianity.Couldn’tswallowitallhowever.

           —Roastbeefandcabbage.

           —Onestew.

           Smellsofmen.Spat-onsawdust,sweetishwarmishcigarettesmoke,reekofplug,spiltbeer,men’sbeerypiss,thestaleofferment.

           Hisgorgerose.

           Couldn’teatamorselhere.Fellowsharpeningknifeandforktoeatallbeforehim,oldchappickinghistootles.Slightspasm,full,chewingthecud.Beforeandafter.Graceaftermeals.Lookonthispicturethenonthat.Scoffingupstewgravywithsoppingsippetsofbread.Lickitofftheplate,man!Getoutofthis.

           Hegazedroundthestooledandtabledeaters,tighteningthewingsofhisnose.

           —Twostoutshere.

           —Onecornedandcabbage.

           Thatfellowrammingaknifefulofcabbagedownasifhislifedependedonit.Goodstroke.Givemethefidgetstolook.Safertoeatfromhisthreehands.Tearitlimbfromlimb.Secondnaturetohim.Bornwithasilverknifeinhismouth.That’switty,Ithink.Orno.Silvermeansbornrich.Bornwithaknife.