Улисс

           Timeenough,understandallthewaysoftheworld.Andthedarkonewiththemopheadandtheniggermouth.Iknewshecouldwhistle.Mouthmadeforthat.LikeMolly.WhythathighclasswhoreinJammet’sworeherveilonlytohernose.Wouldyoumind,please,tellingmetherighttime?I’lltellyoutherighttimeupadarklane.Sayprunesandprismsfortytimeseverymorning,cureforfatlips.Caressingthelittleboytoo.Onlookersseemostofthegame.Ofcoursetheyunderstandbirds,animals,babies.Intheirline.

           Didn’tlookbackwhenshewasgoingdownthestrand.Wouldn’tgivethatsatisfaction.Thosegirls,thosegirls,thoselovelyseasidegirls.Fineeyesshehad,clear.It’sthewhiteoftheeyebringsthatoutnotsomuchthepupil.DidsheknowwhatI?Course.Likeacatsittingbeyondadog’sjump.WomennevermeetonelikethatWilkinsinthehighschooldrawingapictureofVenuswithallhisbelongingsonshow.Callthatinnocence?Pooridiot!Hiswifehasherworkcutoutforher.NeverseethemsitonabenchmarkedWetPaint.Eyesalloverthem.Lookunderthebedforwhat’snotthere.Longingtogetthefrightoftheirlives.Sharpasneedlestheyare.WhenIsaidtoMollythemanatthecornerofCuffestreetwasgoodlooking,thoughtshemightlike,twiggedatoncehehadafalsearm.Had,too.Wheredotheygetthat?TypistgoingupRogerGreene’sstairstwoatatimetoshowherunderstandings.Handeddownfromfatherto,mothertodaughter,Imean.Bredinthebone.Millyforexampledryingherhandkerchiefonthemirrortosavetheironing.