Улисс

           Youngstudent.Hedrankadraughtofcoolerteatowashdownhismeal.Thenhereadtheletteragain:twice.

           O,well:sheknowshowtomindherself.Butifnot?No,nothinghashappened.Ofcourseitmight.Waitinanycasetillitdoes.Awildpieceofgoods.Herslimlegsrunningupthestaircase.Destiny.Ripeningnow.Vain:very.

           Hesmiledwithtroubledaffectionatthekitchenwindow.DayIcaughtherinthestreetpinchinghercheekstomakethemred.Anemicalittle.Wasgivenmilktoolong.OntheErin’sKingthatdayroundtheKish.Damnedoldtubpitchingabout.Notabitfunky.Herpalebluescarflooseinthewindwithherhair.

           Alldimpledcheeksandcurls,

           Yourheaditsimplyswirls.

           Seasidegirls.Tornenvelope.Handsstuckinhistrousers’pockets,jarveyofffortheday,singing.Friendofthefamily.Swurls,hesays.Pierwithlamps,summerevening,band.

           Thosegirls,thosegirls,

           Thoselovelyseasidegirls.

           Millytoo.Youngkisses:thefirst.Farawaynowpast.MrsMarion.Reading,lyingbacknow,countingthestrandsofherhair,smiling,braiding.

           Asoftqualm,regret,floweddownhisbackbone,increasing.Willhappen,yes.Prevent.Useless:can’tmove.Girl’ssweetlightlips.Willhappentoo.Hefelttheflowingqualmspreadoverhim.Uselesstomovenow.Lipskissed,kissing,kissed.Fullglueywoman’slips.

           Betterwheresheisdownthere:away.Occupyher.Wantedadogtopassthetime.Mighttakeatripdownthere.Augustbankholiday,onlytwoandsixreturn.Sixweeksoff,however.Mightworkapresspass.OrthroughM’Coy.