Улісс

           Thosearenames.Rudy.SoonIamold.

           BigBenhisvoiceunfolded.GreatvoiceRichieGouldingsaid,aflushstrugglinginhispale,toBloomsoonold.Butwhenwasyoung?

           Irelandcomesnow.Mycountryabovetheking.Shelistens.Whofearstospeakofnineteenfour?Timetobeshoving.Lookedenough.

           —Blessme,father,Dollardthecroppycried.Blessmeandletmego.

           Tap.

           Bloomlooked,unblessedtogo.Gotuptokill:oneighteenbobaweek.Fellowsshelloutthedibs.Wanttokeepyourweathereyeopen.Thosegirls,thoselovely.Bythesadseawaves.Chorusgirl’sromance.Lettersreadoutforbreachofpromise.FromChickabiddy’sownyMumpsypum.Laughterincourt.Henry.Ineversignedit.Thelovelynameyou.

           Lowsankthemusic,airandwords.Thenhastened.Thefalsepriestrustlingsoldierfromhiscassock.Ayeomancaptain.Theyknowitallbyheart.Thethrilltheyitchfor.Yeomancap.

           Tap.Tap.

           Thrilledshelistened,bendinginsympathytohear.

           Blankface.Virginshouldsay:orfingeredonly.Writesomethingonit:page.Ifnotwhatbecomesofthem?Decline,despair.Keepsthemyoung.Evenadmirethemselves.See.Playonher.Lipblow.Bodyofwhitewoman,aflutealive.Blowgentle.Loud.Threeholes,allwomen.GoddessIdidn’tsee.Theywantit.Nottoomuchpolite.That’swhyhegetsthem.Goldinyourpocket,brassinyourface.Saysomething.Makeherhear.Withlooktolook.Songswithoutwords.Molly,thathurdygurdyboy.Sheknewhemeantthemonkeywassick.OrbecausesoliketheSpanish.Understandanimalstoothatway.Solomondid.Giftofnature.

           Ventriloquise.Mylipsclosed.