MS-UoR-1477-8

[0041] huddled on the doorstep in the old green greatcoat
in the pale sun with the nightbag needless on your
knees not knowing where you were little by little
not knowing where you were or when you were or what
for place might have been uninhabited for all you
knew like that time on the stone the child on the
stone where none ever came

[0045] or alone in the same the same scenes making it up
that way to keep it going keep it out on the stone
(eyes close) alone on the end of the stone with the
wheat and blue or the towpath alone on the towpath
with the ghosts of the mules the drowned rat or bird
or whatever it was floating off into the sunset till
yous you could see it no more nothing stirring only
the water and the sun going down till it went down
and you vanished all vanished

[0046] none ever came but the child on the stone among the
giant nettles with the light coming in where the wall
had crumbled away poring on his book well on into the
night some moods the moonlight and they all out on
the roads looking for him or making up talk breaking
up two or more talking to himself being together that
way where none ever came

[0047] always winter then endless winter year after year as
if it couldn't end the old year never end like time
could go no further that time in the Post Office all ^bustle
Christmas x^bustle in off the street when no one was
looking out of the cold and rain pushed open the door
like anyone else and straight fot^r the table neither
right nor left with all the forms and the pens on
their chains sat down first vacant seat and were taking
a look round for a change before drowsing away

[0048] or that time alone on your back in the sand and no vows
to break the peace when was that an earlier time a later
time before she came after she went or both before she
came after she was gone and you back in the old scene
wherever it might be might have been the same old scene
before as then then as after with the rat or the wheat
the yellowing ears or that time in the sand the glider
passing over that time you went back soon after long
after