Sublime

in a frenzy of commerce,

from hat to shoe

that pleased him fundamentally.

‘An ingenious species,’ I said to Charlie, who made no reply.

quiet as the grave.

For an instant I was surprised by this, then not.

the peril his attitude was leading him toward,

Accepting my role of nonparticipant,

he reminded me of a mole or some other type of burrowing animal: