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There are a lot of things

that slip through the fingers

& become like vacant lots

where later you say,

I knew her when...

but you are only speaking

in riddles with unwavering

accuracy if you think that

the spirit of the past

does not remain. It is true

that things that come easily,

go easily, but sitting around

waiting for the photo to lie

is like touching the bottom

of the swamp, as if it were an

arrangement made in heaven.