It (is right behind you)

You've never looked into my eyes but don't you want to know what the dark and the wild and the different know come dance with me now we'll dance without a care I'm as free as a fire and change is in the air

( . )

Jack Frost roasting on an open fire,
Chestnuts nipping at your nose.


(more wood, more wood)

[Estelle is feeling cat-like curious today. Who was that masked man? Who were those little children, anyway? Or, you know, the crazy equivalent thereof.]

BO'SUN. take the wheel.




                                  heeeeeere kitty kitty kitty kitty kitty kiddie

      come out come out wherever you are



                                                                     oh is it hide and seek?





TENnineeightSEVENsixFIVEFOURthreeTWO- bingo

(AND AWAY WE GO)

Honey we're almost almost oh so nearly returned to you darling summer home did you miss us did you pretty city painted all in charcoals and ink? Brought the brushes and the scalpels with us this time, we did. Going to paint you red red red and blue purple black, pretty facepaint flowers over bruises to see what sunsets we can find. Tulips are only pretty when they're dying did you ever notice that and babies are nicest when they're not crying. We're coming down descending with our tents and the pretty boys and girls who lurk behind the flaps, gird your loins and get yourself ready, Freddie, make sure you've got a good long stretch left on your lifeline for this is the show of a lifetime (whose? I'm not sure but I am sure of so very little these slipsliding days). You'll want long enough left to marinate in the dizzying aftermath of the sights and sounds. Light a cigarette. Moan a little at the memories, darling, do.

Lady lady lady, there's one two three four scars notched one just above the other neat as you please and sometimes I walking-dream the way your fingers flex to hold the knife. Lady lady lady with your pretty angry eyes, I found you a necklace all black leather and sent you an old man with a Tehran-shaped birthmark instead. Lady, there's no pinkness to the lines you drew anymore everything is all silver-grayed and dead, I've been busy remembering but may I have some more instead?