11.04.2021

to have space means to extend, and perhaps to move, to have place around one, defended or desired

It is conceivable that when one dies 
if one has leisure, realizing, suddenly, remembering 
that now there will be no one that will know one at some given moment, see 
or hear one, listen to 
one’s voice, one will discover, looking back 
whom formerly, if anyone, one loved, 
identifying them (in retrospect) by one’s remembrance of some satisfaction 
at something one had said to them—at having said it— 
that seemed to one informative, that is, 
an indication of oneself within the range of reason 
& observation: as though—we know there is no bridge— 
across the pillars of the bridge there isn’t one had jumped, delivered 
the letter, returned & now again was standing on the other side 
& felt that one had managed to put aside, in stealth, a little of oneself 
in trust which time now on its visits could not get at, 
search as it might one’s person: it was gone. 
The other had it. 
The selfish chance to make these dubious gifts of knowledge of oneself 
is lost at death. 
 
To have space means to extend, and perhaps to move, to have 
place around one, defended or 
desired. You can stretch, 
having lain down 
can get up. 
 
And perhaps walk some distance. 
 
Space stretches, extension, in all directions from any point 
at all times unaltered. 
 
The calculations of the engineers to whom sunlight moves notwithstanding, 
it is the shadow of perspective of the hypothetical eye, the sheer 
possibility of your movement onward, time 
permitting, your time. Could a man aging at an extremely low rate of speed 
move straight (as they say: straight) onward forever? 
 

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