(Aftermath to the Night in College)

(I had thought myself alone in the college. Petty theft from empty rooms.

Leave a surprise under the desk I will later occupy. Silver tinfoil.

Now in full day I descend the back stair. And come at the bottom of the spiral to a door. It is the priest's door.

I see his name written in the wood. Homely brown.

Down the stairs behind me a redhaired girl bustles with her bag. Brushes past me and straight through the priest's door closing it behind her.

Must be a Catholic girl.

And if I could only go in too.

Instead I see the big window. And outside of it the big vista. A winter field illuminated by a summer sun. Like a hologram of Van Gogh. Spectral in liquid and frost.

And my bare feet feel free.

I realise I can leave the college any time I like. And if I can leave why not leave.

Take the back road.)