The Cave

Someone standing at the mouth had

the idea to enter. To go further

than light or language could

go. As they followed

the idea, light and language followed

like two wolves—panting, hearing themselves

panting. A shapeless scent

in the damp air ...

Keep going, the idea said.

Someone kept going. Deeper and deeper, they saw

others had been there. Others had left

objects that couldn’t have found their way

there alone. Ocher-stained shells. Bird bones. Grounded

hematite. On the walls,

as if stepping into history, someone saw

their purpose: cows. Bulls. Bison. Deer. Horses—

some pregnant, some slaughtered.

The wild-

life seemed wild and alive, moving

when someone moved, casting their shadows

on the shadows stretching

in every direction. Keep going,

the idea said again. Go ...

Someone continued. They followed the idea so far inside that

outside was another idea.