Extract Four

Empedocles:
Why does an octopus change its colour?
Not just out of cowardice.
Minute particles detached from rocks and sprayed by the sea pass into its porous skin; but, when the creature is frightened, it contracts its body so that these effluences are held on the surface of the skin and do not penetrate.

There are effluences from all things in existence.
Emanations, emanations.
Constant bombarding.
Tiny pieces seek pores into which they lovingly burrow.
Rivets of affection.
What will fit through this skin, and glide slide into me? What have I become?
 

Copyright John Sutton 1999.

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