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  • Mythographic Shorthand
  • Lindsay Remee Ahl

You might have a lover who builds you a castle,and in the field beyond the pond, a lapwing makes her nest.

The long-legged mother, black and white, and beautifully agile,will pretend to have a broken wing to lure you around and away.

"Lapwing" means "disguise the secret."

Your lover might work as a code breaker and believe        that no code is unbreakable, just give him time.

I was soaring over the city in the rain at nightwhen I saw all the lights in all the buildings,all the people, lines on their lips, veins with blood rushing,pulsing at their throats.

You can see anything, given enough time.

Even Zeus once disguised himself as a lapwing, taking that delicate walk        all the way around the field.

Breaking code might look like dancing without music,        beyond music, where music is a source of uncertainty.

Like the code for love and trust: watch her walk in all her radiance,

        and you might think the nest            is over there. [End Page 781]

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