self onto another is less than nothing at all. I have found the Colossus and been enfolded.
A whale’s ribcage is almost visible against the sky, long and bleached white. The comfort of its linearity glows in a spectral nova. And there is something comforting about the length and breadth, the Road like a woman’s smooth brown leg extended into the infinite, her toe brushing the corona of the sun, heel pressing the rim of eradication. Yes, it alters and mutates and flicks through its shapes like a nickelodeon, but it cradles me and keeps me and I am defined more by Walls and Roads now than limbs and brain. It is a wide womb and I am born over and over.
It is a game we play. There is Vision here, to be stolen, seized, taken at knifepoint from the black-scaled baobab. Vision, yes, but no Will. Will has no meaning, or has lost it, under the dusty whitethorn leaves with their filtered light, no meaning behind or before the marauding Doors, no meaning in my palm or a greater one, crossed by arcane lines that I cannot read, cannot say. I move like the breath in a pan pipe, and walk as I may, but it ends in nothing, the Path determines. I am within the Colossus, within the Whale, and though my footfalls echo on its entrails and my voice stabs the lining of its stomach, I am in the fish and I go whither it swims. No meaning. I balance on a crown of babble, teetering and tottering on four-inch heels over a cobblestone Road, straps of biting black scoring my ankles with pricks of blood like decimals. The fan of four bones demarcate. My stride is weary with gin-streaked sighs. Grey sky wind in my face and breath of thorns. Swamps and marshes and crushed cellos, cracked air and bamboo beatings. There is no other than this Road that looks so linear and ever-going. Plod, plod, plod, one lacquered/unlacquered toe after another, red, white, red. Into the horizon, perpendicular I against the degreeless slope of hills and dales. All the paints in my boxes are ash, all the inks black. I carve my world in monochrome.
I am at the sword-point of all amplitude and fold/unfolding. I reside in voluminous wreckage. It is beautiful, the hide of the leviathan reflected in mud-brick and trellis-work, the suggestion of a thing concealed: a Queen, a Talisman, a Treasure, a Castle, a Monster. At the very least some secret knowledge to be won. The threat of an oblong head rising blackly out of the water, lake beading off its reptilian brow makes the liquid promise shine with voluptuous beckoning. I am I, can be no other, and my little mind, encapsulated in skull and void, insists that a center exists within Wall after Wall. I promise myself not to think on it, knowing as well as I do that there is nothing, that the whisper is a lie, but I slip. I slip and drown in the root system of the Labyrinth.
3
Time flickers on and on.
A half-realized body stretches out coral-encrusted fingers to seize it. Useless, of course it is useless—each spindle-moment gone before my limbs could ever escape the glassine softness of their essential corporeality, could achieve escape velocity and roar away from themselves in a bloom of fire. I walk (will walk, have walked, I told you there is no coming and going here) in the Maze, a spinning silver coin in the sky, and the names of the flowers float out of my honeycombed skin, the mystic botany I once knew when I was (am, will be) wrapped in my sanguine turban. Crocus, narcissus, chrysanthemum, orchid. I name them for the air’s ears, for the benefit of the enclosing Walls, touching a thick petal with my tapered finger, one for each syllable. I walk rhythmically, battered tattered cloak folded under one arm.
Today it is warm and the sun is on my back like a peacock’s fan. Hibiscus. Asphodel. I carry the Gardens with me, and name the flowers in infinite repetitions, even in my sleep the names trickle from my lips like blood, like rainwater. Delphinium, amaranthus, asiatic lily. Lotus, pennyroyal, poinsettia, marigold. Roses and opiate poppies and bluebells. The rain-washed flagstones bear the imprints of my sandaled and unsandaled feet, my pleading knees, walking the same Path again and again. Nephthytis, larkspur, foxglove, hyacinth. I do not pull weeds or comb the soil. I often catalogue, to
<<Previous page Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 1 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 2 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 3 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 4 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 5 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 6 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 7 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 8 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 9 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 10 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 11 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 12 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 13 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 14 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 15 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 16 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 17 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 18 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 19 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 20 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 21 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 22 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 23 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 24 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 25 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 26 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 27 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 28 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 29 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 30 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 31 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 32 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 33 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 34 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 35 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 36 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 37 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 38 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 39 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 40 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 41 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 42 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 43 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 44 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 45 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 46 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 47 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 48 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 49 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 50 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 51 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 52 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 53 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 54 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 55 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 56 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 57 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 58 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 59 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 60 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 61 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 62 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 63 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 64 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 65 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 66 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 67 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 68 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 69 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 70 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 71 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 72 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 73 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 74 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 75 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 76 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 77 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 78 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 79 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 80 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 81 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 82 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 83 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 84 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 85 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 86 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 87 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 88 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 89 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 90 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 91 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 92 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 93 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 94 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 95 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 96 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 97 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 98 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 99 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 100 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 101 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 102 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 103 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 104 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 105 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 106 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 107 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 108 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 109 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 110 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 111 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 112 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 113 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 114 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 115 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 116 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 117 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 118 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 119 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 120 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 121 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 122 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 123 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 124 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 125 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 126 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 127 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 128 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 129 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 130 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 131 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 132 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 133 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 134 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 135 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 136 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 137 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 138 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 139 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 140 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 141 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 142 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 143 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 144 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 145 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 146 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 147 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 148 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 149 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 150 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 151 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 152 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 153 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 154 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 155 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 156 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 157 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 158 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 159 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 160 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 161 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 162 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 163 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 164 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 165 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 166 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 167 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 168 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 169 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 170 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 171 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 172 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 173 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 174 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 175 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 176 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 177 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 178 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 179 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 180 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 181 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 182 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 183 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 184 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 185 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 186 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 187 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 188 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 189 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 190 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 191 Myths of Origin Four Short Novels - By Catherynne M. Valente - Page 192
Next page>>