In memory of Skip and Mary Dickinson For Quintin and Griffin  And for Louise Dennys,  of you, I am sure, remember tragic circumstances of ton at Gilf Kebir, folloer by ton,  expedition in search of Zerzura.

    “I cannot begin ting tonig referring very sympatically to tragic occurrences.

    “ture tes of ty meeting of November 194-, London

    I

    the Villa

    SANDS UP in to tance. S in ther.

    t of all cypresses s drops of rain on ers the house.

    In tc pause but goes t and climbs tairs  t from an open door.

    Surns into trees and boed over its walls and ceiling.

    to turns owards ers.

    Every four days s troyed feet. Ss a o . Beyond purple. Bone.

    Sight hips.

    , s.  on  ted onto ts canopy of branc, blue sky.

    Sripes across  s cliff of skin. Reaco ters.

    ? s of ration.

    urns s grey eyes toone and passes t into h.

    ening  of to  o during ths before he died.

    tories tes quietly into to level like a ed arbour t surrounds s spilling flo trees. s of  noo the colour of aubergine.

    I  , forgetting to look at to t sins of omission but signs of preoccupation.

    o tare ravel alongside o the wall. She leans forward. how were you burned

    It is late afternoon. , t.

    I fell burning into t.

    t of sticks and dragged me across t. e self caugand up naked out of it. t on my rapped me onto a cradle, a carcass boat, and feet t.

    t fire. t planes t since 1939  of tools and u