CONDENSED NOVEL

SHUN the abundant paragraphs With which a novelist interviews shades Of physical appearance in one man, And regard the body of Alvin Spar Curtained by more aristocratic words. “Alvin Spar in adolescence Was neither slim nor rotund, But slightly aware of future corpulence. The face that Aristotle may have had Was interfering, bit by bit, With an outer face of pouting curves. Alvin Spar in youth Held half of the face that Aristotle May have had, and the pungent directness Of a stable-boy. Alvin Spar in middle age Had the face that Aristotle May have had—a large austerity Disputing the bloom of well-selected emotions. Straight nose, thick lips, low forehead Were apprentices to the austerity That often stepped beyond them. Alvin Spar in old age Had drawn the wrinkled bed-quilts Over the face that Aristotle May have had, but his eyes peered out, Fighting with sleep.” Shuffle the cards on which I have written Alvin Spar’s changes in physical appearance, And deal them out to the various players. Accident first, then the qualities of the players— These two will struggle to dominate The movements of the plot. The plot of this novel will ascend In twenty lines and escape The honoured adulteration so dear to men. “Alvin Spar loved a woman Who poured acid on his slumber By showing him the different fools within him. Sincerely longing for wisdom He married her, while she desired A pupil whom she could lazily beat. She convinced him that emotions Were simply periods of indecision Within the mind, and with emphasis He walked to another woman. The second woman loved him, But she was merely to him Clay for mental sculpture. She killed herself, believing That he might become to her in death A figure less remote and careful. He forgot her in an hour And used the rest of his life In finding women over whom he could tower.... He died while madly straying over his heights.” The incidental people, chatter, and background? You will find them between Pages one and four-hundred Of the latest bulk in prose.