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Letter to Mary


I tried to get to see your grandchildren.  I phoned the one shop at
Sepanaphudi. The manual operator put me through. I asked him if he
knew the Theleles.  Yes, he said, they’re all here, who do you want to
speak to? 

I phoned the next day, spoke to one of them.  Didn’t get his name, but he
knew mine. Mr Robert?  Come and see us quickly.   Bring clothes, girls’
clothes, and food.  We are all without job. Can you come tomorrow?
Put off by his desperation, I didn’t go.

I'll still come one of these days and visit your grave.  Because long ago
you carried me from the noise into the sunlight.  How much I’ve tried to
pay my debt to you. Only to find out that debts of guilt are endless. And
debts of love? There are no debts of love.
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