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What is it, to be? Slowly to fi nd yourself
already alive to some place, alone with
Purposes already forming; what is snake
intelligence but intelligence
First and last, snake experience
but wholly experience?
No king of darkness, no god, but something
as good, I think.... To live,
To live and at midday there, to be
a snake completely, very thirsty,
And drink your fi ll, at length, of
the clear Matilija.