the first step is always like this
the first step of another
it expresses the possibility of a world beyond it
and they have made it possible as the limit of what can be achieved
the first step is always like this
to go from this theatre to that theatre
and then be told to move to a new theatre of war
it expresses the possibility of a world
circumscribed in the movement
by the action
so they have allowed it
in the name of knowledge
that knowledge runs before it
as if to say in the beginning
was not the word
in the beginning it had all already been said
back up for a second
if the first step is always like this
so is the chance being the chance of a world beyond it
I’m not saying that they haven’t thought of that
that they haven’t made account of that contingency
but that they will not ask the question
what is the world? in the sure expectation
of a grounding on the other side
of the enemy finding his complement of force
and of the guide or the map or strategy leading us directly to him.
