Maeve Gilmore: Titus Awakes (Abridged)
July 1960
Titus awoke from a haunted sleep.
A warmth of body lit up his whole spirit.
He pushed all the bed coverings away from him…
The door was wide open.
As the elements became more clement…
Darkness came earlier now.
As he left the hut he heard breathing behind him.
As the mist descended on the hut…
A boat picked him up.
Titus and his dog ran away from the viciousness…
So fire had been learned – skinning had been learned…
Titus awoke as the sun cooled…
Suddenly the flares picked out a body…
Dawn was breaking as the party entered the clearing.
Later that night, the fitful sleep…
As Titus lifted the wine to swallow at a gulp…
Titus and Dog found themselves on a narrow road…
As they talked, Titus had time to look…
When Titus awoke, he slowly remembered where he was…
Titus saw his anchorage in daylight.
It was time to go to Herbert Drumm's…
Although Titus had made little effort to be still…
As Titus and Dog walked back to Ruth's studio…
They slept deeply and innocently.
Titus joined Herbert on the outside steps…
'Do pour the tea, Titus…'
As he left the house, Titus thought of returning…
Titus was pushed beside Mick into the back of the car.
Titus awoke early in a rather drab little room…
Peregrine showed him what his tasks would be…
And so the days wore on, the nights wore out…
His feet led him along the road.
Once more he walked, and after some time…
They crossed the hall once more…
Titus could no longer stay.
Titus left the way he had come…
Titus was left alone with the woman and child.
They returned towards the back of the house…
As Titus walked he decided that whatever happened…
The ship moved slowly into harbour.
