081413 #worm Him and me walk on down the plank highway, among the reeds and willows. Me runs on ahead, on down toward the sandy beach in the days before the river stank. The willow-haired girl is waiting there for him in a cornflower dress. She's wearing her hat. The lantern is low. Me holds out his arm for her; she boards the stolen boat. Me pushes off and pulls his last foot aboard rakishly, a moment before certain soggery among the writhing weed-weirs at the water's edge. She smiles--good. He hasn't overdone it yet. He plies at the loamy bottom with a long pole. The boat abandons its former master, and surrenders to the current.