On the last afternoon of the conference
the phenomenologists visit La Rocca.
They are surprised there is no entrance fee
for such a tourist attraction.
Then, by the cold inside.
Ruts of the rock breathe dark red air
from the fifteenth century at them,
making it hard to light cigarettes.
The phenomenologists cluster
in a passageway,
arguing
a point of Dasein from
the morning's seminar.
Some exit by a wrong door,
tumbling in a sudden light.
A small phenomenologist
from Brussels
plans to writ an article about the place
for a publisher in New York. He is eager
to ask the curator about the mirror,
and about hoarding,
but the question
is not understood
(She perceives him
to be inquiring
after the difficulty
of piloting herself about La Rocca
on high-heeled shoes, such as she
is wearing.
She asserts vigorously, "E difficile.")

¶ 7:06 PM