Lincoln in the Bardo

by George Saunders

I am Willie I am Willie I am even yet Am not Willie Not willie but somehow Less More All is Allowed now All is allowed me now All is allowed lightlightlight me now Getting up out of bed and going down to the party, allowed Candy bees, allowed Chunks of cake, allowed! Punch (even rum punch), allowed! Let that band play louder! Swinging from the chandelier, allowed; floating up to ceiling, allowed; going to window to have a look out, allowed allowed allowed! Flying out window, allowed, allowed (the entire laughing party of guests happily joining behind me, urging me to please, yes, fly away) (saying oh, he feels much better now, he does not seem sick at all!)! Whatever that former fellow (willie) had, must now be given back (is given back gladly) as it never was mine (never his) and therefore is not being taken away, not at all! As I (who was of willie but is no longer (merely) of willie) return To such beauty. willie lincoln