THE VISITORS they come to us mostly when we are asleep a knock on the door or suddenly there at our side one is dressed better than we remember and he is a better talker and generally sharper though still diffident as he takes us aside one by one to say I really did the things you've heard it's not a dream no one's fault but mine I'm sorry but I went away to get help or the other who is there while you weep and knows you were remembering and she says it's all right I'm OK but she is sad too and weeps with you and reaches for your hand you want to pull away but she holds you don't eat the food I began to eat yesterday she says the water I have drunk you should put away the grass comes up again but I will never be back from the place more real than anywhere you've been and she pushes you away and you sit up in the dark your face is wet you put your hand to it and your hand is cold