Page 196

By Jack Joseph Smith

SAD ph ONE YVfpruidg Nancy Ary She had me in that way = uw sud. When we were back to back Defending very life, im one den after another Against the sex, + ; we of both kind sEd uc of wildcats Thote had a wilder , ~ of kind of smile sv \ across our teeth AGh Y And the history of our kids shows Through the best part Ever of trying theeseh all of American nety Ahm we caree fia our own

Original Scan

Page 196

AI Interpretation

GPT

This page remembers a back-to-back bond formed in dens and under threat, linking wild survival, children, and a rough version of American duty.

The poem treats intimacy as combat partnership rather than romance at a distance. Wildcats, teeth, and den life give the relationship a feral pride, while the mention of children shifts that energy into continuity and inheritance. Its closing loyalty matters because it is collective, not abstract: they cared for their own.


Claude

Nancy Ann (first draft, heavy marginalia): had me in that way when back to back defending life, against the sex of both kinds of wildcats. The history of our kids shows through the best part ever of trying through all of American.