Page 49

By Jack Joseph Smith

Even if I didn’t know how to look around by now I can tell these fellows intent, | pright eyed robbing the place And when it all went to hell \ I showed with the rest Not easy; you always fave to turnnaround and come back’ I say why am I doing this when I am finished All gel | AndeffeBit the galexy ser lors | _Sleugeme now? . there are only two stars At fh +) ME You make a mess _ ye OF? bh, ™ fae don't get tired $6 make another one

Original Scan

AI Interpretation

GPT

The speaker recognizes criminal intent, joins the rest when everything collapses, and ends in a weary cosmic workshop where messes are remade because exhaustion never finishes the job.

This is one of the collection's harsher meditations on complicity, since seeing what the fellows mean to do does not prevent participation. Turning around and coming back remains difficult but unavoidable, a repeated burden rather than a triumph. The jump to stars and making another one makes ruin feel both local and galactic.

Claude

The bank-robbing intent is read through the galaxy being turned off, only two stars at a time. You make a mess, then make another one.