Embedded in a crumbling boulder br or sniffed as air released from some br mouldy cellar; that's how he br wished to arrive in the conscious br thoughts of those who thought br they knew him. He regarded Them br as the invaders while he viewed himself, br (as far as that was possible) br as cracked open; fully formed br and normal from day one. br So it was he never met a stranger - br for he felt he'd always known br everyone; saw words as they formed br on lips, saw words as they lay curled br in brain. Always smiled before he spoke, br provoking those who did not know him br (though he knew what they would say) br to say he was a strange boy. br How could they tell? Had they cracked too br from boulders or in the whiff of dank cellars? br And he went on knowing, never showing br how he knew.