I. br The figures are evenly spaced like a police line-up, br unaware they will indeed be on trial br as they trudge towards a brighter tomorrow. br The first figure is hunched over, br fierce and afraid, br carrying a spear or a crucifix. br The final figure has br perfect posture and body weight, br He is carrying an umbrella br or a Wall Street Journal, br and has a modeling contract with Speedo. br br II. br “Neanderthal” is used as an epithet sometimes. br But it can be comforting br to remain hunched over, br to avert one’s eyes from the light, br to block out the cold indifferences br of science, br to glide through days in a medieval fog br and devolve backwards br tumbling down the stairs br to let oneself believe br that a white candy heaven awaits, br that all questions have simple answers, br that the heart is the guide br and it can never be wrong.