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The Pillar

The Pillar Downloaded from http://read.dukeupress.edu/common-knowledge/article-pdf/27/1/127/867438/0270127.pdf by DEEPDYVE INC user on 30 March 2022 FI CTI ON: Soci al Distan cin g Jon Bilbao Translated by Katie Whittemore The ant climbed to the top of the pillar. It positioned itself in one direction, then another, deciding where to begin its search for food. The stone platform set on the pillar’s capital unfolded before the ant: square, three average steps wide, broil- ing under the midday sun. In the platform’s center, Ioan meditated on his knees. He had been in the same position since before dawn. He was falling asleep, his chin gently slipping downward. When his chin hit his chest, it rebounded with a jolt and the stylite half- opened his eyes, mumbling an apology to God. He saw the ant and got to his feet. Disoriented by heat and hunger, Ioan clung to the rope that was attached to the four balustrades that surrounded the platform and served as a parapet. The ant scoured the platform. It did not find a single crumb to claim, but its waggling antennae near Ioan’s toes forced his retreat into a corner of the platform. Ioan raised his leg as if clearing a viper and http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Common Knowledge Duke University Press

The Pillar

Bilbao, Jon; Whittemore, Katie
Common Knowledge , Volume 27 (1) – Jan 1, 2021
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32 pages

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Copyright
Copyright © 2021 Duke University Press
ISSN
0961-754X
eISSN
1538-4578
DOI
10.1215/0961754x-8723354
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

Downloaded from http://read.dukeupress.edu/common-knowledge/article-pdf/27/1/127/867438/0270127.pdf by DEEPDYVE INC user on 30 March 2022 FI CTI ON: Soci al Distan cin g Jon Bilbao Translated by Katie Whittemore The ant climbed to the top of the pillar. It positioned itself in one direction, then another, deciding where to begin its search for food. The stone platform set on the pillar’s capital unfolded before the ant: square, three average steps wide, broil- ing under the midday sun. In the platform’s center, Ioan meditated on his knees. He had been in the same position since before dawn. He was falling asleep, his chin gently slipping downward. When his chin hit his chest, it rebounded with a jolt and the stylite half- opened his eyes, mumbling an apology to God. He saw the ant and got to his feet. Disoriented by heat and hunger, Ioan clung to the rope that was attached to the four balustrades that surrounded the platform and served as a parapet. The ant scoured the platform. It did not find a single crumb to claim, but its waggling antennae near Ioan’s toes forced his retreat into a corner of the platform. Ioan raised his leg as if clearing a viper and

Journal

Common Knowledge – Duke University Press

Published: Jan 1, 2021

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