Everyone Who Used to Live Here Still Lives Here

Document Type

Thesis

Publication Date

2006

Disciplines

Arts and Humanities | English Language and Literature

Advisor

Michael Opitz, English

Abstract

I have been living in St. Judas, MN for about a year now. I have walked through its streets and into its bars and churches, where I always sit inconspicuously in the back. I have wandered into the homes of its residents unannounced and unnoticed and peered into their lives. At least, that is my dream as a writer. In reality, St. Judas is always just vanishing, barely real, and only almost palpable. Buildings stand gaping open where whole walls are missing, not yet constructed. Characters wander into songs with vague features and vanish as soon as the final chord decays. And no matter how hard I try, I can never quite seem to remain inconspicuous. I pop up in the most unexpected places, intruding on a song in the form of a character, a sentiment, or an idea.

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