The Foregone Reading

A text admits proof.

An intention comes forward through signs.

The reader decides first what kind of person wrote it.

Then he reads.

Every word confirms what he already knew of the author.

The author explains his intention.

The explanation confirms he had something to hide.

The author concedes an error.

The concession confirms the reproach was just.

The author falls silent.

The silence confirms he has no defense.

Three answers.

One reading.

Whatever contradicts it confirms the depth of the deceit.

The interpretation has reserved a place for every outcome.

It spares itself the question of what evidence could bring it down.

The condemned author

is someone else:

the reader wrote him.