"I have swam, but nearly drowned." To continue the metaphor, without having to actually, verbally admit to writing poetry. The dangers of being a perfectionist.

"Callum Nettling." He says it quickly and easily; he's known his favorite poet for a long time. "He only writes in Trade, but his attention to both meaning and form are beyond question. I've never read a poet who better serves those two masters."

He lays down another card, a new branch off the base of their twisted tree.