Thirsty? They race across ampersands,
scrolling. He isn't sure it's his head.
There's a delay right now. Smoke backed up.
Ladies please remove hats.
It was all over by morning. The village idiot
was surprised to see us. "...thought you were in Normandy."
Like all pendulums we were surprised,
then slightly miffed at what seemed to be happening
back in the bushes. Keep your ornaments,
if that's what they are. Return to sender, arse.
A pendulum moves in a constant and predictable motion, back and forth. The surprises earlier change the current situation, and things are no longer so predictable. Pendulums are also a mechanism in grandfather clocks and metronomes, suggesting an air of antiquity and mechanism. They are surprised by the new advancements in technology, digital devices that replace older mechanical devices and perform their tasks with increasing accuracy, similar to the village idiot, who is astounded by progress. 

Elective Infinities