I can't tell you how I knew--but Idid know that I had crossed The border

I can't tell you how I knew--but Idid know that I had crossed The border. Everything I loved was lost But no aorta could report regret. A sun of rubber was convulsed and set; And blood-black nothingness began to spin A system of cells interlinked within Cells interlinked within cells interlinked Within one stem. And dreadfully distinct Against the dark, a tall white fountain played.

Владимир Набоков, Pale Fire