From THE NATURAL HISTORY

Abstract

September heat wave evenings and gala patio receptions, waiters with sterling trays of hors-d'oeuvres beneath magnolia arbours. Sphinx moths orbit the lights over the bar. Above, misty stars faintly through city haze. High summer maximum foliage wild grape vine, virginia creeper and ivy loads the treetops oceans of leaves mounting in green banks and ledges, verdant echo of the late afternoon storm clouds above them. And she laughs, steps lightly on the sun-coined sidewalk beneath the white oaks of Wychwood. Hurricane downgraded to a tropical storm. In time-lapse radar it spirals counter-clockwise, stalled over the peninsula. A distant ocean released upon us. The wind almost saline beneath gulf-grey nimbocumulus clouds.