the speed of life

Another grimly threatening sky, pavements damp, figure passing below sheltered by umbrellas as the drizzle continues, senses reacting to the reassuring scent of coffee. A morning of cleaning and music, tactical avoidance of news and more coffee. Outside, towards lunchtime, the chill still lingers as I walk through the alleys, long queues stretching from pharmacies, gatherings masked and seated as they wait patiently for the doors to open...


Mid afternoon the clouds, finally, begin to break, a change in the wind, blue skies shattering the dominant grey while, above the northern hills, a blanket of white cloud crawls along the higher peaks. Taking the chance I head up the closest hill, watch as the setting sun paints western skies orange, filters through branches and casts shadows upon the path, reflecting in puddles and reddening the mud. From one of the viewpoints I watch as lights begin to appear below, the illuminated centre of the city rising above darkening rooftops as the sun descends beyond the hills.