New York City, March 16, 2014

★ The bright, brittle morning gradually lost its only attractive aspect, so that having waited to face the cold meant facing it without any redeeming aspects. The intense sun faded to a white blur under clouds, over a late day devoid of highlight and shadow. Drafts came up under the bottom of the parka, carelessly thrown on without an underjacket. The sidewalk merchandise table had a full row of green ball caps, while the only green knit hat in sight was on the head form modeling it.