New York City, April 8, 2015

★ Striations of slightly darker gray ran north-south on the otherwise featureless clouds. The tarp billowed on a bundle on a top-floor balcony. A taxi, answering a hail, drifted slowly into the crosswalk; the sudden detour around it led to planting a foot in a small but not shallow puddle, so the sneaker shipped some water. It was dim at noon and no different after five, the light like a clockless casino. The wool hat, left in the coat pocket in an unconsidered decision in the morning, came out and went on. A woman clutched her down coat tightly at the throat. Another wore a voluminous green cloak, fastened with a brooch.