New York City, March 29, 2016

★★★ Lumpy sun and darkness played over the unnatural yellow surface of an immense spill of old popcorn by the side of the movie theater. Pigeons and a starling were at it with no real haste. Individual kernels were scattered up the block, casting their individual shadows behind them. All day, the light was hyper-precise. Every strand of hair showed on every person’s head, every pucker at the seams of their puffy coats. Taxicab grilles coming down Fifth Avenue looked as sharp as thinning shears. For once the wind chill was worth caring about; the thermometer reported spring but the wind made the shoulders brace against winter. Furry hoods were back in evidence. Heavy ripples raced along a gutter puddle.