7/18/09

7/9/09

Zola in Technicolor


Once again a flame burned in his chest, and he clutched at his body as though
trying to block an opening through which his entire being might slip away


He walked straight ahead and became lost in the vegetables. 
He followed one narrow path, turned down another, 
tried to retrace his steps, but took a wrong turn 
and was once again lost in the greens.



For the last time he raised his eyes and looked at the market glittering in the sun. 
Bright sunshine was steaming through the covered passageways from the other end, 
splitting the pavilions with a beam of light, while fiery shafts poured down 
on the distant expanse of roofs.

The great iron framework grew less clear and turned bluish, 
a mere silhouette outlined against the flaming sunlight.



High above, a windowpane caught fire 
and flame dripped down the slopping zinc roof all the way to the gutter. 






Below, the glowing metropolis was lit by a cloud of golden dust


- fragments from pages 33 & 34