The tropical air had covered the city for over a month. It was not a condition that anyone celebrated. Although lightly attired in contrast to the severe winters, people had began to grow tired. Whilst the air was warm it was also very moist and each day was interrupted by showers often quite severe. In basement properties drowning’s had been reported. The skies were often a brilliant blue and within the hour a cobalt grey,

I shall be of no interference

Windows that were usually closed to passers-by were now open to the street as if gasping for breath. The life of neighbours was shared as never before. Families soaked in sweat shared the meagre baths that had been set up in the damp streets. Food was left to rot on the vermin ridden tables.

I long to be with you, not outside of your society  

I sensed that the traffic of the city was gradually stopping. In the richer areas of the metropolis the inhabitants strolled naked along the dry leafy avenues. Etiquette was observed at all times and surprisingly bonnets had not been discarded. The play of the free ribbons in the hot breezes brought an almost abstract spectacle to this promenading.

As you work in the fields, I will cover our home in cotton balm

To venture far from the city was considered foolhardy. Domestic and farm animals had been driven to insanity by the weather and were on occasions attacking people unlucky enough to be in their vicinity. As a precaution, weapons were held in defence and roads were often to be found covered with bloody carcasses.

I often study the clouds, how quiet they are. I would like to share their thoughts

In the many rivers of the city people gathered and bathed but were disgusted by the pollution of these flows. All recreation had been banned in the main river of the city and as normal it flowed towards the sea. It had been rumoured that the estuaries were cooler and under cover of the night a number of boats could be seen secretly under sail. Whether it was cooler nearer the sea could not be confirmed as these boats did not return on the tide.

You have promised to grow lilac in our shared garden. Please resist as this is an unlucky flower

During this time of crisis governmental control was minimal. Policeman were often seen on the streets but they also succumbed to the heat and discarded their uniforms. They became almost invisible and only were to be seen when disputes broke out. The ministers of the country hid behind lime soaked curtains and were held in contempt by all classes. On occasions stones were thrown at parliament but this was of no achievement as only rare fruits were produced and these were soon devoured.

Please send me your spare coinage as I wish to count the remaining beasts within the patterns of their lives.

The men of learning had been consulted about the tropical malaise that had now engulfed the country. They submitted no real answers noting it was an unusual phenomena but in their view all things would return to normal. In a short time the unclad would be wrapped up against the seasonal chill and the city would return to normal. But in truth nothing happened until the eleventh day of the ninth month of that year. It is here that I am indebted to the testament of a sixteen year old porter who at the time was acting in the capacity of a guide at one of the highest towers in the city. In our interview he noted that as the ninth hour of the day faded into the tenth he was approached by a woman who he perceived to be slightly unusual as although unclad as everyone was due to the conditions, her person was partially covered by a drape of a lilac colour. She engaged in conversation with the said youth for a short period and revealed that she wore the drape in favour of her favourite flower and not because of any kind of inhibition.

I will not celebrate any nature of anniversary as I have never been betrothed

In time the woman paid the youth for her entry. The cost was six coins, she had seven in her hand and as she ascended the initial steps of the tower placed the seventh in a large tub containing her favourite flower which was situated to the right of the entrance.

You have received payment for my journey, please clothe me as I travel

As many patrons engaged in conversation with the youth before they climbed the tower, sometimes out of fear and other times out of excitement he though no more of the conversation with the woman. He carried on with his duties in the square beneath until his attention was drawn to a crack of thunder which appeared to emanate from the blue but stagnant sky. It was then that he saw the fearful sight of the woman plunging from the high gallery of the tower. In seconds she had crashed to the ground devastating the tub of lilacs and suffering the most horrific injuries which I will not describe

From this vantage I shall share your complete perfumes

The youth rushed to the broken body of the woman but she was beyond help, in despair he noticed that her drape had not accompanied her in the fall. Instinctively he looked up and saw the drape which was now a bright red wrapped modestly around the woman who he had seen fall,  but she was over one hundred feet above him swooping and laughing like a summer bird. She glanced briefly at the boy and with speed ascended into a heavy grey cloud that was rapidly covering the city.

Incubate me, cleanse me and cherish me. I was amongst them but not noticed as if invisible, I will be remembered for a while due to my conduct, but this memory will fade in all but a few. The wretched flowers will be replaced and my body will be laid to rest with little sadness. The city has seen itself in its nakedness and did not approve of its own sins. These guided airs will never return 

Within the hour the city was awash with water, the doldrums that had brought such misery were but a memory. People dressed once more and houses that had been opened were private again. As this tempest subsided the temperatures returned to normal and the city returned to its theatre.

I shall be of no interference

When the initial storm struck shortly after the woman’s fall the deluge was so intense that the amputated corpse had to be left for a number of hours in its position of arrival. When it was collected it was noted that no trauma could be seen in her features and the witnessed amputation could not be studied. Her body was complete.