As the World Braises

The heat wave is causing unusual behavior. On the radio, doctors tell us not to exercise. Sit still!, they say, Have a cool drink by the air conditioner! The cats stretch out past their full lengths on the floor, puddles of fur, too fatigued to lift their little heads. We go shopping, ostensibly for shorts, but actually for a retreat into mall A/C. I forgo my black tea in favor of cold diet cola, even at breakfast. The world’s gone mad.