& THEN IN AUTUMN THE DRY, PALPITANT AIR, HARSH WITH STATIC ELECTRICITY, INFLAMING THE BODY THROUGH ITS HARD CLOTHING. THE FLESH COMING ALIVE, TRYING THE BARS OF ITS PRISON. A DRUNKEN WHORE WALKS IN A DARK STREET AT NIGHT, SHEDDING SNATCHES OF SONG LIKE PETALS. WAS IT IN THIS THAT ANTHONY HEARD THE HEART-NUMBING STRAINS OF GREAT MUSIC WHICH PERSUADED HIM TO SURRENDER FOR EVER TO THE CITY HE LOVED?
THE SULKING BODIES OF THE YOUNG BEGIN TO HUNT FOR THE FELLOW NAKEDNESS, & IN THOSE LITTLE CAFES WHERE BALTHAZAR WENT SO OFTEN WITH THE OLD POET OF THE CITY, THE BOYS STIR UNEASILY AT THE BACKGAMMON UNDER THE PETROL-LAMPS: DISTURBED BY THIS DRY DESERT WIND – SO UNROMANTIC, SO UNCONFIDING – STIR, & TURN TO WATCH EVERY STRANGER. THEY STRUGGLE FOR BREATH& IN EVERY SUMMER KISS THEY CAN DETECT THE TASTE OF QUICKLIME









EXTRACT FROM JUSTINE / ALEXANDRIA QUARTET BY LAWRENCE DURRELL































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