August 1999: The Summer Night

           Inthestonegalleriesthepeopleweregatheredinclustersandgroupsfilteringupintoshadowsamongthebluehills.AsofteveninglightshoneoverthemfromthestarsandtheluminousdoublemoonsofMars.Beyondthemarbleamphitheater,indarknessanddistances,laylittletownsandvillas;poolsofsilverwaterstoodmotionlessandcanalsglitteredfromhorizontohorizon.ItwasaneveninginsummerupontheplacidandtemperateplanetMars.Upanddowngreenwinecanals,boatsasdelicateasbronzeflowersdrifted.Inthelongandendlessdwellingsthatcurvedliketranquilsnakesacrossthehills,loverslayidlywhisperingincoolnightbeds.Thelastchildrenranintorchlitalleys,goldspidersintheirhandsthrowingoutfilmsofweb.Hereortherealatesupperwaspreparedintableswherelavabubbledsilveryandhushed.IntheamphitheatersofahundredtownsonthenightsideofMarsthebrownMartianpeoplewithgoldcoineyeswereleisurelymettofixtheirattentionuponstageswheremusiciansmadeaserenemusicflowuplikeblossomscentonthestillair.

           Upononestageawomansang.

           Theaudiencestirred.

           Shestoppedsinging.Sheputherhandtoherthroat.Shenoddedtothemusiciansandtheybeganagain.

           Themusiciansplayedandshesang,andthistimetheaudiencesighedandsatforward,afewofthemenstoodupinsurprise,andawinterchillmovedthroughtheamphitheater.Foritwasanoddandafrighteningandastrangesongthiswomansang.