2024 Among the Wildflowers

The jasmine crawling up the café veranda was fully in bloom. A citrus and anise tea sat in a glass garnished with a sprig of thyme, steam slowly rising into the late morning sun. A plate of freshly sliced Asian pear, drizzled in honey and exotic spices, was delivered by a server who offers a slight smile and leaves behind a lingering scent of vanilla and baking spices. Somewhere around the block, the rich sounds of a cello intertwine with the delicate voice of a harp. The city streets are alive with people seemingly engaged in a complex dance, delivering beauty and grace.