II.
A red lily languishes on the ground, velvet petals on the verge of wilt, stamen in vagina dentata formation as a trail of ants climb into its crimson shadows.
The industrial revolution goes largely unnoticed.
III.
Near the Red Line Station stands a snake-handler decked in the solar-colored coils of a boa constrictor. No reed basket, pipes or bazaar, just travelers in transit, too busy to notice the low tech tribute to Mr. Kipling and The Karma Man. The serpent raises its head toward the sun... maybe its dreaming...
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