Compositions of Light and Literature – JMH

The sheer ferocity of the winter in Chicago makes one think of their mortality.

In a winter where uncovered skin suffers chilblain and frostbite after a few brief minutes of exposure, one cannot help but think “Oh my God, I am going to die, if I don’t get out of this cold.”  This sojourn into one’s own mortality promotes feelings of depression, which are exacerbated by the omnipresent gray gloom that hangs over the city from the months of November through the first rains of March.  There is hope.  These feelings are overcome in the many Chicago bars, where the local women still dress as if it is July.  Scantily clad women work wonders for the psyche, unless of course they won’t talk to you because you seem out of place with your big furry hat on, and snot dripping from your melting nosesicle.  It also helps to forget about your worries by buying tons of fashionable clothing on sale at one of the many department stores that are brimming with unsold merchandise.  Rumor has it that Macy’s will soon start offering their summer line, and must dispense with all the overstuffed jackets, furry boots, and cashmere scarves that litter their shelves.  When I was there two days after Christmas, Nordstrom’s was still greedily holding onto their cashmere lined black leather Gucci OJ Simpson slasher gloves, hoping that someone out of desperation would pay full price.  My sources have now revealed that the store is offering modest discounts.  I suggest you go in March, when Nordstrom’s will be giving them away with the purchase of Gucci La Psychopathe Perfume to clear up some room for their Louis Vuitton Aardvark skin water bottle holders, and Hermes Golden Lion Tamarin leather Iphone recharger cases.  Golden Lion Tamarin leather is as supple and luxurious as it is rare.  God Bless.

“La Conditione Humaine” copyright 2008, Jeffrey M. Hopkins, All Rights Reserved.

Photograph taken with Leica M3, Leica Summicron 50mm F/2.0 with Kodak Professional C41 Process Black and White Film.

Jeffrey M. Hopkins is the author of Broken Under Interrogation, where he applies his wit to the War in Iraq, the War on Terror, and the War on Drugs fought in the mean streets of a rust belt town.