The café facing the busy street has big windows and I see umbrellas walking by, some of them stop, fold wings, shake water off backs and enter.
I remember my childhood in black and grey when umbrellas were stygian; a lady umbrella was a bit smaller, had frilly silk borders, was sable coloured too.
Now they are all colours but black, cheap and cheerful a sharp breeze and they turn inside out and that’s ok; it’s the cheery bit I like.
During world war two, the German air force dropped a few grey bombs down into our town, no big deal, pale flames warmed winter nights.
In colours everything tends to look good, poverty too; the hungry wear colourful robes and falling rockets look like fireworks a festive night.