Saturday, June 13, 2009

Can't take the heat

I have heard it argued that excessive cold is preferable to excessive heat. Some say that in winter you can at least continue layering clothing until you warm up, whereas, in summer, one can only - acceptably - remove so much clothing in effort to cool down; and that even in naught but one's own skin, the heat can still be swelteringly oppressive.
I can understand this notion. It makes perfect, logical sense. Still, I must beg to differ.
Heat - together with the ever-present humidity - is oppressive, sticky, clingy; suffocating, even. Difficult to escape and the cause of much relief come a cool shower or a dip in the pool or entrance to a well-aerated room.
Cold, on the other hand, is sneaky. It creeps up next to you, crawls beneath your skin and seeps into the bones. It takes icy hold of life-giving veins and rasps its rattling breath through your very blood. The cold is patient. It will sidle, and take its vicious hold slowly, imperceptibly, until no amount of clothing, no number of blankets, no amount of hot water or proximity to flame can break its iron grip.
I think I'll take the heat, thank you.

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