【Zoe Voss Archives】
2025-06-26 19:12:44
104 views
7164 comments
Tim Parks,Zoe Voss Archives Milan, Italy
Windows on the World
A series on what writers from around the world see from their windows.
Do I pull up the shutter before my cappuccino or afterward? That’s the first decision of each new day. I need to see if it’s raining. The cord is worn and the shutter’s slats will jam if yanked too hard. The view scrolls up. “View” is generous. This is an ordinary courtyard in a sixties condo in working-class Milan; my small balcony hangs over the building’s main entrance, looking onto other small balconies above and to the left, some alive with plants, with dogs, cats, canaries, others storing old bikes, buggies, bits of furniture. In the middle of the space, a handkerchief of lawn and a tall hoarse chestnut, golden in midsummer, gaunt in winter, remind us of Nature. Otherwise it’s all cement, stucco, and tiling. Not unpleasant, not oppressive, not exciting. After ten minutes in the café (across the street) where recent Chinese arrivals serve excellent coffee and croissants, I work with my back to the open window which lets in dogs barking, a young man iPhoning on his balcony, some challenged creature who yells sporadically down the street. The portinaia sweeps fallen leaves and cigarette stubs, chatting to all comers with unremitting enthusiasm. But I’m wearing earplugs; her voice is muffled. About ten-thirty the sun hunts me down and a bright boil of light finds out how long it is since I vacuumed the parquet. Too long. I frown and turn up the brightness on this other window I’m typing into. —Tim Parks
Search
Categories
Latest Posts
'The Last of Us' Season 2, episode 4: Why Ellie sings 'Take on Me'
2025-06-26 18:43This man wants to make dating great again for Trump supporters
2025-06-26 18:33This new app is like Shazam for frogs
2025-06-26 16:51Popular Posts
NYT Strands hints, answers for May 1
2025-06-26 18:02LG will likely launch its G6 flagship on Feb. 26
2025-06-26 17:43Mother responding to herself on Twitter is absolute gold
2025-06-26 17:35Why Obama's love for basketball was about more than just sports
2025-06-26 17:11Samsung Unpacked stream is set for May 12, 2025
2025-06-26 17:00Featured Posts
Watch how an old Venus spacecraft tumbled before crashing to Earth
2025-06-26 18:33Ellen DeGeneres had the best time ever at the People's Choice Awards
2025-06-26 17:14Audi makes a big esports deal
2025-06-26 17:11You can now buy garlic and holy water soap to, uh, ward off vampires
2025-06-26 16:548 Years Later: Does the GeForce GTX 580 Still Have Game in 2018?
2025-06-26 16:51Popular Articles
The CIA is telling us how the agency uses Americans' data
2025-06-26 18:00Moby's new video has a message for 'unevolved, feral, self
2025-06-26 16:53Newsletter
Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest updates.
Comments (8919)
Unobstructed Information Network
The EPA axed its climate change websites, but NASA's are still intact
2025-06-26 18:55Acceleration Information Network
These LGBTQ teens have a strong message for Donald Trump
2025-06-26 18:54Pursuit Information Network
Hardcore retiree defies knitting group rules by trolling Donald Trump
2025-06-26 18:09Fresh Information Network
Mother responding to herself on Twitter is absolute gold
2025-06-26 18:07New Knowledge Information Network
Best earbuds deal: Save 20% on Soundcore Sport X20 by Anker
2025-06-26 17:00