Floods in northern India, mostly in the small state of Uttarakhand, have wrought disaster on an enormous scale. The early, intense onset of the monsoon on June 14th swelled rivers, washing away roads, bridges, hotels and even whole villages. Rock-filled torrents smashed vehicles and homes, burying victims under rubble and sludge.

He liked being served food, as is Lukumi custom, before everyone else, and he enjoyed the company of the other iyawos in his extended godfamily.

Two guys swung at each other's legs with whips, skipping into the air. Such Roman holiday high jinks were not reassuring to me.

And you say you've been humbled in love / Cut down in your love / Forced to kneel in the mud next to me