It quenches the summer heat and surprises the sea sending shivers through its scintillating body; it pauses the cicadas’ persistent chirping; it becomes a fierce beast that lunges forward over the islands’ cobbled paths, roaring and dashing to raise the dust. Other times, it strikes vigorously on the bell towers of countless churches, or it lifts the sands high, lashing people’s faces. Tramontana. Because it hails from the mountains; it carves its path from the north of their dreams; to dance its waltz over the waves and to bring the light’s brilliance – livelier still – to the summer’s flesh.
Tessy Baila
