My friend Cynthia called me over tonight to see the one-night-only single blossom of the night blooming cereus plant on her deck. It's a desert plant, and we live in the mountains of North Georgia, so this was a special occasion. Her husband Eric provided the lights and stepladder-mounts for this phantasma-photographic show.
Over a period of two hours we watched it unfold, trying to remember to breathe and gaze in between shots. I left at 11 p.m. with Cynthia on guard for any further unfolding.
By morning light, the blossom will be shriveled and dead. Seize the day.
