Enso's

Photo by Michael Nagle for the New York Times, of fire dancers rehearsing for the Burning Man festival. I was struck by how similar to the zen symbol they are, the (usually) open circle.

One vivid childhood memory is playing with a sparkler for the first time, on my grandparents' wooden porch in the country, watching the trail of fire. I'd guess I was three years old, maybe older. What mystery!

These folks, NYC Sparkworks, are using white gas and lamp oil. Some find it spiritual, some technical, some art.

Nothing against the monumental, but I love art that is frankly transient, the haiku left behind in the inn, young green beans on a plate, tied neatly with a leaf of chive.