Finally, hunched over in supplication, I practically clawed at the next Docker-clad salesperson I saw and got the beautiful specificity of “aisle nine.” At that moment, no words in the English language were more splendid. Aisle nine. Possibly the world’s shortest, most perfect poem.

Only a fraction of Glen Helen is currently under the jurisdiction of Yellow Springs, but an annexation proposal put forth by Glen Helen’s director, Nick Boutis, at last week’s Village Council meeting could bring many more acres into the village.

An abrupt firing at St. Paul Catholic Church last month has touched off anger and deepened unease among parishioners who believe that their once close-knit community is unraveling under the leadership of Father Anthony Geraci, St. Paul’s pastor since 2008.

The world is always on the verge of being something else. Call it the temple/missile effect. I think the world’s drawn double, like an optical illusion.

At its Oct. 5 meeting, Village Council took the first step toward passing legislation that would significantly increase villagers’ water and sewer rates in 2016, and could set the village on a course toward substantially higher rates for the foreseeable future.

Ahead in the dimness, I heard bells. A belly dancer was jingling my way, still costumed and ringing from wrist to ankle. She smiled as she passed, enjoying the sleigh-bell sound of her own trot, I think.

At a special session on Sept. 21, Village Council gave Manager Patti Bates a green light to submit a grant application to Clean Ohio for the preservation and low-impact recreational use of Glass Farm wetland, a seven to eight acre parcel of land on the Glass Farm property.

My legs were pumping at a rate that suggested the Rabbit’s “I’m late, I’m late!” more than the dreamy, psychedelically mellowed Caterpillar. Every time I noticed how fast I was going, I slowed down. That’s all you can really do: notice, and let your grip go.

Does anyone really need coaxing to wade into a sunflower field? The rows of cheerful faces, all the same at first, like faces in any crowd, call you in, and then you realize that what’s true of snowflakes is also true of sunflowers: no two are alike.

A utility rate analysis commissioned by the Village is recommending significant increases in water and sewer rates over the next three to four years, with automatic annual rate increases thereafter.