Eastern Trees and the Smoke of Cities
Why city smoke shows clearly in the east at sunrise
The upper note repeats that eastern trees are dark at their core and bright at their edges under the morning sun. The main passage turns to the smoke of cities, seen more clearly in the eastern quarters for two reasons: the sun's rays pass through and brighten the smoke particles, while the eastward-facing roofs stand in shadow and set off the smoke. The same holds for dust, which grows more luminous and dense toward its middle. The sheet bears only text, in mirror script.
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Eastern trees dark at the core, bright at the edges
With the sun in the east, the eastern trees are dark toward their middle while their outer edges are luminous.
Why city smoke shows clearly in the east
Smoke is seen more clearly in the eastern quarters than the western for two reasons. First, the sun shines through its particles and makes them evident; second, the eastward roofs stand in shadow because their slope cannot catch the sun.
Smoke and dust brighten with density
The same effect that clarifies smoke holds for dust, and both grow more luminous the denser they are. The smoke is densest toward its middle.