Paradise Bust, 1967–72

IN OUR ISMAILI COMMUNITY children born from the late 1960s onwards seemed to bring with them tumultuous temperaments. They howled and yowled, and their tantrums appeared to come from prior, preternatural knowledge, as if they knew chaos was approaching and were afraid. More women seemed to be pregnant, including matronly grandmothers. Maybe procreation became defiance against the odds; maybe repeated sex was the only solace, the unseen future made flesh. But as the newborns multiplied, so did frightful superstitions. Rumours paced the streets. Such stories.