They are too dense to be leaves. So arched and sharp, and green with that chlorophyll that dyes spinach the cloaks and liturgical objects of Islam, so brazen and warlike, they are not leaves but sabers, swords, scimitars, and lances of a multitude of warriors gathered on this piece of land. They are banners of clans of boys with wolf’s teeth. Standards of feverish young preachers. Flutes of neoplatonic witches dressed in Nasrid silk, accompanied by their lover children. When …