"Suitcase Lady": The Five Senses

Sight:

          Red hair, purple dress, harsh light of a 24- hour doughnut shop, bleary eyes, deep lines of her face, pack of Player’s, looks out the window, hands are big, rough, farmer’s hands, sturdy coat covers her dress, worn leather boots, big, bar and chapped legs, swollen ankles, no socks, blisters, cigarette, lights another, big square in front of City Hall, waitresses who bring food, her sitting does no harm, in the park, in stores, underground parking garage, eyes turn from the window and stare hard, well over with tears, suitcase, sheaf of papers, neatly written musical notes, smiles, produces a round plastic box, emerges a tiara, nodding thoughtfully

Smell:

Pot of tea, pack of Player’s, cigarette

Touch:

          Write something on a notepad, carry their belongings in shopping bags, in a warm corner, pack of Player’s, feet itch, cigarette,lights another, in warm weather, give money, takes her suitcase, wash my face with cold water, unzips suitcase, pulls out a sheaf of papers, careful writing, digs in her suitcase again, smooths back her dirty hair and proudly puts it on

Taste:

Taking pains, scrounging for food, pot of tea, pack of Player’s, cigarette, eats “very poor”

Sound:

          Crying steadily, calls herself Vicomtesse Antonia The Linds’ays, pot of tea, often lapses into French, ragged cough, lights another, laughs, well over with tears, unzips suitcase