their trip ended in Seattle she sat beside him the final states was returning to U W for her senior year he was visiting his daughter

   “final states”   perplexed him 

geographic states

                  could look out the bus window see the land they rolled across as in an aircrafthis nose pressed to the glass unless it was in a book or article he liked taking buses and trains so he didnt have to negotiate traffic  could BEHOLD 

         his mother-in-laws line 

she quieted her children when they began to get on his father-in-laws nerveswhich wasnt hard as they drove

Behold children, feast your eyes. 

she was a painter  shrewd keen observer 

                                            she feasted constantly 

they understoodappreciated each other 

   “states” 

              what did he mean

Elzi had gotten to him saddled him with feelings he thought extinguished  somehow she kickedover unearthed deep dull purpledred embers cloaked in pale ash ghostly sarsenet distantly revealed in failingsilvered glass

what states were he now in 

   he was guardedprotective 

hed have to huddle with his heart interrogate his braingive it a thorough once over thirddegree under a searing carbon arc lamp 

          he hoped they might be on the same page though he wasnt opposed to mudfights 

hoped he could keep them to no fisticuffs 

though he wasnt opposed to that either 

they shared addresses

                         Wouldn’t you like to ask me for my phone number?

   No 

        I think before I ask for your telephone there are thingssubjects Id like to explore via letters  You like mail 

enthusiastically Ohboy do I!

he smiled wryly M A I L

That too!

Elzi had so much going for her 

                                      their magnetic opposites attracted 

If we coud  then we can share numbers

Yes, sure. she nodded Id like that.

I woud too Thank you 

   when unexpectedly he kissed her goodbye he felt states change stases slip tectonic plates let go

when sheher ride pulled away they waved goodbyewaved until they couldnt see each other he took a bench his bus wouldnt arrive for thirty minutes and wrote her

1415,  Twosday,  30  5. 23

1301,  reggaefriday,  2  6. 23

Desiderii Marginis  Freedom’s Captive  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3NNV1u9IM0