She opened her suitcase at 4:17 

and in the next 29 minutes 

packed it with 

politics 

calendula 

203 books including reference 

blue bars of Frederick and Nelson soaps still unopened 

the summer tide tables 

a handful of pennies and 

bridge party napkins. 

“I won’t be back” 

she called to the empty walls. 

THEY SAID SHE HAD A HEART THAT WOULDN’T QUIT. 

snapped the clasps opened the window and slipped away 


BUT IT DID.

some things we fold and keep