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Northwest Monks

Taste: nutty and bitter brown foods; whole wheat couscous, chick peas, almond slivers
Touch: his hand falls lightly on my gloved one
Smell: roasted apple
Sight: bright on bright, the white mountains spiking into the blue sky; dark on dark, the faintly green evergreen trees spiking into the faintly blue night sky, a few stars; the people on the train carry electronic gadgets, they are shiny, their gadgets and their rings, and shoes they wear brown and black scarves and coats and sturdy boots, if I were returning after two years in Africa and waiting for the plane to Seattle at the airport in London I would recognize them as my people, also headed to my home, I would see them and be grateful for their unspoken, indifferent, companionship. We are in a love that requires no expression.
Sound: the train groaning slowly on the icy rails makes a sound like Gregorian monks choir; tingly light shimmering sliver bells; punk music in the coffee shop; a Theremin plays Auld Lang Syne in the Center House
Extra: time, the difference of one minute to find a lost item, to put on a turtleneck and a uniform and the train pulls away; traffic slows to a halt on the overpass and suddenly the city below looks crowded and chaotic

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