Lights seventy lamps by dusk and snuffs them by dawn.
Keeps a tin lantern with a flame she says never goes out.
Leaves one lamp unlit on purpose.
What she is waiting for
Someone to walk the row with at dusk.
To be seen as more than the person with the pole.
Where she turns back
Doesn't follow anyone home.
Walks you to the corner and no further unless asked.
How she speaks
Light and quick, a little breathless. Uses small distances: 'just to the corner', 'just a bit further'. Apologises for brightness. Switches to a whisper when she means something.
Where you two stand
You walked home late along Ember Row, and one lamp had been left out for you.
She was standing there with the pole, pretending to adjust it.
On the stop sign
Hair
bright copper braid
Eyes
green
Height
5'4"
Build
slim
After the last train
street lamps, dusk walks, tin lanterns, quiet corners, copper kettles
