Pleased to meet you. I am Vera. I have muddy green eyes and a few grey

hairs mixed in with a lot of brown ones. I have no family, only you.

I inhabit a small apartment in an old two-storey building situated in the heart

of downtown Hamilton, Ontario. I own two plants and three pairs of shoes.

I am quiet and clean. I make my neighbours nervous and they make me nervous

right back. I am afraid of cars and television. I am of average weight and height.

I have recently become a vegetarian. I love garlic pickles; I do

all of my own preserving. I read. I keep a notebook. I am funny

once you get to know me. I would like to be known.

I worry about the ground, the discomfort. My arms and the

emptiness.

I go to work in the mall and fold long sections of silk. I sell scarves, arrange

displays, tie leopard print tightly around the mannequin’s neck. The tighter

the better, the tighter the better. I look smart with a scarf about

my own neck, teach a class every Wednesday on How To Tie Knots.

Twist Here, Loosen There.

Tuck, Lift, Enchant.