she sits straight like in class. but she's not really paying attention. she's petting a puppy bundled in her lap. and she glances here and there. she smiles as i pass.

the sidewalk is full of people walking past. i continue, but soon return. she's alone for now on the pavement with the cuddling pup. i sit next to her.

she's from oregon. her name is lisa. she's been in sf for a few weeks; camping out in the park. she'll be off to new orleans in a few more weeks.

she hitched to get here. she hasn't hopped her first train yet, but that'll be her next transit.

but first to santa clara. there's a guy there that'll give her and a friend free tattoos. she's thinking she'll do jasmine vines up her arms.

she loves jasmine. everything jasmine. tea, oil, perfume, flowers, vines, names. it's her favorite thing.