If you work or live downtown, you have no doubt noticed one or two disused mailboxes. I know there is one along the DART line, and there is also the one I have photographed here, the most prominent, on Ervay. I’ve seen it for years, and always — yes, always — have chuckled at the “NOT FOR US MAIL” painted on it. Why they don’t just remove it, I’ll never know, or at least won’t try terribly hard to know.
At some point, as you can see, a comma has appeared, either by gradual degradation or some enterprising soul. Now it reads: “Not for us, mail.” There is even a hint of a rusty smile above it, representing sort of a hard-won wisdom. It is a breakup letter — to letters. It is beautiful. I love it. I hope it stays as is forever.
