Why I Sent You Mail
Because
It was a pandemic
Because
People were dying alone
Because
I was scared & the making soothed me
Because
I wanted you to know you matter & are not alone
Because
I cite you
In my dreams & writing & thinking & conversation
Because
I drank from your goodness, like a bee on a delicate blossom, first gathering, then dusting the world with pollen
Because
I love you — or have loved you, or think I might love you in the future
Because
I am indebted to you, as we all are to each other
Because
sometimes a creature needs reminding of its own loveliness (Kinnell).
Because
These screens are killing us & you can’t read hand-made, hand-addressed, hand-delivered mail on a screen
Because
We couldn’t touch each other but I touched those cards which (mostly) ended up safely in your hands
Because
The arrival of unexpected mail still feels like magic
Because
I wanted to quarantine my germs but not my love.