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.