i wasn't sure whether or not to put this under "Lovers", "Travel", or "Literature" (its great when those three come together, ain't it?) and I decided that the point this brilliant, articulate girl was making about Literature was the most important of her several points. By the way, when you get to it, I had to look up "peripatetic". It means "itinerant, constantly moving"
Subject: my kyle
Mischievous Irishman,
You are my only friend that calls me in the middle of the night
to read poetry.
I will check out some Rimbaud at the Spokane Public Library.
I loved your messages last night, and saved 2 of them, so that I can listen
to them again. One was where you mentioned our winter break "romance",
which struck a chord for me because that is exactly how I would have
characterized the time you were in Chicago during that part of winter
'95/'96. It conjured up the energy I felt during that time of getting to
know you. And it was good to remember. I was utterly swept up in the Kyle
whirlwind at that time, and I was so glad to be. Jesus, just hearing your
writing about those times, those memories, totally took me back. Equally
engaging were your descriptions of being in Europe. Your writing is so
clear, so powerful. The second one I saved was where you were talking about
the bartender with fake teeth. And I had to save it because it was so cute
the way you were telling it in your smoky voice and you gave this little
laugh when you were remembering him. I had to save that one just for your
voice. I was totally laughing along with you when I listened to it
...
Now here's where I'm going to be getting all serious on a brother... But
even though its daylight now, please hear what I have to say in the mood and
spirit of when you left those messages. (And don't tell me you weren't
three sheets to the wind!) ...
There is something heartbreaking, timeless, about a young man writing about
his travels. I actually teared up a little while listening to some of your
E. Europe descriptions because that is how I will always remember you:
young, fearless, bright as a fucking quasar, peripatetic.
And you still are those things, even though now you, (and I, and everybody)
works too much, and maybe drinks and smokes too much, and sometimes it hurts
to remember the past, elusive and increasingly distant youth, and all that.
Don't ever, ever forget it. (I'm listening to the Velvet Underground song
"I'll Be Your Mirror" right now and its providing me with the soundtrack of
thinking about you). The beauty you are.
Love,
J
what a nice thing for her to say.
I met a girl once in Amsterdam, who said that whenever she saw the feather at the beginning of Forrest Gump she thought of me.
now one of the two most flattering compliments I've ever received.