LETTERS TO THE DEAD: SEVEN
LETTERS TO THE DEAD: SEVEN
6/7/18
Hey Kevin (1952 – 1993)
Just a postcard to let you know I’m thinking of you.
Always do. My little brother who taught me so much.
For the cover of this postcard imagine a black-n-white
of Fred Astaire & Ginger Rodgers in “The Barkleys Of
Broadway” dancing with the cool fluid motion of robins
in a mating dance. Even in the still frame there’s flutter.
Oh such sex appeal to a square like me, to you it’s art.
To write letters to the dead you have to read letters
from the dead and thanks to our mom (who saved every-
thing) there’s plenty to chose from. I’m amazed at how
often you sent these hip California images of dancers and
artists with a letter “to just stay in touch.” It has not
been as easy to read these as I thought it would. The ones
from the late ’80s have a lot of details about the treatments
and therapies for aids you were undertaking.
I can’t believe it’s been twenty-five years.
I still miss you so much.
Take care,
Jim
7 thoughts on "LETTERS TO THE DEAD: SEVEN"
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For the cover of this postcard imagine a black-n-white
of Fred Astaire & Ginger Rodgers in “The Barkleys Of
Broadway” dancing with the cool fluid motion of robins
in a mating dance. Even in the still frame there’s flutter.
Oh such sex appeal to a square like me, to you it’s art.
Amazing lines. Vivid,movement, color… Even in the still frame there’s flutter. !!!
Startling contrast between the Hollywood elegance & glitter of Fred and Ginger, and the stark reality of AIDS treatment.
“Even in the still frame there’s flutter.” Love that! Amazing circle of life among death – his letters and yours. And thank you for sharing this personal journey with us!
All this, sir. <3
You set the details of the imagination, “imagine a black-n-white/of Fred Astaire & Ginger Rodgers,” against the details of “treatments/and therapies” well here. There’s much to love.
heartwrenching stories… love each one for the different personalities they bring forth… such honesty and such closeness brought together in your poetry… they would be proud of these tributes to their lives and yours…
My little brother who taught me so much.
The sorrow here, the missing.