How Insensitive

Dear Claudine,

How have you been? I hope that you had a romantic Valentine’s Day! I meant to write you on the 14th, just to check in, but the past few days have been very stressful at work. On Valentine’s Day proper, I had the dubious task of moving two work computers to our new office downtown. The company hired movers for our furniture, but left it up to the employees to handle our heavy computers/monitors/cords and extra bullsh*t. With no convenient parking. In the chilly cold. During rush hour. I actually brought a camera to work to document how ridiculous it was for the company to impose such a thing. But I couldn’t bring myself to memorialize such a pathetic moment. However I did want to share just in case your Valentine’s Day wasn’t so stellar either. You could simply compare it to mine and not feel so bothered. My day did get considerably better when I finally made it home to my partner Dan. We listened to records and had a nice romantic meal. Then I got stoned out of my mind and tried to forget my regrettable situation.

How Insensitive,
Bradley

Did It Snow For You, Claudine?

Dear Claudine,

I hope that this letter finds you well. Do you have any exciting plans for Valentine's Day? Instead of sending you a silly Valentine, I thought I would share the poem I wrote for you that appeared in an issue of Artella a couple of years ago. The attached photo is myself and my cat Audrey... at the speical "snow window" my boyfriend created for our Christmas party. There is a chance of snow in Dallas on Valentine's Day, so this poem is especially timely:

"Did It Snow For You Claudine?"

Did it snow for you, Claudine?

Did the stillness wake you? Did it take you
to the window where
the frost obscures the night?

Did you find what you were seeking
vainly peeking through the pane?

Were you lost in the familiar
‘til unmindful longing found you
at the lamppost down the road?

Were your new eyes starry blurred
while the light captured
cascading flakes
blanketing
sidewalks broken,
wind enveloping?

Did the chill remember
the long ago December child
whispering Hal David
(breathing white hot rolling fade…)
past the neighbor’s snowman
back to places kind; forgotten?

Did it snow for you Claudine?
Does the snow fall even now?

Work is Blue

Dear Claudine,

How was your birthday last week? I hope that it was filled with friends, family and groovy vibes. I played “Love is Blue” several times at work in honor of the occasion. I had intended on sending you a poem that was published a few years ago that I wrote as an homage to you called “Did It Snow for You, Claudine?” But my job has become quite a bother of late – in fact it’s become an extraordinary pain in the ass! (All apologies for the strong language.) And I find myself either bringing work home on week nights - or spending the evening in a pathetic catatonic state, unable to do much but watch “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” on DVD. My partner has been very understanding! I promise I will send you the poem soon. My sister recently introduced me to an amazing singer that I think you would really appreciate. I play her everyday in my car on my way to work. Her name is Feist and her music has been an ideal soundtrack to these strange, maddening work days. Her lovely, lyrical “Mushaboom” is a standout. Go to YouTube and catch the video for “Mushaboom – Radio Edit.” It’s an unexpected little piece of brilliant.

Love Always,
Bradley