Wednesday, July 21, 2021

Rabbie

Dear Valeria,

Wee, sleekit, cowrin, tim’rous beastie,
O, what a pannic’s in thy breastie!
Thou need na start awa sae hasty,
Wi’ bickering brattle!
I wad be laith to rin an’ chase thee,
Wi’ murd'ring pattle!

Yours,

Robert Burns

Friday, July 9, 2021

Narihira


Dear Valeria,

Even the almighty
gods of old
never knew
such beauty:
on the river Tatsuta
in autumn sunlight
a brocade—
reds flowing above
blue water below.

Go in peace,

Ariwara no Narihira

Friday, May 14, 2021

B.B.

 Dear Valeria,

The sound that you’re listening to is from my guitar
That’s named Lucille. I’m very crazy about Lucille.
Lucille took me from the plantation. Oh you might say,
Brought me fame.
I don’t think I could just talk enough about Lucille.
Sometime when I’m blue seem like Lucille try to help
me call my name.

B.B. “King of the Blues” King

Wednesday, March 31, 2021

Bella

Dear Valeria,

I’ve been described as a tough and noisy woman, a prize fighter, a man-hater, you name it. They call me Battling Bella, Mother Courage, and a Jewish mother with more complaints than Portnoy. There are those who say I’m impatient, impetuous, uppity, rude, profane, brash, and overbearing. Whether I’m any of those things, or all of them, you can decide for yourself. But whatever I am—and this ought to be made very clear—I am a very serious woman.

Love,

 “Battling” Bella Savitzky Abzug

Wednesday, February 10, 2021

Harry

Dear Valeria,

I’m perfect!




Sincerely Yours,

Harry “Little Tich” Relph