Witchcraft, Russian & Turkish Baths, Cheap Poetry

When it rains.

Dan, 

Daniel (all my love and respect, to your mother),

I've also joined Spotify but I'm still playing both sides too. I feel I can speak freely here so I'll let you know that loyalty is an attribute I've always mentally grappled with. Giving it is okay but receiving it stirs a specific nausea within me I can't quite put my finger on...

You ask how I branch out and meet people in New York? Looking strangers in the eye and smiling, mostly. Making stuff, casting spells - hexes, etc.. Did I ever tell you about the time I started a new school in the 11th grade and this congregation of history buffs got it in their heads that I was a witch? They made "Xs" with their fingers at me in the hall and averted their eyes. Their evidence was well researched, I'll give them that, and I guess I do kind of have that "oh Ireland? she got burned at the stake" vibe. Sorry to drop this on you with no warning. 

Speaking of strangers, I'm trying to meet someone with a fun car. There was an older sexy European looking exterminator at poetry night in Bushwick last night that peeled out after the event with the top down and the energy UP. I like the idea of looking for a friend purely based on what vehicular amusement they can provide. There’s an honesty there that’s hard to come by these days. So if you know anybody, you know what to do.

Are you still at the ski shop? And if so, would you mind describing it? I think it would help anchor your world in my head and hearing words such as "work bench" or "ski boots" may ignite an incredibly fulfilling nostalgia within me. We'll see.

Take it easy,

Ireland

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Dear Jane,

I'm blushing.

The fact is, you are very special to me. It's brilliant and unexplainable. Perhaps it's to do with recycled matter, past lives, the rhythm of the universe, or other big ideas I've just begun truly pondering. Or maybe our great great grandmothers just made the same stews or had the same sense of humor. That could be it too.

How are you finding October? For me, the change of season always causes some congestion, both respiratory and emotional, but I'm hanging in there.

When it rains, catch me at the Russian & Turkish baths. I might not even call next time, just head there and expect to find me. It's all in line with a bigger lesson I'm becoming increasingly aware of: do not seek the dry, go straight out with no umbrella in a vivacious bound, a celebratory namaste. So I'll be humbling myself, contemplating my beautiful insignificant life in the depths of the East Village on those days, sweating it out with the old men, breathing in the glacier water. 

Enjoy this dreary Sunday in nyc — not that my invitation is needed, you've always been so great at living!

Kiss,

Ireland

P.S. Give Afeto by Mayra Andrade a listen. Super good.

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Albert,

Glad you enjoyed Poetry Night - at least some of it. I agree with you in some readings being more favorable than others but ultimately it's nice to have a mixed program (and crowd). It's a good reminder that I'll never please everyone so I might as well just do what I like. Anything else is just cat and mouse... One thing I do notice is certain buzzwords always get a reaction: Anything regarding sex or drugs, exes, patriarchy, politics, etc. These are prominent subjects in our lives so I can't discount the relatability but sometimes it all feels so cheap. It's my opinion that we as writers can, and should, hold our audience to certain standards of intellectual ability and thoughtfulness. It's kind of a shame not to.

Thanks for the tunes. I'll take a listen.

Ireland