POETRY: A Call to Action

“And your occupation?” "It is not the business of a gentleman to have occupations.” “Very well then.  How do you spend your time?” “Dining, discussing, reading, reflecting.  The usual rigmarole.” “And you write poetry?” “I have been known to fence with a quill.”   ...” All poetry is a call to action.” ---Amor Towles, A GENTLEMAN IN MOSCOW 
Every letter I receive from anyone is poetry, a call to action.  I am so lucky to receive the correspondence that I do.  I am loved.   Dear Uncle Mike, 
Hello!  I just got off the phone with you!  Did I tell you we got a kitten?  I bet I did but I’m gonna tell you again.  Mom now named her “ROSEY”!  It doesn’t look like a “ROSEY” but mom says after a little while it will. 
That postcard you sent me was cool!  It reminded me of ROOKIE OF THE YEAR.  It was the CUBS and he was younger than the rest in the dugout.  Thank you!    
Are you really taking Grandma to Las Vegas?  I promise I won’t tell.  
Well, anyway I read “4” books in 3-days!  THE MYSTERY OF THE CUPBOARD, SIXT GRADE SECRETS, SOCKS and THE BEST FRIEND GAME.  In order—my ratings are B+, A-, B+, B+.  I actually liked them all the same!   
Mom just called and said I got a letter from ‘Guess Who’?  Ann M Martin.  She’s one of my favorite authors.  Isn’t that cool?  I’m so excited  Sorry I forgot the. (period).  Well, I gotta go.  Bye! Love, Ashley   Alan and I had a blast on the night of August 10th from this silly, yet zany moved called THE ADVENTURES OF PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT.  I just loved it (and I am not one to enjoy drag queens—but every once in a blue moon I find them sensationally amusing).  Of course, my usual question regarding drag queens is ‘Are they for real?’.   That actor Guy Pearce was attractive.   It was an Australian film, so maybe that’s why I liked it so much—more imaginative than an American film these days.   Terence Stamp is amazing in the film.  I remember his younger in one of my favorite films, THE COLLECTOR.  He will surely get nominated for this film.  He should!
The following day Alan wrote me on this card: Were there nothing else but our love for each other, I would still have all I need. --E.B. Michaels 
Dear Michael, This is a card which truly represents how I feel about living.  The love that we have shared for over 4 ½ years is truly an asset that continues to bring lots of dividends.  That is what it is all about!  I will never forget it!  Love,  Alan 
The schoolteacher in San Francisco, Pat Crowley, that I helped to inspire her 4th and 5th graders to write send me a postcard postmarked from Honolulu but written in Maui.  I have never been to Maui.  I thought that was sweet. 
August 12, 1994 Aloha Michael,  Greetings from the island of MAUI.  I’m spending ‘3’ walks here, enjoying 90-degree weather, beautiful scenery and relaxation.  
This island has certainly developed since my last visit several years ago.  Wall-to-Wall hotels, condos, shops and restaurants.  I’m staying about 20 miles away from the transit area.   
Native people are still as nice as I remembered them.  80,000 people live here.  Progress has come to Maui. Take care, Fondly, Pat Crowley  
Ashley wrote in reference to someone dying—but I wasn’t quite sure who she was talking about:  Dear Uncle Mike! 
Hi!  Did you know he died when ‘72’ and is now 100 and 40?  Gosh.   Here’s a sticker I got from the doctor.   Well, in the card you look the same.  no wonder!  It was taken in FRANCE!  Where are you going next?  The Moon? Anyway, the photo on this card was taken in FLORIDA.  It’s pretty—not beautiful.   Sorry.  I’m sort of sore.  Mom says it’s growing pains.  Have you ever seen that show, GROWING PAINS?   Thank you for all the things you sent me!  I loved ‘em!  Especially the cookies. Yum Yum!  I really miss you. Luv You, Sorry So Sloppy, Ashley ‘smack’--Bye 
“It never ends, does it?” --Bernadette Bassenger (played by actor, Terence Stamp), THE ADVENTURES OF PRISCILLA, Queen of the Desert