"Did I Get Any Mail?"

Tend to the spirit, the mind and the body, and then establish a balance between the three.
--Betrayal of Love and Freedom,
A novel by Paul Huljich

It felt funny.   I was still living at mom’s house.   She would leave for work and I would be arriving home just as she was leaving.  
My first question to mom was always, “Did I get any mail?”
“It’s right there.”
I’d love it when I’d receive something personal.   This week I received a few cards from Dustin Nipper.  The one she sent of the sole woman, standing reminded me of her (tall, sleek, slender, elegant).  

I knew a letter from Paloma would be coming soon.   I made a point to write her because I found a cool card that I just loved.  I knew she’d appreciate it.  I suppose Dustin would’ve loved it, too—but I had another one for her.
I was impressed by the artistic images that Dustin had found for me with these two cards that I had received that were dated October 4th.

October 4, 1989


Dear Michael,I thought that you might enjoy this postcard.   It was not originally a postcard but you’ve seen my wonderful handwriting.  


I am very excited and looking forward to my Birthday!   I will be the first to admit that I feel as if I should be older…but one day I will be and I will wish to be younger.   LIFE is such a vicious circle sometimes.  It can be very confusing as well.   I am very happy and excited for you about the news of your condo.I guess I should get your new phone number.   I guess I don’t want to admit the reality of you leaving.  I also understand that it is something that you feel you have to do and I understand your need to be on your own.   I will miss you but that is something I will have to deal with.  
This card is called “ISABELLA AND HER POT OF BASIL”.   The other one is called “THE ANGEL AND SAINT CECELIA”.   I must go off to bed but I shall leave you with words from Poe: “WITH THE DEEP, UNTOLD DELIGHT OF LOVES’S SERENITY; THE CLASSIC BROW, LIKE LILIES WHITE
AND PALE AS THE IMPERIAL NIGHT,
UPON HER THRONE, WITH STARS BEDIGHT,
ENTHRALLED MY SOUL TO THEE!" Love, DustyMuch later, I learned that Edgar Allan Poe wrote a letter to Isadore and that excerpt of a poem included much more.  It is so romantic:

Beneath the vine-clad eaves,Whose shadows fall before
Thy lowly cottage door--
Under the lilac's tremulous leaves--


Within thy snowy clasped handThe purple flowers it bore.
Last eve in dreams, I saw thee stand,
Like queenly nymph from Fairy-land--


Enchantress of the flowery wand,Most beauteous Isadore!
And when I bade the dream
Upon thy spirit flee,
Thy violet eyes to me
Upturned, did overflowing seem
With the deep, untold delight


Of Love's serenity;Thy classic brow, like lilies white
And pale as the Imperial Night
Upon her throne, with stars bedight,
Enthralled my soul to thee!


Ah! Ever I beholdThy dreamy, passionate eyes,
Blue as the languid skies
Hung with the sunset's fringe of gold;


Now strangely clear thine image grows,And olden memories
Are startled from their long repose
Like shadows on the silent snows
When suddenly the night-wind blows
Where quiet moonlight lies.


Like music heard in dreams,Like strains of harps unknown,
Of birds for ever flown,
Audible as the voice of streams
That murmur in some leafy dell,
I hear thy gentlest tone,
And Silence cometh with her spell
Like that which on my tongue doth dwell,
When tremulous in dreams I tell
My love to thee alone!


In every valley heard,
Floating from tree to tree,
Less beautiful to me,
The music of the radiant bird,
Than artless accents such as thine
Whose echoes never flee!Ah! How for thy sweet voice I pine:--
For uttered in thy tones benign
(Enchantress!) This rude name of mine
Doth seem a melody!

I found a classic photograph in a magazine and creatively made it into a card for Paloma and I couldn’t wait to mail it to her.  It depicted a young couple (like us) mesmerized with each other.  I wrote:  
October 5, 1989Dear Paloma,How’s this card?  It’s an original.  I made it myself. 
I received your two bike cards yesterday.   They’re at my desk at this very moment.  I love ‘em.  And I’m glad you finally got the box.  I figured the outfit for Jonathan would be too big but if that box took any longer it would’ve fit perfectly.  Ha-ha.   I’m glad Alexandre liked the Champagne and the wine.  You’re all very welcome.   Anything for my European friends.   Is Jonathan adjusting to school now?  Ashley just started kindergarten about a month ago.  Did I tell you my sister in law, Sherri, is pregnant again?   It’s due in April or May 1990.  It’ll be nice to get a BOY this time, considering my four nieces (Ashley, Lauren, Leigh and Holly).   I’m excited about moving to L.A.  I already have address labels made.  My phone service goes in on November 1, 1989 (the new tel# is 1-213-652-4621) and I plan to move my things in on October 31, 1989 (Halloween…6-years from the night we met).   I may physically move-in on November 27, 1989.   I’m working on a transfer to the same job in L.A. (only a half hour drive from where I’ll be living). 
PHOTO:  1010 Palm Avenue, West Hollywood, CA

Black jeans are COOL, when they fade they look even cooler.  I love ‘em.  Enjoy.  You have good/excellent taste, Paloma.   Any shirt you find for me would be a plus!   Love You, Michael







On October 7, 1989 I was in Los Angeles and I took a photo of the front of my new building at 1010 N. Palm Avenue in West Hollywood along with the swimming pool area.  It all seemed to be good enough for me 'for the time being'.  A few days later Dusty sent me another note via a WEST SIDE STORY postcard.   I thought that was a creative choice pick.  She remembered how much I adored Natalie Wood.  Dusty wrote:


October 9, 1989, 7:05PM (at work)Dear Michael,
…Just thought that you would enjoy this card!


I thought it was neat (being that Natalie Wood is on it and all).  Hope your day is great. 
Love, DustyTo love, make love, talk about it, make love again.  Love has office hours.  Love has overtime.  He remembered it all like a nightmare.  Passion is right only for people who are afraid.   Afraid of not being able to take everything.   And afraid of not being able to give everything.-Colette, THE PURE AND THE IMPURE