Naked Writing

Good-bye

Dear __________,

I’m writing to submit my resignation. In two weeks, we’ll no longer bicker about the arbitrary placement of commas, the lack of lookie-loos, the quiet emptiness that creates a distance now too large for us to connect with one another. I’m not sure if it’s your age or hair color or social status but we never did connect. The closest we came was after his death. Your wisdom, experience, and hair color came in handy. You lived through something similar, actually, something far worse than similar.

You know what it is to say good-bye—to wake up the next day and continue living life as though none have ever ended. You have immense strength. I have learned from you. It is not easy doing this, saying good-bye. Every time I do it, I feel a walnut in my stomach. I’m a glutton for guilt.

As you know, we will keep in touch (we always do). It will be like before, only with more time in between.

—Until one day we think to ourselves, “When was the last time I saw her? She was wonderful.”

AKR

Postcard #4

Dear J,

I don’t want to see your balls. Or any of your genitalia whatsoever. I’m not sure what’s wrong with the country these days—the need for wanting to look at a grown man’s genitalia and whatnot. Back in my day, we only looked at drawings of genitalia, and usually, only women. Or at least, that’s what I’d like you to think.

Sincerely yours,

AKR

P.S. Are they photoshopped?

Postcard #3

Dear ___________________,

I called to tell you this: “______________” and this, “___________________.” I sensed it was something you didn’t want to hear. Mostly because you called me an asshole. Not to my face, but I know you said it. You said, “Bitch, cunt.” You said, “Call me one day when you’re crying, miserable, done with your life.”  I said, “_______________________” and, “________________________.” You never heard me. You hung up.

Love,

_____________________

(akr)

Postcard #2

I was going to write a postcard. It was going to say:

Dear ____________:

I am naked and you are not here. There is a mirror with your fingerprints and I touch each spot. 1. 2. 3. I have been sitting waiting for your stare. Your breath. I breathe.

Tired, I put my clothes back on. Clean the mirror with Windex and yesterday’s newspaper.

Love,

_______________

(akr)