Today in the news a young couple in Nova Scotia were renovating their house and found love letters written by their late father — when he was stationed in France— written to their mother. She had tucked the missives into the wall, and when her children went to fix old wiring, came upon a cache of about 27 letters. There’s a book or screenplay, or both, I thought, in that discovery. The letters were about 50 years old. And both parents long gone.
On Monday I got a letter from Australia, from poet and visual artist, Jessica Hiemstra-van der Horst (why don’t I have such an impressive name?) who had written me a letter in December of 2010. The envelope got waylaid in the Tightrope offices, under manuscripts and grant proposals. Once the move took place this past weekend, it reappeared, I got hold of it and immediately got in touch with her.
Jessica is now in Sierra Leone (there’s a story there, I just don’t know it yet) and has an idea for a book she wants me to be part of. Thankfully I reached her and it’s not too late for me to take part. It’s not that often one is asked to take part in a book so I am thrilled. The concept is fascinating, involving the translating, “laterally or literally” of a poem that she wrote and sent to me.
In 2010 Jessica and I were the two Honourable Mentions in the Descant/ Winston Collins Prize for Best Canadian Poem, so that’s what made her think of me. I love the random synchronicity of events that often take place in the world of publishing. It’s just such a treat to be thought of when someone has a project in mind and wants to include you in it — even before they see what you’ll come up with. The coolest part of this is that I have never met Jessica in person, but admire her poetry tremendously.
I thought as I opened my letter from Australia, how seldom one receives a hand-written letter. It’s almost anachronistic. I love stamps, penmanship, the whole aesthetic experience of a letter. We must bring them back! Write a letter today, it will be treasured.
