Dear Isabel (Letter/10)
The End of June 2015 Page 12, paragraph 1 Can you tell me the names of journalists you respect whose work you could also accurately describe as “Self-serving, theatrical, and soothing”? The part of you…
Author: Mark J. Chmiel
Dear Isabel (Letter/9)
Monday 29 June 2015 Dear Isabel Glad you had friends visiting over the weekend and that you now have a little more space for your daily practices and chill time/spaces. Page 11, paragraph 1 Don…
Simple But Hard
Don’t start thinking of Gross Anatomy beginning in 5 months Just be here now Don’t get depressed by the upcoming summer convention spectacles Just be here now Don’t panic because of everything that has to…
The Way It Looked in 1991
What other country can point to a record of greater selflessness than Cuba has displayed in its relations to Africa? –Nelson Mandela
Mai’s Watercolors Are on the Wall
With Dinh, Mai, Na, and Nga Huynh; Middletown, KY; circa 1985
After Our Visit, Bella Levenshteyn Sent Me This Text
Just cried many many happy/grateful/I miss you/what did I do to deserve Perry’s friendship/I-love-you-so-eternally tears –from Our Heroic and Ceaseless 24/7 Struggle against Tsuris
Dear Isabel (Letter/8)
Sunday 28 June 2015 Pages 9-10 Dear Isabel You can feel free to cal me all the Spanish swear words you know, but I think—get ready to attack—you are way too hard on yourself. I’m referring…
The Journey of a Billion Miles Begins with a Single Breath
You have to get below the roiling waves of anger You have to stand shoulder-deep in sadness Then you can water your compassion and embrace one person after another Then you can see yourself in…
Dear Isabel (Letter/7)
Friday 26 June 2015 Dear Isabel Happy Friday, you’ve finished one week at the new job. Page 8, top paragraph I take back what I said yesterday about boycotting the word “solidarity.” That first sentence…
Dear Isabel (Letter/6)
Thursday 25 June 2015 Dear Isabel And so I continue…. Page 6, paragraph 1 The needs you mention here (arising from your journalistic writing in a specific place) aren’t peculiar or idiosyncratic—all humans have the…