April Littrell
Overdue hellos
Hello friends! Life has been happening a lot recently and I’ve left many of you in various states of abandonment. I’m no ghost, and this is an attempt to reconcile my radio silence during holiday break after unraveling a helluva lot of burnout.
I was sifting through old papers and found a list of epigrams I’d written years ago dedicated to long lost acquaintances. Stealing from yourdictionary.com, epigrams:
…have a very broad definition. What one person considers an epigram, another may consider an elegy, poem, or perhaps even a song. The most basic definition of an epigram is a brief, clever, and memorable statement. Some of them are formulated with satirical purposes in mind, and others are purposely meant to be confusing.
And so, without further ado, please find your epigram below…
Oh, and if you’re wondering what I’ve been up to, I wrote a little recap of the past year here. Please excuse any tinge of underlying dread—I was a bit of a sadgirl that day.
Alex
Reminiscing on chicken—what Katya and I affectionately call Gikken. I spy your new site. Wish Affe had worked out, though I likely couldn’t afford one, let alone the NFT. Still dreaming of a return to EU where we can grab a beer in Berlin.
Bert
Was reorganizing a bookshelf when I came across the comic book I bought in Ghent in that fantastical place by the river where we swapped pawns. Another fond memory of the boat bar. あなたの夢の日本でのキャリアは見つかりましたか。
Caroline
How are your cross-state rendezvous? Come catch sun in CA—would be lovely to tour LA with you! In the midst of brain research? Mom find love? Pups since Coco? Our time in NYC was too short.
Dima
Got your Italian postcard, haven’t responded, wish I were there! Impress me with your Portuguese. I’ve eschewed vertical climbs for mountainous slogs. Eyes on Orizaba this coming year. Sending well wishes to your family in UA.
Ellen
Infinite phone tag! Haven’t gotten to congratulate your marriage—will save excitement and stories for our eventual audio interference. Our last meet in Lititz was eons ago. The oldest flame in this list. Kippis!
Emily
My Moto skills in Bali were abysmal, but now I’ve got a 650 twin engine and could barrel us across the island. KEVRI alive and well? I still wear those $0.001 pants from the crowded market. Missing my eastern home. You dream of Kuala Lumpur?
Igor
Your sent songs spark sweet sadness. Miss your laughter. Our drunken dialogues on the iron horse. May your inspiration live ever on. Staying safe? Wherever you are, I know you’re keeping the place warm with words and unbridled cheer.
Jake
Though we’ve drifted, I often daydream of our disk days on the mall. Professor Smith yet? Wonder which records you’ve scratched this holiday season. Miss late night study banter. Need a roomie reunion… meet us in the bay.
Jenna
Just caught you on the telephone. Cut short. An abridged slideshow of years past rehearsed in an instant. Time’s a funny thing. You reminded me spending time with yourself is okay. A peaceful emergence from solitude worth the painful patience.
Johnny
Yesterday, France. Tomorrow, the moon? More likely Korea. Went snowboarding recently and still the best time I’ve slid slopes was with you. All of life still a stage? Marveling at your career. Send love to Elisa. Your magnet’s on the fridge.
Sue
Perennial penpal, your last letter’s unread but not forgotten. I selfishly unselfishly await proper time to respond. Haven’t been to campus since graduation. Returning would be romantic—and make me feel old. Sending all the goodness in the world.
And because you asked:
Katya
Writing to the closest as if from afar. Thankful distance is no longer in our vocabulary. Writing across like Lviv Chocolate. Both softer with time. Awaiting all that’s yet to discover. The greatest novelty, your constant comfort. Mosht.