Three Thank You Notes I Have Been Meaning To Write…….Addresses Unknown

I

Dear Walt Whitman,

I love writing poetry, like you.  I read “Song of Myself” the other day.  Your beautiful 

poem from Leaves of Grass that I love.

I cannot imagine what it was like for you living during the Civil War but I know what it means to want to celebrate the diversity of people.

We are not the same sex.  You are male and I, well, I am female, but what does that mean I ask myself.  You understand, don’t you?

We need more of your optimistic kind today.  Celebrating in the streets our differences

Thank you for understanding.  I don’t feel so lonely now that I have heard

your voice.

II

Dear Anzia Yezierska,

I am a believer is education for everyone, just like you.

I read your book, Bread Givers, the other day, it was so beautifully written.  

I cannot imagine the poverty on the lower east side of New York you lived through to write about, but I understand your need to walk away from a man who wanted to own you and I know what it is like to feel over worked.

You are of a different faith than I.  You being Jewish and I being, well I am not sure, you understand don’t you?

We need more of your determined kind today.  Standing up to stereotypes by being one’s self.

Thank you for understanding.  I don’t feel so afraid of my future now that I have heard

your voice.

III

Dear Toni Morrison,

I am a woman like you.  I read Beloved the other day. Your masterpiece is what

they are calling it. 

I cannot imagine what it was like to be a slave as you so vividly

write about for the generations now living.  But I know what it is to be haunted by traumatic memories.

We are not of the same race,  You are African-American, I, well I am not sure now what to call myself, you understand, don’t you?

We need more of your empowered kind today.  Teaching people to heal and cultivate diversity.

Thank you for understanding.  I don’t feel so lost in the past now that I have heard  

your voice.

By: Amanda Cook