‘07August Poetry Postcard Fest

‘07August Poetry Postcard Fest Paul E. Nelson poetrypostcards.blogspot.com

to Robert Daniel (Irie Beard!)Jackson, MI • Robert - 7.26.07 • Irie my long lost • Lutheran Brother ! • How goes the beard • tonight? • The Mountain • was still drunk on • vapors this morning • but rebounded in time • for a pinkened sunset • and a near full • Blood Moon! • May the Emperor festoon • you w/ bloodstones & • may Jah guide. • Blessings – • PAUL NELSON

2. to David-Baptiste Chirot (Mahakala) Milwaukee, WI • David - 7.26.07 • I’m here under • a Blood Moon, near full • have sipped the Yogi’s • nectar (Matcha) mixed • w/ some kind of blood • line concoction BAILEY’S • & full contention • w/ Slaughter I offer • Mahakala so you may • remember • the uselessness of time • & fearlessness of compassion. • Hasta Pronto • Paul Nelson • Slaughter, WA

3. to Anne Hollingsworth (Turtle, 2003)Issaquah, WA • Dear Anne 7.26.07 • For you a turtle • as this Blood Moon waxes • and we begin to see • the USELESSNESS of time. • Could be turtle • could be mandala • but I bathe this card • in ritual ash and hope • for an answer someday. • Many • Blessings – • Paul Nelson • Slaughter, WA

4. to Birgitta Jonsdottir (Raven, red, white, blue)Reykjavik, Iceland • Dearest Birgitta! 7.26.07 • Many Blessings from • under the near full • Blood Moon whose beams • ricochet off The Mountain • after the south-moving sunset • capsizes beyond West Hill • catching this red, white, • blue & black Raven • before he can swallow • time in all its Greasy • manifestations. • Ashé – • con Abrazos! • Paul Nelson – Slaughter, WA

5. to John Davis (Jupiter)Bainbridge Island WA • John – 7.26.07 • Just as suspected • Jupiter still beaming • judicious arson orange • beams of warm waves • upon our hungry planet • just to the right • of the near full Blood • Moon, while The Mountain • still rests still reeling • from all this morning’s • vapors. • Happy August • Paul Nelson – • Slaughter, WA

6. to Constance Wiseman (Lotus Lapover-edge Cup)Greenbank, WA • Slaughter, WA • 7.26.07 • Dear Constance – • Hola! The doppler’s • calling for a Blood • Moon w/ a side • of Jupiter • & an arson • orange sunset to burn • for. Care to join me • for tea? Care for silver • flower & bug festooned • China? Care to dance • at the next Burning Word? • Take Care. • Paul Nelson

7. to Kim Clark (Teaching Little Ones Death) Nanaimo, BC • Slaughter, WA 7.26.07 • Hola Kim – • Not happy • news despite Jupiter • and wacky cards, • despite July’s last sun • set cannonballing • beyond West Hill and • the near full Blood Moon’s • delicate dance over • this particular Slaughter • anger’s got the best • of Pop & he’s getting • hallucinations. Keep well. • - LOVE – Paul N.

8. to Rochelle Nameroff (Red Eagle)El Cerrito CA • Slaughter, WA 7.26.07 • Dear Rochelle – • By divination, an Eagle • (the eagle is experience). • By divination, The Multiverse • (the soul unbound laughing • hard at humans grappling • w/ the uselessness of time). • By divination, summer rain- • water quenching a desert rock. • Happy August! • PAUL N.

9. to Todd Johnson (Chewing Nails)Auburn, WA • Slaughter, WA • 7.26.07 • Todd – • I’m running out of • cuticles and time • to begin again under • a sultry Blood Moon • who dances at the behest • of Jupiter while white • breasts are spied • under the palm trees. • Go forth and birth, yes • go forth & birth your • inner Magician while Rosa • smiles. – Your Brother – Paul Nelson

10. to Frances LeMoine (Only in it for the Monet)Nashua, NH • Slaughter, WA 8.1.07 • Frances, • I’m only in it • for the Monet. • I’m only in it • for August exercise • of psychic muscles • and doorstop zinnias • and poems to stop the chatter • of 1,000 monkeys, • for sleeping weather • and a middle-aged yoga body • swelled by beef jerky • and the tilted windmill thrust for eternity.

11. to Leslie Styles (Weird Tie Marx Bros)Kirkland, WA • Slaughter, WA 8.1.07 • Leslie, • A guru is dying • and everyone wants to cast • the first brick, but • here’s where real comfort • comes in. Water, laughter, • a weird tie and a • fading Blood Moon. w/ each glass • of it (plastic bottle?) I wash away a bit of my • brickness. Watch the red flecks flee. • Paul • Nelson

12. to Jessie Lyle (Ribbon’s Twisted)Seattle, WA • Slaughter, WA 8.1.07 • Jessie! • My ribbon’s twisted • & my favorite crayon • lost, so this missive • to celebrate August • and zinnias, hydration • & the recognition we’re • smooth & free • despite the similarity • of this hairy nest of flesh • to the Broome County Jail. • Abrazos! • Paul Nelson

13. to Denise Calvetti-Michaels (Dragon vs. Phoenix) Kirkland, WA • SLAUGHTER, WA 8.2.07 • Dear Denise – • The Mountain is close • re-routing the sound • of wind through old • rivers in new channels. • Dragon vies w/ Phoenix • & I w/ my night self • on one hand drunk • on stars, the other • the urge to devour • them and make my • rightful mark on Slaughter. • MANY BLESSINGS – Paul Nelson

14. to Therese Broderick (Dali Annihilates Time)Albany, NY • August 2, 2007 • Therese – • Time is not one • of the Twin Falls • and yet I postcard • to annihilate it • as we remember life • -times as moths long • ago. This year Panther • soul, blue-furred and • eyeing all. Together • w/ the certain on-rush • of the end of time • make one continuous ROAR • we pronounce: • August. pN – Slaughter, WA

15. to Tara Betts (Whale’s Cosmic Consciousness)Pearl River, NY • Tara - 8.2.07 • The eagle is experience. • The whale’s cosmic • consciousness (regeneration). • To carry experience past • all the August islands • we encounter, bridges crumble • and we light a candle, pray • for survivors. Some thing • under the waning Blood Moon • connects us. • Blessings, • Paul Nelson • Slaughter, WA

16. to Cathy Ruiz (Mother Turtle)Weed, CA • Slaughter, WA 8.3.07 • for Cathy – • who has gone on • to Weed leaving us • to our just August Slaughter. • Mother Turtle for long • life. Mother Turtle • to re-invent time • in the image of an egg • a cell a song a • ritual – perhaps an August • note wishing you • all the best blessings • only Weed • can offer. Paul Nelson

17. to Michael Dylan Welch (Trent Tea Time)Sammamish, WA • Slaughter, WA 8.3.07 (Tea Cups) • Dear Michael – • A Holy August before • the Bop Apocalypse • makes August Slaughter • look like teatime • in Tieton. Or Trent. • Or imagine the river • at the bottom of Twin • Falls and how our • concept of time could • be questioned by foam • slowly re-entering the flow • just like you and I • and a Monday hike • to postpone our return to Slaughter. - Your Friend • Paul Nelson

18. to Nashira Priester (Che en la destrucción del tiempo) Seattle, WA • Hola Nashira • Aquí en matanza hacemos agosto • santo un ritual en la destrucción del tiempo.Hacemos agosto un plazo de matanza • y encontramos el poema la lucha • articulada para ser tú mismo. ¡Poetas de Viva!Abrazos,Hello Nashira, • Here in Slaughter we make August holy • a ritual in the destruction of time. • We make August a respite from Slaughter • and find the poem the articulate • struggle to be yourself. Viva Poets! • Hugs, • Paul

19. to Amanda Earl (Haida Smiling Whale)Ottawa, Ontario • Castlegar, BC 8.4.07 • Amanda – • Made it to Canada • & found a Haida • (I think) smiling • whale for you. • Made it back • to Canada & the • vibe’s lighter • and the Blood Moon • tho waning nearly • knocked my eye out. • Made it to Canada • & Runes say: PERTHO • - an initiation reminds • me this here body’s • a rental. • Blessings – • Paul • Nelson

20. to Valerie Fetherston (Raven & Indra’s Net)Victoria, BC • Castlegar, BC 8.4.07 • Valerie! • Back here in Canada • staying w/ Linda, sleeping • next to the Bhagavad-Gita • and watching bits • of Dudley’s fur fall • in the light of one • waning Blood Moon. • Raven spits jewels • & Indra’s net • catches a few • more wily bits • of meat • who know that net • is made of Ravens • people and • post • cards. • Love - • Paul • N.

21. to Barbara Palecek (Touching Haida Frogs) Seattle, WA • Castlegar, BC 8.4.07 • Barb! • Saturday in Castlegar, • B.C. and here’s • a Haida frog in beads • and buttons and me • below what’s left • of one Blood Moon • washing away the dead • bits of myself • by touching frogs • and guzzling water • & standing • transfixed • at the stars • that light • the B.C. night • jewels • like you • and • me. • Blessed • Be – • PN

22. to Ruby Dixon (Andy Warhol & Jean-Michel Basquiat) Langley, WA • Nespelem, WA 8.5.07 • Dear Ruby – • At the grave of Chief • Joseph where my offering • was foreign coins, seems • right, enit? • Thunder Rolling Down Mountain • his Nez Perce name • as cocks crow • over & over & • no weapons in my fists • for I, too will fight • no more forever • unless you count • yellowjackets - Best - Paul N.

23. to Jenifer Lawrence (Thunderbirds & Yellow Jackets)Poulsbo, WA • Nespelem, WA 8.5.07 • Jenifer! • Here where Chief Joseph • rests in peace fighting • no more forever even • cocks have stopped this • moment even heat brings • out yellow jackets & bees • pollinate baby • tumbleweeds • as if no • thing could • disturb • or • prevent • August. • Hoit. Paul N.

24. to Gregory Severance (Kolus at Chief Joseph’s Grave)New York, NY • Nespelem, WA 8.5.07 • Gregory – • Now, starting to put my August • stain on this Kolus card • wind begins and cocks stop. • Now there is the certain • snap of grasshoppers. • “I will fight no more forever” • Chief Joseph said, Thunder Rolling • Down Mountain his real name in • our tongue and on his grave • six jelly jars, two apples • many coins • & one large • WA August blessing • for you. • Hoit - PN

25. to Catherine Daly (Gordon Parks and the Border) Los Angeles, CA • Slaughter, WA 8.6.07 • Catherine – • Back in Slaughter • from a respite in Canada • except at the border • “No, I’ve no bombs” • just a three day beard • and a racial profile • as Gordon knew, and now • the clean-up crew arrives • but who’ll gut this rat’s nest • of macho Texas militarism • and ring out the mop, • cook up the antidote to Slaughter? • Happy August! Paul N.

26. to AK Allin (A Cloud Over Argentina)Seattle, WA • Slaughter, WA • 8.6.07 • Mimi – • The weather’s warming up • down here & there’s me • disguised as a cloud • over Argentina • just ticking away • the Ravens (or large • crows) just below • the border line • but AH! from Space • borders? (No comprende) • its just the passengers • on the ship need • to get caught up. • Ah August! • Paul Nelson

27. to Mickey O’Connor (Raven’s Wingbeats)Seattle, WA • Slaughter, WA 8.6.07 • Mickey – • A short drive from Slaughter • where pet cats could be • an Eagle’s lunch, there is • the whoosh whoosh whoosh • of Raven’s wingbeats • (Nature’s registered letter) • the news is something old • and dated’s gonna meet • the maker • & who will have • explaining • to do • ? • MANY BLESSINGS – • PAUL NELSON

28. to Bruce Greeley (Lichtenstein & I’m French)Seattle, WA • Slaughter, WA 8.7.07 • Bruce! • The chili’s cookin’ • Zappa’s away and a • Trader Joe’s Blueberry • raspberry muffin awaits. • I’ve long since shorn • that sinister mustache • melted myself • from one version of wax • and look for the right • tool to (deft & quiet) • dismantle time. Til then • postcards must do • and visits to all • the late Chiefs • summer romance • six irons past the cup • and did I mention • coffee ice cream? • In August I’m French. • Is this cheating? • HtBA! Paul Nelson!

29. to Julene Tripp Weaver (Assorted Poisons)Seattle, WA • Slaughter, WA 8.7.07 • Jarred Beef and Red Bean • chili, blueberry/raspberry • muffin, ground turkey • patties w/ wild rice, • cashew bits, raisins • organic peeled baby • carrots, green onions, • the greens and breezes • of 15 years hence, • no exercise except for • wrist curls of too much • coffee ice cream • damn you Trader Joe • peddling your assorted • poisons! w/ love – • Paul N.

30. to Becky Ellis (Oosumich)Glen Carbon, IL • Slaughter, WA 8.7.07 • Keesta would cleanse • for weeks re-do • his Oosumich, considered • necessary for survival • interspecies mind talk • original energy work • in the traditional way. • Now, high on velocity • and technology, the long term • moments seem • so few, but • the whales • still • smile. • Many Blessings – Paul Nelson

31. to Tish Lester (Instant Karma)Dordrecht, Netherlands • Slaughter, WA • 8.8.07 • This is an Instant Karma • Card. It’s chockfull • of August and bugs • & coffee ice cream • & iced green tea & good • Runes, grand collapses, • panther stamps, war • addiction and context • w/ depth & character. • What you add to it • or take from it • determines its future. • Give  a chance and BURN! Paul Nelson

32. to Linda Lee Crosfield (Dance of the Blue Whales) Castlegar, BC • For Linda Lee • two blue whales doing a jig. • For Linda Lee a card • ripe w/ pleasure from one • Nelson to a Nelsonite. • For Linda Lee power & strength • and patience to deal w/ • a large, loud neighbor • and good aim w/ the • electric yellow jacket • racket • & the Oso Negro • latté. • MANY BLESSINGS • peN • 8.8.07

33. to Lana Ayers (Desperate Sport of Poets) Kirkland, WA • to • Lana: • Who’s helped prepare August • for the desperate sport • of poets; who burns • from the inside out • under the last bit • of blood moon & who knows • the poet chooses from snake, • eagle, bear, human, poet • and sometimes fails • but never w/o • a good • tale. • L • O • V • E _ • Paul Nelson

34. to Ruby Kane and Ami Eaton (Happy Genius)Seattle, WA • Slaughter, WA 8.9.07 • Ruby, Ami – • ¡Hola from Slaughter! • The effort to • destroy time ain’t • going fast as • I’d planned so • postcards postcards postcards • slow it down to a Seattle • August construction – bogged • tempo and despite all the • traffic, the inner crickets, • the 1,000 monkeys and • the yet even more finicky • cat, I’m lonely. But • I’m in my east room • here in Slaughter & if someone • asks, tell ‘em I was a happy • genius. • B • LESSINGS • PEN

35. to Kitty Jospe (Gibbous Earth) Seattle, WA • Slaughter, WA • 8.9.07 • Kitty – • There’s a Gibbous Earth • out tonight, feel like dancing? • The Gibbous Earth wanes • storms appear over • what might be Cuba • this ol’ Blood Moon don’t • feel like a waning • crescent about to go dark • so let us dance some • giant Blood Moon steps • & bound about the Heavens, eh?

36. to Michel Tsouris (Ganesh & Lonely Samba) Clinton, WA • Slaughter, WA 8.9.07 • Michel – • Still falling short • running out of Blood • Moon light to destroy • time, even tho’ Ganesh • got my back even tho’ • each poem writ earns • me a small almond • crisp cookie tho’ I’d • prefer Fat Tire Ale. • Perhaps I am grotesque • around my mirror. • No one watches my lonely samba. Best! peN

37. to Maggie Kelly (Tibetan Prayer Rug Blessings) Tacoma, WA • OLYMPIC SCULPTURE PARK 8.10.07 • Dear Maggie – • It’s 7:53p and not yet • sunset and Olympic Mountains • are that way but not seen. • Wish the band would make up • their mind – hip-hop or polka. • Wish everything could be as • easy as sweet potato cakes • & split pea soup & yogi tea. • But who can complain the Olden- • burg Typewriter Eraser the mountain Hurtling Giant Blessings • lined path y touristas y to you & Tacoma. • one golden ball of flame • sinking into Elliott Bay. Paul Nelson

38. to Matthew Timmons (Art Deco Teacup Sunset) Los Angeles, CA • OLYMPIC SCULPTURE PARK 8.10.07 • Matthew – • Sunset at the Sculpture Park • not as planned w/ Hip-hop • serenade sometimes sounds • like polka but sunset much • further north than expected. • Perhaps the desire to destroy • time’s paying dividends • perhaps I’ve not paid • enuf attention perhaps • the ritual illusion of it all’s • rising to the top of the cup. • Drink up Matt Paul Nelson • 1928 ain’t that long ago.

39. to Cindy Lamb (Woodfrogs @ Sunset) Yakima, WA • OLYMPIC SCULPTURE PARK 8.10.07 • Dear Cindy – • It’s 8:11 and the sun sets and might • burn a hole in that tree before • cannonballing into Elliott Bay and like • frogs poets live in two worlds: one • where reality is solid and nothing what • can’t be touched tasted smelled seen heard; • one behind it sensed as if someone staring • at you, boring a hole • in your spirit not unlike • August and one • more setting • star. • Blessings – • Paul Nelson

40. to Bridget Nutting (Gibbous Earth Awaiting Lightning Moon) Vancouver, WA • Slaughter, WA 8.11.07 • Bridget – • Still a Gibbous Earth • from our Blood Moon • perch tho only a slice • left before we access • new Lightning moon • in Leo. Diane writes • from S.F. pining for • Bridget – not you – • another Goddess. I’m not • searching for God status • will settle for Happy Genius • of my household, pleased • to be destroying time postcard Abrazos! • by • postcard. Paul Nelson

41. to John and Roberta Olson (Dancing Bears Destroying Time) Seattle, WA • Slaughter, WA 8.11.07 • Dear John and Roberta – • August drifts on to the amusement • of dancing bears, snapping grasshoppers • bounding over the graves of Chiefs, • poets and those itching for their lost • indigenousity. • We’ve avoided August • Heat (so far) and what some would translate • as pink flesh I’d call • a Rose of Meat like you two • eating up more sun • abetting the utter • destruction • of • time. • Blessings - Paul Nelson

42. to Christopher Luna (Furious Moptops)Vancouver, WA • Slaughter, WA 8.11.07 • Dr Luna! • Here come 4 moptops • they come grooving • up slow like August • like Canada humming • birds barely moving • til you see the fury • close up. How goes your • August fury? Has it detoured • you from your impending • Phoenix or aid your • reconnoiter of the clouds • of Slaughter? w/ Blessings - Paul • Nelson

43. to Lana Ayers (We Two Woodfrogs)Kirkland, WA • Slaughter, WA 8.12.07 • Dear Sweet Lana – • 1st there was 19th DRAFT • symbolized by woodfrogs • they croak their way • out of chaos created • by the lies of Newton. • Frogs kissed turn into SPlab • into poets shaped by Ilalqo. • May the Striped Water turn • your ills into Blessings • may your song • sink deep • into God’s • loving ear. • Your friend – Paul

44. to Lana Ayers (So Many Moons)Kirkland, WA • Slaughter, WA • 8.12.07 • Lana – • Blood Moon, Ripe Plum • Full Moon, Moon over Sun- • setting Cascades, New • Moon in Leo, Lightning • Moon, pining for the Hunger • Moon, so many moons, so • little space on these cards • & you & I a moon apart. • Will the Crackbook in fifty • years have a “Moons I’ve • Visited” feature? And what • will come of all these cards? • Lost in the fog of the digital age • or the first salvos of the last • paradigm necessary? • Love - Paul Nelson

45. to Arlene Naganawa (Good Afternoon Frog Card) Seattle, WA • Slaughter, WA 8.11.07 • Arlene! • It has come to this. A land • defended by ancestors • of Stuckabsh who evolved • from snake people who night • mared themselves over invaders • in love w/ the smothering • nature of asphalt who see (saw) • the frog as messenger between • realms who mimic the poets • w/ a cheery croak in the morning • in the evening • in the good afternoon • w/ a frog card • to you. • Redeep! • Paul Nelson

46. to Deborah Brink (Lightning Moon, Comet Card) Longview, WA • YAKIMA, WA • 8.12.07 • DEBORAH! • Lightning Moon over Yakima • but noone sees it, so • new, but it’s there • for now because plums • have fallen postcards • are flying & the destruction • of time is right on • schedule. So here • in room 107 of Cedar’s • Inn they’ve left a • sonnet clock that, in red • numbers says 5:41. • The card is done. • Happy August – Paul Nelson

47. to Suzanne Edison (Einstein in Yakima)Seattle, WA • Yakima, WA 8.12.07 • Suzanne! • Here in Yakima a room • at the Cedar’s Inn festooned • w/ a sonnet clock! • Same poetics as the School • of Quietude, but some • see the organic, try • to fake it, send out • the same old poem • over and over. Some prefer • postcards over sunsets. • Not us, eh? Abrazos! • Paul Nelson

48. to Florencia Milito (1 Family Under Brother Panther’s Ojo) San Francisco, CA • Yakima, WA 8.12.07 • ¡Hola Florencia! • Que tal? Here in Yakima • the cuisine’s been changing • to mas frijoles yet few • celebrate the coming • of the Lightning Moon • or the passing of the Ripe • Plum Moon. Indeed here • the clock says Sonnet • & my measure’s a post • card & our family stays • together under • Brother Panther’s • watchful • ojo. • Abrazos - Pablito

49. to Kim Bridgford (Tibetan Rug Card Recipe)Wallingford, CT • Yakima, WA 8.12.07

‘07August Poetry Postcard Fest