Thanksgiving letter sent in response to a shared poem

Wednesday 11/26/25

As it says.

Hello, brother,

Was thinking about you over the weekend with the BC-Maine games out in Chestnut Hill. Strange results--the winner of each won rather easily, which doesn't usually occur unless it's just one team doing the winning. Looked at the new rankings yesterday and saw that there isn't a single Hockey East team in the top ten. Speaking of things that don't often happen. When is the last time that did? Somewhat concerning. I'm surprised about BU. I believe they were the preseason number one team, and now they're twentieth. 

As for this poem: Well, I guess it's not entirely false, at least. "...prefer the gay stuff" can certainly be how it works. Or the Dominican stuff (Junot Diaz). The Native American stuff (Tommy Orange). The Black stuff (Roxane Gay). Anything but the stuff stuff--which is to say, the real stuff. 

What always stands out to me though is when there's a meaningless spurt like this, and then there's this accompanying "author's note" and that author is just so sanctimonious and serious about themselves, and the note is longer than the poem or the story. They go on and on and on, and then you look at the work, and it's something a sixth grader could knock out in twenty seconds. The amount of delusion is immense. 

The world would be a better place if we told people "no" more often. As in, no, you're not good at this. And, no, people wouldn't want to read that. And no, you shouldn't get an MFA. But it's like delusions are sacrosanct with these people, because they're all they have.

In a cheerier mode: Allow me to wish you a happy Thanksgiving. I'm glad you're out there, I'm grateful you are, and for you being on my side. Hope you have a wonderful day with your family. I'll be here working and you'll see some of that work soon. A handshake in my thoughts.