As I said last night to my surprise

I love myself in all my elements.

I know that the atomic weight

of iridium is seventy-seven.

I have read “Satan Says”

and “The Dead and the Living.”

I did get squeamish on the trimaran,

but I got back to shore.

I am Missouri wet-mesic prairie,

dry cordgrass and alluvium.

This will not be the last time

I fold the paper in three parts,

emboss my return address on the envelope,

thumb push the stamp to the upper right

hand corner, lick the gummy seal

and close it; I'm in here alive

and I will let you know it.