When you get home after a long day at work and you open the mail and in the envelope, you find a poetry chapbook… But not any chapbook: it’s Leila’s chapbook! Leila–one of your oldest NYC friends. You met her in Coney Island and talked for six hours straight. When you think about that day three things come to mind: corn, beer, and sand. You’ve had the best Easter lunch at her parents’ house in Park Slope. You tell her things about yourself that you wouldn’t dare tell anyone. She was the only friend who shared your “soap opera phase” and watched “Avenida Brasil” with you. You love to watch her dance. And you laugh and laugh and laugh anytime you’re together. At times, you laugh at things that should actually make you cry–but that’s a defense mechanism (you think) you have in common. And for the past twelve years, you’ve read and admired her work. You’ve cheered her on during her MFA. You’ve seen her voice take shape on the page. And what a voice…!
In Arabic and Hebrew, Leila means “night” and you, you have always been a night person. Night hours are for writing. For sleeping. For eating. For dancing. For laughing. And Leila sure can dance. And laugh. You are so happy for her, that all you can do is blow the world some kisses. Some very happy kisses.
Congratulations and rock on, Leila! I can’t wait to read “Girl Life”. Check out Leila’s poems at: http://www.recreationleague.org.
