Dearest Gertrude,

 

I’ve found another woman. She’s more cultured than you, better educated, has a better sense of humor than you, cooks better than you, she plays a dozen instruments (all better than you), and she doesn’t complain nearly as much as you do, my darling. And that’s not to mention her looks – her eyes shine like pearls, and at night she can be quite astonishing. Her name is Valerie Lavoine, and to watch her walk, to hear her speak, and merely to be in her presence is perhaps the greatest gift the Fates have ever set before me. She is my muse – ever since I first laid eyes on her, the music has flown like hot water rushing from a spring, whereas with you it would drip down like custard, if at all.

 

And yet, I can’t stop thinking of you. COME TO PARIS. This place is a dump, but it’s a hell of a lot nicer than Indianapolis. Here, at least, everyone knows they’re living in a dump and can laugh about it. The streets are alive with mirth – only after one comes to Paris does one realize how repressed folks are back home. No one hear has any Puritan pretensions about decency or love. I was strolling home from the café with mon bon ami Gaston – you remember, that one who paints lizards with human genitalia – and I swear to you, this couple was just about ready to have it out right there on the streets! It’s simply fantastic! One can walk around for three minutes, and see enough astonishingly human behavior that one is given enough inspiration to write a thousand symphonies! If only I could bring my staff paper and my piano with me out on my late evening strolls, I would perhaps have been able to record half the melodies that come to me as I embrace the Parisian night, for as you recall my memory for music is shamefully abysmal for a composer of my, albeit self-proclaimed, stature.

 

As for the work, I’ve written a couple sonatines which you might like, which I’ve attached, and the octet is still coming along. I’ll send that once it’s done. Shouldn’t be more than a week. Send Deirdre and Ebenezer my love.

 

A loving embrace,

Ezekiel