Low-key Haiku
Like sketch notes, but turning imagery into words, rather than the other way around
This letter was originally sent out to subscribers of the Love:Letters mailing list, a weekly longer-form email series from the desk of Ryan Hamrick at ALFA Studios, on July 6th, 2019.
If you’re interested in personal, honest stories and thoughts on life as an independent designer, parent, spouse, and more, sign up by clicking the image below, and I’ll see you in your inbox this weekend.
I hope all of you readers in the U.S. have had some nice downtime this week around the holiday. Brooke and I had a great time in San Diego last weekend and for half of the week, and since she was taking the rest of the week off for her first and much needed break of the year so far, I’ve been doing a whole lot of chilling as well. It’s been so great. I’ve caught up on some overdue sleep debt, we’ve watched some great movies and the new season of Stranger Things — really lovely.
I can’t help but be a bit unsure how I feel about this holiday in recent years. It’s a celebration of an incredible historical feat, and the beginning of what truly is the most important and meaningful human experiment ever. At the same time, rocking American flag gear, being exuberantly “patriotic”, and getting excited about blowing things up has the potential to say something about a person that has become…let’s say, undesirable.
At any rate, in enjoying my week of downtime with my wife, I don’t have a long letter for you this week. I wouldn’t want to keep y’all glued to your email apps on what’s likely an extended weekend for many of you as well, anyway. 😌
So what I have for you instead, are the results of the way I chose to “sketch” my time in California and this holiday week. My “Low-key Haiku”.
Wings are like weapons
Battling the jealous air
To keep flight alive
Seagulls dancing high
Across my balcony ledge
Fear not the long fall
Do not feed the birds
They aren’t wise enough to know
You’re not really friends
Put a bird on it
Cliffs, cars, and balcony rails
Even on scooters
Patient envelopes
Oscillating listlessly
Waiting for the wave
Southwest to and from
Austin and San Diego
Neither route southwest
Landing in Austin
Cellular service returns
With it, real summer
Loud, late, and loathsome
Never really worth the cash
Yay, independence?
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’Til Soon,
