This particular love story happened to coincide at a time and circumstance where there is no public evidence that these two lovers and their affaire de coeur existed at all. But it did indeed exist. The ambiguity of this story is intentional – no names, no backstory between the characters beyond what is revealed through their conversation. It, and they, simply exist in time, known only through their words to each other. The jump cuts across time and the topic renders it not an archive of their correspondence; instead, it is something abstract, like bits of memories resurfacing in a dream.

The experience of writing this story remains as dialectically real and surreal as the entire experience that inspired it. Although the presentation of this work is one that is ostensibly authored by two people, it is really a conversation with myself and a conversation with a ghost. In an exchange not included in this story, he once said, “you are a very open and honest woman, always have been, always will be i think.” This work is an expression of my soul’s longing to try to live up to that ideal. When I think about what he might think if he ever sees this, I hope that sentiment – along with a few private others – remains.

Published in 2025, your subtle repetition is a 56-page zine published by après editions in Denver, Colorado. The covers are printed on 100# French Insulation Pink Construction with a letterpress title handset in vintage 18pt Coronet Bold and printed on a Vandercook IV press. Interior pages printed on 24# Neenah Royal Sundance Cotton Bright White. Bound with black velvet ribbon.