Paper Blossoms in Winter

To the one cutting paper at the window,

In winter a paper flower is pasted on the window glass. This letter comes from some winter after 1994. It is cream recycled stock with a delicate, expressive italic serif title. In one corner is a finely worked rose-pink folk papercut blossom. Along the margins are tiny martial-arts stances in navy ballpoint, as if someone had been shadow-boxing while writing. There is also a sage-green slip like a bus ticket and a warm ocher seal.

A paper flower has no scent, but the plum blossom in winter does: "A few branches of plum at the corner of the wall bloom alone against the cold. From afar I know it is not snow, for a hidden fragrance drifts my way." — Wang Anshi, "Plum Blossoms" (Song dynasty)

That is why we cut flowers from paper and also write letters on it: the flower will not be fragrant, but the words can be warm. Welcome. Put down the scissors, pick up a pen, and write to someone who needs to be remembered this winter.

Warm wishes through the glass

Storm Post Office

After 1994 · One winter

P.S. Mind your fingers when you cut paper flowers.