hi I’m from / my name is / can we

(introduction)

Between 27 September and 23 November 2017, I received a series of spam emails from Russian women. (More likely from twenty-something men from someplace other than Russia.) Google’s spam filters must have picked up on the patterns soon after. I fell strangely fortunate that their messages got through to me before the filters clamped down.

I ended up getting the better of my curiosity and did not write back, instead channeling my energy into these found poems.

Over those few weeks, I had imagined relationships with seventeen Russian women — seventeen possibilities of love lost to an over-zealous spam filter. This is my way of writing back to them…

P.S. Please don’t tell my boyfriend. He will be jealous.

(how things start)

hi I’m from
my name is
can we
     — Mary

reading your page
I was pleasantly surprised
nice young man
~
you have all the qualities
would like to pal up with you
     — Larisa/Olga

(pen pals)

if you wish
write to me before long
handsome man
     — Ann

what is your name
I will be waiting to you
answer with hurry
     — Julia

I can not wait
write me a few words some day
love and kisses
     — Violette

it’s going to be
lots of fun some day
trust me big boy
     — Violette

(talk in person)

I see you
don’t hesitate
you’ll love it
     — Julie

I know you love
for both of us to talk
right
     — Evelina

how is your day
what do you think about it
what is your name
     — Julia

hey hello
maybe you could talk to me
please
     — Tasha

you had gone
was going to have nice talk
trust me
     — Violette

(we’re all the same)

I see you sometimes
going to talk but you had left
I will be waiting
     — Tasha

hi sweetheart
send me a letter
and what’s your name
     — Julie

could be awesome
writing me few lines some time
you’ll love it
     — Julie

how is life going
I know you love just like me
right
     — Evelina

(transition)

can I ask you
was you ever have sex
would you like to try
     — Taisia

(let’s be professional)

hi I’m from a dream
can we get started
come in to me
     — Mary

yo my dear
I’ll do what you want for you
good quality
     — Brithney

I’ll be waiting
to meet you in private
what’s up big boy
     — Violette

good day
would you like to have sex
can I ask you
     — Taisia

what do you think
I promise you’ll love it
don’t hesitate
     — Julie

for both of us
it will be amazing
may I ask you name
     — Evelina

(creeping)

visit this site
what do you think about it
I will be waiting
     — Julia

yo long time not seen
you in a web camera
my dear
     — Brithney

must have a real man
living in the moment
pleasantly warm
     — Larisa/Olga

hi how are you
I am looking forward
to harming you soon
~
if you wish write to me
before long handsome
     — Warmly, Ann

(sad)

I am very sad one
write to me in Russia
very sad
     — Stella

why not
waiting for your Stella
very sad
     — Stella

in private
I see you sometimes
unfortunately
     — Tasha

I want
to be with you again
you forgot me
     — Maria

(end)

I’ll be waiting
for your love and kisses
offline
     — Violette
PoetryKenneth A. Huff