'With my weak organs I am very fond of you'

How to sign off

Sep 3, 2021

I’m currently reading Lydia & Maynard, which is a collection of letters—pictured above—between Russian ballerina Lydia Lopokova and English economist John Keynes, first published back in 1989. I’m yet to finish the book so can’t give a proper verdict; however, I can give a verdict on the sign-offs that close each of Lopokova’s letters, which I noticed and fell in love with immediately—so much so that I skimmed through the book to feast on them like a child with no self-control. My professional verdict is that they’re magnificent, and I really have to share some of my favourites with you. So here we go, chronologically but not exhaustively. I typed these out with my own fair fingers, just for you, and if you don’t enjoy them, we must cease to be friends.

1922

I blend my mouth and heart to yours.
L.

I gobble you from head to foot.
L.

I cover you with kisses full of flame.
L.

With caresses as large as sea I stretch out to you.
L.

I taste your buttons.
Lydia

Primitive love kisses to you.
Lydia

I put restful quiet strokes all over you.
Lydia

1923

Mucous membrances to you.
L.

Constructive kisses.
L.

You are very nice even if secretly married.
L.

Balancing touches on and into your eyes.
Lydia

I give you my pulsations.
L.

Touches on your pleasing complexion.
L.

Unpremeditated kiss.
Lydia

To you I send a chirp from under the left breast.
Lydia

Kisses to your state of mind.
L.

Your stag with fleetest of the legs.
L.

With positive sympathy in all your directions.
L.

With tenderness to you and your navel pupsie.
L.

Palpitations to you.
L.

1924

Crosses for everything you do.
L.

Rhythmical mental flux for you.
L.

I feel very strong and I gobble you in a new fashion.
L.

Spaces in affection.
L.

A circulation of comfortings for you.
L.

I cling to you with an administration from the heart.
L.

Compound sympathy to you.
L.

I kiss you backwards and forwards.
L.

Fresh and miely touch from your harvester.
L.

Your gossipuss.
L.

Touchings of calmness.
L.

With my weak organs I am very fond of you.
L.

Current of fondness.
L.

1925

I bow into your knees and kiss your feet.
L.

I am so fond of you that I am sad.
L.

Subtle touches where the soft hair grows.
L.

I kiss your warm nest of a mouth.
L.

Your fond and low graded bicyclist.
L.

Your pale chaffinch.
L.

Your kissing unit.
L.

Your lively vitamin.
L.

I kiss your face and other Holy places.
L.

Was I right? Or was I right?