New Yorker Barton Benes saved thousands of letters that his Aunt Evelyn, a Florida widow, sent him daily in the ’70s. Now, 20 years and an epidemic later, he makes art by combining her text with his own images. This month our heroine comments on taking care of herself and other sorrows.

SNACKS

I DECIDED
THAT I HAD BETTER
HAVE SOMETHING TO EAT
AND GOT UP AND WENT FOR
SOME COTTAGE CHEESE,
BUT FORGOT AND WENT TO
THE BATHROOM INSTEAD,
AND CAME BACK HERE
AND REMEMBERED THAT
COTTAGE CHEESE, SO GOT
UP AND WENT TO THE
KITCHEN AND
PUT ON WATER FOR A CUP OF
COFFEE, HAD THE COFFEE,
WHEN I FINALLY
REMEMBERED
THE
CHEESE.