Welcome to the 2023 Birthday Store
If you’re here, it must be your birthday (or at least your birthday week) – so…
Happy Birthday!
This marks my fourth year of doing what I can to make your special day unique so that — at least when it comes to my part in your celebration of life — you have the option of getting something a little “extra-special” from me if you want it.
I’m excited about what we’ve come up with this year. Please have a look around and take advantage of what’s only available right now at the start of a whole new year of life.
For Your Listening Pleasure
Each of the following EPs is available for digital download.
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Each of these three EPs contains recordings (by yours truly, of course) not found anywhere else.
They are made up of poetry, stories and mini-essays where you’ll find reflections on life, family, trauma, suffering, joy and the Divine.
Each EP runs roughly 45 to 90 minutes.
Can’t choose? Save ten bucks and get the bundle for $26.
Apparel
This year’s birthday t-shirt is designed by artist and illustrator Bianca Malbas, based upon the poem Luke Wilson Loves You Already, which is a reminder to rest in your Belovedness as you enter into the new year. There are two versions available.
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The Family Stone is my favorite Christmas movie. I watched it twice this year and the second time through I realized that for most of my life my name has actually been Sarah Jessica Parker.
I watch myself all uptight and drunk and high-heeled at the bar and telling Luke Wilson that, “I’m trying so hard! I’m trying so hard! I’m constantly trying so hard!” and Luke Wilson is gentle and holding my hand and already in love with me and saying, “Maybe you should stop trying” and then my eyes are open and I realize that Luke Wilson is actually God with a couple of beers on the table and a little bit of pot in his pocket, inviting me to let my freak flag fly.
Interlace your fingers and put your hands behind your head. Lean back.
You don't need to be anyone else.
It’s amazing how the whole body retaliates against the risk of being seen. It tenses, "It is not safe out there!” where we have learned things like: “I can’t be loved like this.”
Which just means, “I can’t be loved like me.”
But I don’t believe that, anymore.
You’re loved already.
The work of repentance is just the work of remembering.
And I know that not-gods masquerade as Love and love to demand proofs and legislate but I hope that — one day — you get brave enough to befriend them and learn that it's okay to thank old survival modes for keeping you afloat, but that you know that you can't stay, and it's okay.
And then I hope you start dancing with the Lord again.
Remember that you’re loved, first. Let that be the foundation for every bit of wailing and gnashing of teeth you’ll have to do to get through to the other side, and then to the other side, and then...
"The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I change."
But that’s getting ahead of ourselves.
No one is asking you to do anything but be loved. To be still and know. To rest there — even though your arms are weirdly mechanical and happiness looks awkward on you after all of these years. To lie down to sleep where the yoke is easy and the burden is light. The rest will follow.
Luke Wilson loves you, already. Let your freak flags fly.
Luke Wilson Loves You Already T-Shirt — 35.00
Luke Wilson Wants You To Stop Trying T-Shirt — 35.00
Prints & Posters
Designed by three incredible artists, these decorations are based upon some of my favorite poems and available in four sizes ranging from a 8”x10” print to a 16”x24” poster.
The Garden
Designed by Bianca Malbas and based upon The Garden.
Lost In It
Designed by Eva Winters and based upon Traditional Values Worldview.
Old Wisdom
Designed by Ashton Owens and based upon When Hearts Are Large.
Handwritten & Signed
Handwritten & Signed
Custom, handwritten poetry by me, for you.
Using the finest-quality stationary, I’ll hand-write your favorite lyrics, poetry or prose and send them to you for framing and display.
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If you’ve ever wanted to commission a piece of your favorite Levi The Poet writing that’s a bit more unique than my prints — for yourself or someone else — now’s your chance!
It’s easy as pie:
Decide what you’d like me to write. You can choose from a variety of options:
Lyrics from any of my albums
Prose or poetry from any of my Instagram posts
Reflections from any of my blogs
Or, if you’ve got another idea, let me know about it! (I’ve written up plenty of poems not-my-own for folks who want to combine my art with their work)
Tell me what it is. When you go to check out, you'll see a section titled “Special Instructions for Seller” where you can add a note to your order. That is where you'll paste exactly what you want written out for your birthday.
Get stoked. I’ll get to work on your custom piece right away, and you can sit back and wait for it to arrive at your door.
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I create these customs with a quality I’d be proud to display in my own home, using Sakura Sigma Micron Pens to write with, and Paper Source Flat Cards as stationary.
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Frames are not included in your purchase, but if you are hoping to buy your own for a more manicured display in your home or office, each sheet size is 5 1/2” x 8 1/2”
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I am willing to write out quite a lot, but please be reasonable. My poems are very long, and I limit these offerings to three sheets-worth of text.
Some people take the full limit, and some people want one sentence on a single card.
Most people ask for a section of a poem, or a favorite phrase, or something from a blog/essay, or even a custom phrase of your own that is provided for me, etc.
Depending upon your request, and how doable it is, I may reach out to you in order to negotiate a realistic compromise, but I common sense should suffice, here.
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Yes and no, depending upon how you think of it. As you can see in the example images, there are words crossed out and scribbles abounding.
Most people request that any “mistakes” be left alone and included, as the “imperfections” add to the character and uniqueness of your commission.
While each piece varies, I recommend you expect yours to be perfectly “flawed.”
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If you’ve been receiving my birthday offerings for a while, you’re likely to remember a different iteration of these customs in the form of typewritten poetry.
I’ll likely continue to offer that option elsewhere at a different time, but I’ve enjoyed the process of slowing myself down via long-form handwriting in my own life, and wanted to share that here — with you — as well.
$75.00 $50.00
How’s about a surprise…?
The First Ten Years
I can’t believe I’m even saying this, but let me share something with you that I’m super excited about.
This year, Chicago-based film director Alex Zarek released a huge passion-project — a full-length documentary commemorating the first ten years of my career as Levi The Poet:
In the spring of 2020 — three weeks before COVID-19 shut the world down — Alex flew to my home in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and we spent a week together visiting old ghosts, interviewing friends and family around town, and discussing a decades’ worth of work.
This is that story…
And I’d like to give it to you for free.
Birthday Bundle
Here’s How It Works
If you add at least one of any offering available from each section above to your cart (including a handwritten custom), I’ll give you three exclusive bonuses with your order:
Lifetime access to The First Ten Years — including an additional 2+ hours worth of exclusive, track-by-track interview-style video commentaries about every poem I've ever released — for free.
A one-of-a-kind typewritten poem — Luke Wilson Loves You Already — created by yours truly and shipped alongside your custom, handwritten order.
Free Shipping.
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Shipping
Bundle it all together and save up to $86 (or more) on your order.
Finally…
Don’t forget that you can save $20 on my coffee-table book today by entering the code “STAY” at checkout.
Last but not least…
👆 That’s your discount code for 10% off of anything you want (today or whenever) from my public storefront. Save it. It’s only good to use one time, but I hope it serves you well.
BORNWITHIT
Thank you for being a part of my life and for supporting my livelihood. I’m 100% positive that Frank feels the same.