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1977

Hall to McNair: April 16, 1977

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 16 April 77

Dear Wes–

Thanks for your letter. It makes
me feel very good. I was a little
worried about the slurred words I
had to repeat! I guess I shouldn’t
worry. I read the new one again this
morning at Mt. Holyoke, with a few
changes since last Monday. I’m
feeling good about it.
Now I’ve got eight readings coming
up. South Carolina, Maryland, Alabama,
Oklahoma. I look forward to seeing
you & Diane when things settle down a little.

I’m hoping you don’t go to Chile so we
can keep you around. But if you go, you’ll
come back – & maybe it will be good for
your poems to have such a change of
scene. I learned so much about the
U.S. by going away from it for a while.

As so as soon as I’m ready to
show that poem to anybody, I’ll show
it to you.

Best,

Don

McNair to Hall: April 13, 1977

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 Postmarked 13 April 1977

Donald —

Lord, that reading was wonderful! I woke up at
5:30 this morning (an unusual hour for me)
still high on it. I’d like to see that new long poem sometime.
Certain resonant images from it keep coming back
Into my mind — from part four (which I’ve already
mentioned), or from the section about the store
(with its Exxon sign and white clapboards- –
excellent, that tension!). As I told you, I often
have trouble hearing/seeing poems at readings,
and with that poem I need more time…

But thanks for coming to Colby to read your poems.
It was a special night — with the ultimate in
visual aids: Mt. Kearsage itself, just down the
road.

I’m awfully glad you are coming to Colby next year.
I hope you both feel as good to be in the
neighborhood as we all feel having you here.

Wes

A note from McNair about this letter: Though I do not mention it in my letter, what woke me at 5:30 a.m., and sent me walking the country roads around my farmhouse in the early light, was the memory of Don dedicating “Names of Horses” to me at his reading…. The “new long poem” I refer to later on is “Stone Walls.”

Read Names of Horses (published version)

Read Stone Walls (published version)

Hall to McNair: March 30, 1977

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 30th March 77

Dear Wes – Good map. We’re looking forward to
Saturday. // You know, I’m happy to do a visit
with creative writers, if we can find a time.
I want to do my bit! See if you can’t find a
time. (It doesn’t have to have to be printed on the
program; we can just do it.) Be delighted to
talk anecdotes or anything and Am. Writer class. Party
after reading is fine. I taught yesterday for
the first time in 2 years. Very strange! (Dartmouth
started.)

Best,

Don

McNair to Hall: March 28, 1977

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 March 28, 1977

Don –

I called the printer immediately after you
called me and got the program revised.
The second-to-last sentence has been changed,
and one of the class visits has been
cancelled – ie, the visit to Creative Writing
on Tuesday. (Carl hoped you could share
some of your anecdotes of 19th century
American literary figures with the
Major American Writers class … but if
you have other plans, I’m sure he
wouldn’t mind.) After the reading,
you may be asked to the home of
someone in the English Dep’t for drinks
and conversation. I hope that’s OK.

2/

Many thanks for calling right back –
If there are still more questions, please
let me know. And if you have further
thoughts about program revisions,
you have until Wednesday to notify
me. Feel free.

Map for April 2 is enclosed.
Good luck! We are anxious to
see you both –

Wes

Editorial note about this letter: Don was then working on his forthcoming volume, The Oxford Book of Literary Anecdotes….

McNair to Hall: March 24, 1977

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 March 24, 1977

Dear Don,

April 2 is now firm. Please
come –- you and Jane –- at 7:00.

I’m sending you — somewhat mangled —
copy for the brochure which our PI
office is having printed re: your visit at
CSC. Please note time of reading
and times of classroom appearances.
One of us in the English Dep’t will
no doubt be available to steer you
toward the right places.

Am looking forward to both
events. If you have questions –- well,
the 2nd comes before the 11th. Or
call me –-

Wes

 

McNair to Hall: March 16, 1977

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 Dear Jane & Don –

Many apologies for shifting
the date, but it turns out
that this weekend is
impossible for a dinner.

I am working hard for
April 2 at this point, so
if that’s out, please let me
know soon.

Thanks, Don, for the picture
& materials. Oh, Jane:
Guess what ? Tom Wayman’s
“Kitchen Poem” has turned up
in the Fall ’76 Paris Review –
Did you see it? I thought your
last issue of Green House was
strong. Thanks for sending it.

Wes

Editorial note about this letter: Green House was the literary magazine of poetry Jane co-edited during the 1970s.

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