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January 24, 1983
Dear Don,
Thanks for your comments on the poem. I will put it far back
in the drawer with “The Wish” (the one about Bernice
Manchester). Both need much work, I see, but I don’t see
yet how to redo them. On to other poems!
I have not heard from Costanzo, though I did send
him the manuscript and a letter (I had sent him still
another copy of the manuscript and letters three months
earlier.) Since the judging must have been done some
time ago, I take it that Costanzo has singly forgotten
to contact me and say, “Sorry, pal,” or words to that
effect. Writing this, I’ve decided to write The Press
and see what happened to the manuscript.
I’ll let you know what I learn. I hope your “raids”
(Mark Twain’s word for his own readings and lectures)
are bringing you booty and satisfaction. Please congratulate
Jane on her New Yorker poem (read about it in the
Argus). She must feel great about that!
Love,
Wes |
A note from McNair about this letter: Several months after I put “What the Slaughtered Animals Could Not Find,” far back in the drawer, I took it out again with Don’s comments in mind and wrote this version, which appeared in my second collection, The Town of No.
Read Killing the Animals (published version)