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A substantial and rare record, spanning what is evidently Samperi's first contribution to the correspondence to a letter a little over a year before his death. Seventeen of the letters are from 1977 and 1978, two from 1980, and three from 1990, and all but three (not retaining their envelopes) are written on airmail stationery, generally filling all available space. Subjects include Samperi's work, publications and reception; Miller's work and Samperi's encouragement of it; Cid Corman, 'Origin', and others associated with it at that time; Clayton Eshleman; and Robert Lax, with one letter containing seven typed poems for Lax. As the correspondence progresses, Samperi's enthusiasm towards discussing his views, or perhaps his feeling free to do so, increases noticeably. He describes 'our beloved art the Art of Poetry' as being in conflict with those 'falsely claiming Poetry's end's to change World'. Aware of the lack of acknowledgement of his work by 'the world of letters', he admits 'I haven't really done enough to get myself published', but anyway, 'I seek not the world'. Not relinquishing many personal details, Samperi's letters are however revealing of his beliefs, they convey tremendously the style of his prose writing as a poet, and they depict his commitment to bringing 'the right word to bear'. Although 'Modern Poetry has generally failed us precisely because of its lack of orientation toward Intelligence', to Miller he can say, 'I feel our meeting thru word has been a kindness of favorable Time'. One letter in two pieces (torn along a fold, presumably when opened) without loss, another with a short annotation by Miller, otherwise with wear typical of the format. Seller Inventory # 007819
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