Blog | Two Letters from Helen Adam to Jesse Glass |
24th Dec. [1982]
Dear Jesse,
I was so delighted to get your beautiful & exciting “Alchemical Lion” & the charming “Five.” Yes, indeed I love the title poem, all of it, but especially the last three lines which are pure magic. It is a wonderful celebration of the great lions & the sun. I also like, especially “Sirens,” & “The Shower.” But there are haunting lines & images in all the poems, like “at the bricked-in northern door/
where souls escape/
witches & devils may enter/
‘maykin thir soote musiks.’”
That could [be] the stepping off place for a whole mysterious short story.
Thank you for your kind words about my verse. I enclose one I have just written about the horrid state of the world at present.
Every good wish for your happiness in the New Year. & congratulatiosn on a most original book.
Helen Adam
P.S.
Sorry my typewriter is on its last legs, hope you can make out the poem.
223 E. 82nd St.
New York City
N.Y. 10028
29th Feb. [1983]
Dear Jesse Glass,
I am delighted that you can use my poem “Grain of Hope Rime.”
I too hope that it’s [sic] doomsday warnings will not come true, and that the little son you expect in May will be born into a world for which there is some chance of lasting peace.
“San Francisco’s Burning” my ballad opera, will be published sometime this year by “Hanging Loose Press” 231 Wyckoff St Brooklyn, N.Y. 11217. I don’t know the exact date. There has been [a] delay over getting the music written properly.
I enjoyed your elvishly weird play in “Grimoire VI.” Very haunting & magical.
Every good wish,
Helen Adam
[The “little son,” who was eventually born in June of that year, is now a full-grown young man named Derek Adam Glass. His middle name, of course, was chosen in honor of Helen Adam.]
