ARCHIVE: Manuscripts by Women of the National Poetry Project.
Women of the National Poetry Project: Manuscript Archive
Approximately one linear foot; 2014.
Responses to editor Daniel Halpern’s call for poetry manuscripts from over 100 poets. Submissions are comprised of examples (at least one, often multiple) of the various holograph manuscripts and annotated typescript drafts produced in the process of crafting a single poem, revealing each work’s organic evolution. They are often accompanied by a short note from the poet to Halpern and a photocopy of the final poem as published. Almost all submissions are in their slender original mailing envelopes addressed to DH.
Highlights:
Julia Alvarez
Eleven drafts of “To David Ferry, with gratitude,” including a two-page holograph manuscript and ten annotated typescript printouts; together with a typed letter signed to Halpern.
Margaret Atwood
Two drafts and related material of “Good Scribe Stephen King,” including a printout of the tweets through which the poem first appeared, a typescript printout, the two-page illustrated manuscript (see images above), and three post-its bearing her original holograph notes; together with an accompanying autograph note to Halpern.
Mary Jo Bang
Ten drafts of “An Autopsy of an Era,” including eight different typescript printouts (a few lightly annotated) and two holograph drafts, one with a drawing by Bang; together with an autograph letter to Halpern and a signed copy of the catalogue in which the poem was published.
Louise Glück
Two poems, including one draft of “Aboriginal Landscape,” which includes one heavily annotated typescript page, and two drafts of “The Story of a Day,” which includes two heavily annotated typescript pages with holograph notes to the versos; together with an accompanying autograph letter to Halpern.
Erica Jong
One holograph draft of “Love Comes First”; together with a photocopy of the poem as published.
Additional contributors
Alice Fulton “Close.” Complete manuscript. 38 pp.
Alicia Ostriker “The Glorie of Cities.” Complete manuscript. 7 pp.
Ann Lauterbach “Zero & A.” Complete Manuscript. 39pp.
Anne Carson Manuscript excerpt. 1p.
Anne Waldman “Cosmological Colors.” Manuscript excerpt. 8 pp.
Brenda Hillman “A Quiet Afternoon in the Office.” Complete manuscript. 13 pp.
Brenda Shaughnessy “Artless.” Complete manuscript. 6 pp.
Carolyn Forche “Letter to a City Under Siege.” Manuscript excerpt. 6pp.
Cathy Park Hong “The Poem of Xiao.” Complete manuscript. 4pp.
C. K. Williams “Tears.” Manuscript complete. 36 pp.
C.D. Wright “Obscurity and Legacy.” Complete manuscript. 21 pp. 1 photograph.
Charlotte Boulay “Versus.” Manuscript excerpt. 4pp.
Chase Twichell “Radio Silence.” Manuscript excerpt. 5 pp.
Dara Wier “Capitalism” Complete manuscript. 4 pp.
Eileen Myles “The Weather.” Complete manuscript. 5pp.
Eliza Griswold “Pulling Out.” Manuscript excerpt. 6pp.
Erica Jong: see above
Gerald Stern “Font Pitt Hotel.” Complete manuscript. 5 pp.
Heather McHugh “Other Shoe.” Complete manuscript. 12pp.
Jane Hirshfield “A Person Protests to Fate.” Complete Manuscript. 8 pp.
Jane Miller “A Young Poet.” Complete manuscript. 13pp.
Jean Valentine “When I woke up.” Complete manuscript. 4pp.
Jorie Graham “Fast.” Manuscript excerpt. 18 pp.
Joy Harjo “Everybody Has a Heartache: A Blues.” Complete manuscript. 6pp.
Julia Alvarez: see above
Katha Pollitt “Rapture.” Complete manuscript. 3 pp.
Kay Ryan “Magnified” Complete manuscript. 7pp.
Kimiko Hahn “Forecast.” Complete manuscript. 4pp.
Laura Kasischke “In the Meantime.” Complete manuscript. 8 pp.
Linda Gregerson “Theseus Forgetting.” Complete manuscript. 14 pp.
Linda Pastan “Learning to Abandon the World.” Complete manuscript. 16 pp.
Louise Gluck: see above
Lucia Perillo “The War.” Manuscript Complete. 5 pp.
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