July 12

Dear Resra : ( short for "res erection" - with best wishes )

I sent your last letter to Zukorsky asking him to see them guys as you requested. I myself cannot do the business stunt, never could. I am a hard working suburban doctor with no talent for yankee deals. More than likely I'd ruin any chances for continued success which you may have if I so much as opened my mouth in the presence of business.

Zukorsky, being a Jew, is even worse at it - if I guess rightly.

But if Louis (Z.) has any success after the first visit I stand ready to back him (and you) # by subsequent talks with the business partners. Meanwhile I'll correct the proofs if you'll have them sent to me. I'll look out for the word you mention.

It's been hot as hell here for a week. My family arrives in three days - after a year's absence, nearly. You may imagine that'll I'll be worth little to the world in general for a month or six weeks now.

Louis seems to have an idea that once you tire of this magazine that he and I could continue it. Jesus! Well, it may be so nevertheless. All it means just now is that should you contemplate dropping the magazine at any time - leave us know, so we may study the situation preparatory to making you an offer.

Literary news I never have to dispense. Somebody told me one Matthew Josephson had written a line of Zola. They say Hart Crane is - this or that - a crude homo. It puzzles me a little. Marianne detests his work, calls it fake-knowledge. Others think he is God Almighty - which naturally affords anyone, like myself, who pretends to the same distinction. Best poet in U.S. say the Kenneth Burkes, Gorham Munsons, etc. I dunno. Ivor Winters is plum gaga over him (Crane) e.e. Cummings seems to be drunk most of the time. I had him out here after witnessing his play (at the Provincetown theater) "him" and round him to be a very fine machine busting himself up over nothing as usual. He is one of the few here of "gentlemanly" charm. I spoke to him of you and some reaction toward him you had expressed, that you thought he probably though of you as sunk in age# and cliche. But he said it was unworthy of you, that he only had the most distinguished regard for you but that (being a sensitive person) you had always picked a right with him when he had seen you.

God knows what will become of him. He is said to have his door open on Patchin Pl. #4 for any woman who wants to be rucked - and he does it all the time. Gossip perhaps. He is to me a feeling of - no use to me. One of the best. He doesn't need me. Going to hell. Wish to god I could see more of him. For what? Just the manners of a graceful (drunken) mind - lost in rucking perhaps, I dunno. Marianne says he is more interested in meeting the Vanderbilt than in writing.

WILLIAM CARLOS WILLIAMS, M. D.

9 RIDGE ROAD
RUTHERFORD, N. J.

Nov. 6, 1928

Dear Ezrie :

Nothing will ever be said or better understanding regarding my work than your article in The Dial. I must thank you for your great interest and discriminating defense of my position. Without question you have hit most of the trends that I am following with the effect that you have clarified my designs on the future which in turn will act as encouragement and strength for me.

Naturally I consider myself a fool for not getting out of Medicine. I do not consider myself a fool for having been a physician for the past twenty years. That was accurately figured out in its relations to my disposition and mental capabilities. It has all turned out precisely as I foresaw, save only that at my present age I planned to withdraw from active competition with the world and close up the gaps in my expositions, continuing at this till I was shovelled under or went daily or satisfactorily convinced myself that I had failed.

I am now engaged in cutting out much of my medical work under the guise of becoming a "specialist". Within a few months I will have done with evening office hours#, that hellish drag. But it is not going fast enough. I can't quit cold for I would only torment myself into the grave if I did so. I ain't built that way, I mean to withstand financial worries or to discover ways of living aside from the work of my hands. I simply can't.

But things are moving nevertheless according to the plans. Perhaps I expect too much.

But I am touched by the sobriety of your review, that is to say what I set out to say meaning to add that I am going on as best I can and that you have helped me there also. You also have grown older - without loss. In fact I like your writing in what you have said of me as well as anything I have seen of yours in prose.

I have the new Cantos but there has been no time in which to read - as yet.