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![For Prof. Douglas Watson: answers to questions in letter of Janu-
ary 1982
1. Yes, you may quote from Snowflakes and Steel in your essay for DLB.
2. Relative ages of my sisters and brother: Julia, 69; Raymond, 64;
Gladys, 62; Christine 57. (Deceased: Janet, who would have been
about 67 now; Alvin, who would have been 54.)
3. Christian Science and I: I have been influenced by it through the
strong character of my mother, especially in its mind—over—matter
principles. But I have been affiliated with no church aver since,
in 1942 or 1943, a "white" church in Washington, D.C., refused me
entrance as an air-raid shelter during a practice defense drill.
4. My most important teachers at Howard, Northwestern, and Columbia: at
Howard, I was much impressed by Margaret Just Butcher (beauty and
brains), John Lovell (incisive intellect), Frank Snowden (bril—
Brown (not my teacher, but was generous and entertaining to some
of us students). Alain Locke and John Hope Franklin (to whom I
dedicated a very recent poem) were not my teachers, but each called
me into his office to give me encouragement and offer aid. (OVER)
5. Langston Hughes: I did not know him before 1959, when I was at Columbia.
6. Broadside and Lotus Presses: I chose them because of their support of
Black writers. I had much correspondence with Dudley before I met
him in about 1970, and I have not yet met Namoi Long Madgett. (If
I remember correctly, I suggested the Broadside Press Critics Series
to Dudley when I was in Grenoble). Probably LP will publish my
anticipated 1982 volume.
7. The stolen literary papers: You may mention them in your essay for
DLB. DuBroff, it she depends upon her own interests, will probably
never know of the existence of Chisel or, perhaps, of DLB.
8. Yes, I plan to be at CCNY during 1982—84.
Isolated fact of possible interest: first literary recognition of my po-
etry: Flame Magazine, after a poll of poetry editors, sent me a "Cita-
tion for Merit" for my first serious poem, "Sonnet for a Writer," which
appeared in Phylon in 1958. It had been written at Northwestern, 1953.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Paris, 10 January 1982
Deer Professor Watson,
Thanks for taking the trouble to write a long letter. It is encour—
aging to find an able critic interested in one's work. I'11 never write
another Snowflakes and Steel, and I am glad that you thought it worth my
effort. Too bad you couldn't see Anthony Suter's essay "Flowers That
Don't Live Long: The Poet's Journey Through Love ..." for it had good
insights (Phylon is now reading it--or someone at Phylon).
I look forward to seeing your essay. If you pursue your interest in
my poetry, which would be a compliment, I'll offer you whatever information (and unpublished work) that you might find helpful. In the meantime. please excuse this unusual letter—form--during my grappling with A Poet's Mind. And let me return your kind wishes for a 1982 that goes well, and with good work and good luck.
Sincerely,
[signature - Jim]
[everyone calls me]
James A. Emanuel](https://cuny.manifoldapp.org/system/resource/3/b/a/3ba6e016-fd39-4c92-a3a7-04a92ea361f4/attachment/c5962c06d00e6b1c8633e8dd30cf7237.jpg)
![JAE FRENCH
AUTO ITINERARIES
par avion air male
[probably 1972-75 trips]
G L
G. LALO](https://cuny.manifoldapp.org/system/resource/e/2/f/e2fb8258-1d02-431c-a271-626001947b8a/attachment/9fa467800d631319f1636267943079d9.jpg)