Correspondence, P.K. Page

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MSS 6-1_1_A_115-p37
From: P.K. Page,309 Daly Ave., Apt. 7, Ottawa.Poem.Forgive us, who have not been whole or rick as fruit; who, through the eyes' lock enter a point beyond the centre to find our balance shot.Who have, if we confessed, observed, but never guessed what lies behind the fact: the quiet, incipient act that alters all the rest.Those of us who took the style to be the book, the incident as all and unequivocal, must take another look.Our blueprint was at fault. The edifice we built disintegrates and falls: haunting its ruined halls the spectre of our guilt.That kindergarten ghostis suddenly our hostand, once we're wined and dined,wants to be paid in kindand fast becomes our guest.
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From: P.K. Page,309 Daly Ave., Apt. 7, Ottawa.Sailor.The kiss of death by water or desire swam in his imagination, helonged for the curious and cold encounter with fear.Saw undersea as the south devoid of heat� exotic, without scent, a clean country� demanding, calling him wherever he went.Wanted to lose himself in its brine, instead sailed to the easy ports like oil and lay only on surfaces of the shallow bays.Finally slipped from the slanting deck and spun,hung in the air a moment like a gull,swallowed the mounting wave as it swallowed him.And from what might have been shipwreck he was saved. Without an element of danger came silver in to the quiet shorecertainly not a merman, not a ship: man, at home, on the perilous sand and beaded, dripping, from a sea death.Up early on the shore line sang, sangas if to Christ of the waters and his songwas saline and the wave breaking his voice.Later, like a farmer, he returnedto till his tufted field�each wave a hill.For now his magic lay in simile.And all his mates were sea-green novicesand their deep unquenchable eyes, still drinking waves,wilted like foam or daisies from their thirst.
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New York 23, N.Y. October 4, 1947Dear Patricia PageMany thanks for sending along the MSS. I look forward to reading them and shall choose shortly.But meanwhile would you let me see the work in progress when It's finished? The editor of Voices tells me that all the material from New Zealand and Australia hasn't come in� and so It may be the Spring Issue which is the international one. I trust you won't mind my keeping the poems until then for appearance once the choice is made?Best regards,Sincerely,Ralph Gustafson
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2 West 67th Street New York, N.Y.December 15, 1947Dear Patricia Page,Sorry to have been bo long in choosing from the MSS you sent me� but now the editor of Voices tells me that the material from Australia & New Zealand is in and, apparently, Jan 1st will be the deadline for a Spring international issue.I kept in mind that you might be sending others you've been working on-- but as it's getting late I've kept: SAILORPOEM ("Forgive us, who have not") PIECE FOR A FORMAL GARDEN VIRGIN Is that all right?Dorothy Livesay and Kay Smith sent in three poems each. The Cdn section, I think, will be first-rate.I haven't forgotten your story, THE GLASS BOX. It's in with 15 or 16 other short stories for CANADIAN ACCENT 2. The collection is really impressive and should make a fine stir abroad. If Penguins will only get a move on, the book should be out next autumn� but publishers are unconscionably unpredictable.Did you see J. Sutherland's latest in N.R.? I sent up a letter to the Editors. Hope they print it.Merry Christmas!Returned:Morning, Noon and Night #PuppetsPresentationMineralOld ManOfficesPoem ("Who within the white") Man with One Small Hand #(# could use, if need be)
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2 Woat 6?th Street Hew York 23, I�X#March 16, 1957Dear Patricia Page,I'm completing a new anthology of Canadian poetry to "be published later this year by Penguin Books Ltd., and would like to Include of yours: THE BARDS AND THE BEAUTIFUL CHILDREN, ELEMENT, SUMMER, VIRGlN, and THE STENOGRAPHERS. I have to clear any copyrights, as Penguins are distributed so widely, If either' of the books that have these poems are out of print, the copyright has probably reverted to you. Or should I write Ryerson and McClelland & Stewart? Would you advise?If the above Is agreeable, would you let me have a line or two of new news, publications, for my Biographical Notes?With best remembrances,Sincerely,c/o The Dept of External Affairs Ottawa
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C/o Canadian Embassy,Avenida Presidente Wilson 165Rio de Janeiro,Brazil.May 18th/57Dear Ralph Gustafson,Thank you for your letter of March. I'm sorry to have been so very slow in replying but a thousand activities - ana inactivities seem to absorb me here.I'm interested to hear that Penguins are publishing a new Canadian anthology. I believe they're doing an Australian one too - or have they done it.The Bands and the Beautiful Children, The Stenographers have reverted to me. I would ask a rate of $15.00 for the first and $25.00 for the second. Oh, Element is mine too�$15.00 likewise. The two others: Summer and Virgin you will have to write toMcClelland and Stweart about, as they are in The Metal and the Flower.I have no very new news, except that we are in Brazil. I've had no book since the above mentioned. Did have a couple of poems in Poetry Chicago in November.Best regards.Very sincerely,Patricia K. Irwin.
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Dear Ralph Gustafson,1 think I must find out from you a few more details. Yesterday I had a letter from i, McC & S who said you were asking for World rights. I only pave then Canadian rights so they had to write to me about the matter.I would like to know just what Penguins mean by World rights? Can you explain it to me? I could only consider such a sale on the basis of non-exclusive rights in the English language. I don't want to get into the position of never being able to use any of those poems again. And for what length of time--for the length of a first printing of the Anthology for instance?Let me Know exactly what the terms are, will you and I shall be in a better position to answer you. I must know what I am selling .Very sincerely,Patricia K. Irwin.
MSS 6-1_1_A_115-p44
2 West 67th Street New York 23, N.Y.June 15| 1957Dear Patricia Irwin,You are not selling anything with regard to the five poems of yours that I would like use but the rights to reprint them in my Penguin Book of Canadian Poetry for the natural run of that title, namely the first printing and any reprints and revised editions that the title might have in accordance with the demand for it. The copyright remains with you and you, of course, are at liberty to sell these same poems concurrently or subsequently elsewhere wherever you wish. Since Penguins are exported tomost countries, I must bye certain of world clearance-- so that no single poem or group of poems, for instance, could hold up clearance on the work of everyone else.McClelland & Stewart are asking &15 each for "Summer" and "Viring"; this, with the fees of your letter of May 18th for the other three, would make $85. I amsorry I cannot pay this. There will be 66 poets, most under copyright, and I am paying copyright fees out of my advance royalties. I can manage to pay $50 for the group, I could meet this by dropping two of the titles but 1 would like to represent you with five poems if I could. Would you let me know as soon as possible if you can meet me in this?Very sincerely,
MSS 6-1_1_A_115-p45
Caixa Postal 2164Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.June 22, 1957.Dear Ralph Gustafson,Thanks for you letter and for the clarification of what rights you are asking for.On the non-exclusive basis you indicate, I am prepared to let you have world rights for the Penguin Book of Canadian poetry for the five poems you mention.I'd like to meet you on terms, but checking recent sales to other Publishers I'm afraid I could not accept your offer and keep faith with them. During the last two months I've sold anthology rights to three other Publishers and the minimum rates paid in all cases has been $15.00 per poem.In view of what you say, however, I'm prepared to let you have The Stenographers at the same rate as the others�namely, $15.00� and I hope you will find this acceptable.With all good wishes.Very sincerely,(Patricia E. Irwin)
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2 West 67th StreetNew York 23, N.Y.July 9, 1957Dear Patricia Irwin,Many thanks for your permissions for the poems I've had to take out "Virgin" but am vary glad to be able to have the others.I had an evening with. Frank Scott and the weekend with Arthur Smith- and both send greetings.With all good wishes,Very sincerely,
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Apt 2D515 West 168th Street New York 32, N.Y.February 20, 1959Dear Patricia Irwin,I enclose my check for $45 in payment of the reprinting of your poems in THE PENGUIN BOOK OP CANADIAN VERSE according to our agreement� and with thanks for your cooperation.I trust that this will reach you safely. All best wishes,Sincerely yours,Ralph Gustafson

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