Add MS 88998/5/5

(1). Translations (13 sheets) of several poems from Michel Couturier, De Distance en chateau (1964). The translations (autograph drafts and typed fair copies) are not dated.

(2). Autograph draft poem, in pencil, entitled 'England (for M[arian]) / (NY 19 Nov. 67)'. The poem is number 187, Add MS 88998/6/3. (1 sheet, lower right portion cut away, no loss of text.)

(3). Autograph draft poems, composed 1967-69:

• Undated brief note, beginning: 'Long poem. divide into two separate parts [...] "I feel funny tonight" = title' (1 strip).
• Fragment ('17.X.67. NYC'), beginning: 'The steamboat approached the key [sic]' (1 small sheet). The fragment is the opening verse paragraph of 'The Backwoods' (poem 190, Add MS 88998/6/3).
• '1930s Photos', opening lines and brief notes only (1 sheet) dated 25 October 1967 (poem 185 and 185A, Add MS 88998/6/3).
• Notes (1 sheet) headed: 'Saturday. Oct. 1967. Recording for WFMU. Uppsala College Radio Station. N.J.' On the verso, a draft poem entitled 'U.S.A.' (poem 186, Add MS 88998/6/3).
• Draft poem (1 sheet) beginning 'So late in the night / I find this poem of a year ago', dated 1 November 1967. The draft is annotated ('No. 135') specifying the poem that Harwood has in mind (i.e. 'The Ferry Leaves', from The White Room). The text of poem 135 in The White Room is without dedication, but in Add MS 88998/6/3 the text is dedicated, in pencil, '(for Jenny)', i.e. Harwood's first wife.
• 'The Seasons' (1 sheet, dated 26 December 1967), a draft of poem 188, Add MS 88998/6/3;
• Draft poem (2 sheets) beginning: 'The children playing on the front step', dated 2 January 1968 (see poem 192, 'This Year', Add MS 88998/6/3).
• Draft fragments (4 sheets), dated 19 and 29 January 1968, for 'You Become a Star' (poem 198, Add MS 88998/6/3).
• Draft poem, 'Reading Blake', dated 24 January 1968 (poem 197, Add MS 88998/6/3).
• 'Red Cream' (1 sheet), dated 7 and 10 February 1968 (re-titled 'Cream', poem 201, Add MS 88998/6/3).
• Fragment (1 sheet), beginning: 'The children suffer', dated 17 February 1968.
• Fragments (1 sheet) dated 6 and 9 March 1968 including provisional title 'The horse races'.
• Undated brief fragment (1 sheet), comprising: 'In whispers / the mist parted'.
• 'Pullman', dated 25 June 1969, pencil draft (2 sheets) - poem 218, Add MS 88998/6/4.
• Pencil fragment (1 sheet) dated 21 July 1969, beginning 'Sea mist'.
• 'The Night Ferry', dated 16 November 1969, pencil draft (1 sheet) - poem 220, Add MS 88998/6/4.
• Untitled draft (3 sheets) of 'North', dated 25 November 1969 (poem 221, Add MS 88998/6/4).
• Five-line fragment (1 sheet), dated 1 December 1969 (beginning: 'Forget yr castle') that appears to relate to 'North'. On the verso, in pencil, draft 'Acknowledgements' for The Sinking Colony (1970).
• 'North' (typed draft, 1 sheet). The draft has been revised by hand, and includes a rejected title struck-through ('The Nordic Neurosis Period'). Dated 25 November -29 December 1969 'Durham-Brighton'.

(4). Pocket tablet notebook ('Dataday') without top cover. Perforated pages (5 sheets with card base). Entries begin '10/III/69' with poetry fragment: 'The grey morning clears'. Final dated entry, '2/4/69'. Various notes to self.

(5). Pocket tablet notebook ('Dataday') without top cover. Perforated pages (25 sheets with card base). Some entries dated, '25/IV/69' to '2/8/69'. Various notes to self, including some poetry fragments.

(6). Four items:

• Brown paper bag ('Brooke Bond') used as notepaper, bearing date July 1968. Includes lines of poetry, beginning 'Allah'.
• Better Books headed notepaper (1 sheet). Various notes made in October, one of which is dated in full (1968).
• Cartoon figure (original art work, silk screen red) with speech bubble: 'I'm glad you're happy among the trees!'.
• Printed image of Bird of Paradise, signed 'Amanda' [Wade] on the verso [1968].