[TLS to Christopher Berg]

NY: Tim Dlugos, 1979. Two sheets, typewritten to rectos only; in original mailing envelope. Sheets with horizontal mailing creases, else near fine; envelope with light crumpling and rubbing.

A warm and substantive letter from poet Tim Dlugos (1950-1990) to composer Christopher Berg (1949-2026), evidencing the depth of friendship between these two New York-based gay artists. Discussed are Berg's setting to music of Dlugos's poem "Last Letter" (Dlugos references an enclosed letter of permission, not present); upcoming publications Je Suis Ein Americano and A Fast Life (the latter then in preparation for publication by Michael Lally's O Press, but ultimately issued by Sherwood Press); Dlugos's sexuality ("Queer again after a year and a half long fling with hetero life"), travels past (Key West) and future (the Netherlands Antilles); friendships and acquaintanceships (Kenward Elmslie, Ned Rorem, Virgil Thompson); an interruptive phone call from Michael Lally, including Lally's estimation of Berg as a writer ("he thinks you're far better than Kathy Acker"); a post-script discussing song lyrics Dlugos was working on in collaboration with songwriter Tom Moshier ("We're working on a mellow-sound oratorio (70s version of a rock opera) based on politics of the Sixties"); etc. Dlugos's salutation to "Clay/Chris" references Berg's Clay Fear persona, under which he issued several chapbooks of writings, as well as a record with Phil Harmonic and Blue Gene Tyranny.