Washington, DC, 1998.
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Odin House
Madison, Minnesota
56256
UNITED STATES
EDITOR: ROBERT BLY
12 September 1967
Mr. Roger L. Stevens,
Chairman
National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities
1800 G Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20506
Dear Mr. Stevens:
Thank you for your letter offering The Sixties Press a $5000 grant from the National Foundation on the Arts and Humanities. But I oppose the Vietnam War, and I cannot accept the grant.
In my mind there is a link between poetry and compassion. Since the Administration is maiming an entire nation merely to advance our national interest, I think it is insensitive, even indecent, for that Administration to come forward with money for poetry.
Since it is clear that a given sum of government money could go either for a poetry magazine or a napalm canister—and only chance bookkeeping decides between them—there could be no pride in such an award or in such editing. I refuse to participate and I don't want the money.
Yours very sincerely,