Dear Alex,

Thank you very much for your letter. It makes me pensive but not at all sad that Margaret never spoke to me of Emily Dickinson. Inveterate teacher that she was, perhaps she thought you would benefit from being made aware of the edifying facets of Emily's loneliness and inwardness; regarding which Margaret might have concluded that I was afflicted with more than was good for me or for her.

Last night, after I returned with Klemens from a one-day trip to Nantucket I found your letter, looked up and read some of Emily's poems. Do you have in mind any specific text that particularly impresses or fascinates you?

Much has been going on in my life about which I can't report without lapsing into my usual undisciplined monologue; so I'll limit myself to stating that as of 10:10 a.m. on December 11, 2017 (Klemens' 61. birthday) I am still here.

My love to you and my regards to your family. Jochen