The Inventory of the Anne Sexton Collection #812
The Inventory
of the
Anne Sexton
Collection
#812
Howard Gotlieb Archival Research Center
Sexton, Anne
#812 February 1983
Box 1 Folder of poems and 2 short stories arranged in order by date,
as they were given to the recipient 1970-1973. Some of the
poems bear a few halo. corr. or a holograph date. * indicates
those poems not included in The Complete Poems, edited by Linda
Gray Sexton and Loring Conant, Jr. Houghton Mifflin Company,
Boston, 1981. These drafts in some cases vary slightly from the published versions.
1. "Once Upon A Time." Upon Looking into Grimm's Fairy Tales.
Typescript, 3 p., Jan. 1970. (#1)
2. "Godfather Death." Typescript, 2 p., Jan. 1970.
3. "The White Snake." Carbon typescript, 3 p. Dated Jan. 28th, 1970,
and "given Feb. 9, 1970." in holograph:
4. "The Little Peasant." Carbon typescript, 3 p. "Written February
3 - 9th".
5. "The Wonderful Musician." Typescript, 3 p., Feb. 25th, 1970.
6. "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs." Typescript, 3 p., March 15th
1970.
* 7. "I Need." Carbon typescript, 1 p., March 24th, 1970.
* 8. "Death, Big Mama." Typescript, 1 p., April 22, 1970.
* 9. "Mama Song." Typescript, 2 p., May 20th, 1970.
10. "Hansel and Gretel. Transformations of the Brothers Grimm."
Typescript, 3 p., no date.
11. "The Maiden Without Hands Transformations of the Brothers Grimm."
Carbon typescript, 3 p. Sexton, Anne page 2
Box 1 12. "Rapunzel." Tranformations. Typescript, 1 p., June 11, 1970. (Ill) 13. "Iron Hans." Transformations of the Brothers Grimm. Typescript,
4 p., June 2nd, 1970.
* 14. "What Has It Come To." Typescript, 1 p., June 19th, 1970.
15. "Rapunzel." Longer draft of //12. Carbon typescript, 3 p., June
20th, 1970.
16. "One-Eye, Two-Eyes, Three-Eyes." Carbon typescript, 4 p., June
27th, 1970.
17. "Briar Rose (Sleeping Beauty)."
a. Typescript, 1 p., July 6th, 1970.
b. Carbon typescript, 4 p., no date.
c. "Sleeping Beauty can't" typescript, 2 p., July 5th - August
16th, 1970.
18. "Rumplestilskin." Carbon typescript, 3 p., August 28-29, 1970.
19. "The Frog Prince." Carbon typescript, 4 p., Sept. 5-9, 1970.
20. "The Hex." Typescript, 1 p., Sept. 9th, 1970.
21. "The Twelve Dancing Princesses." Transformations of the
Brothers Grimm. Carbon typescript, 3 p., Sept. 13th, 1970.
22. "Cinderella." Transformations from the Brothers Grimm.
Carbon typescript, 3 p., 14-18 Sept. 1970.
23. "The Ambition Bird." Typescript, 1 p., Sept. 21, 1970.
24. "Red Riding Hood." Transformations of the Brothers Grimm.
Carbon typescript, 4 p., Sept. 16-20, 1970.
25. "Nein, Dokter." Carbon typescript, 1 p. Sept. 21-22, 1970.
(In The ..Q.Qmpj.ete Poems "The Doctor of the Heart") (112)
26. "For Mr. Death Who Stands With His Door Open." Typescript,
1 p., October 16th, 1970. Sexton, Anne page 3
Box 1 27. "The Doctor of the Heart." Variant carbon typescript draft of
/125. 1 p. , no date. (//2)
28. nFaustus and I." Carbon typescript, 1 p., October 20th, 1970.
29. "The Ballet of the Buffoon." Short story. Typescript, 12 p.
and title page, no date. Published in The Book of Folly
Houghton Mifflin, 1972.
30. "The Death of the Fathers."
a. "Oysters. II 1 p.
b. "The Boat. II 2 p.
c. "How We Danced. II 1 p.
d. "Santa." 2 p.
e. ":segat." 3 p.
Carbon typescript, 9 p. and title page, no date.
31. "Hair." Short story published in The Book of Folly, Houghton
Mifflin, 1972. Carbon typescript, 10 p., no date.
32. "Great Bells." Typescript, 1 p., no date. Titled "Dreaming
the Breasts" in The Complete Poems.
33. The De.ath Baby.
a. "Dreams."
b. "The Die-Dee Doll. 11
c. "Seven Tunes . 11
d. "Madonna."
e. "Max."
f. "Baby."
Carbon typescript, 5 p., November 20-26, 1970.
34. "The Red Shoes." Typescript 1 p., April 21st, 1971.
35. "The Amputee." Carbon typescript, 1 p., 23rd May 1971. Titled Sexton, Anne page 4
Box 1 "The One-Legged Man" in The Complete Poems. (1/2)
* 36. "Charges." Carbon typescript, 1 p., May 26, 1971.
* 37. "RX." Typescript, 1 p., May 27th, 1971.
* 38. "The Death of Nobodies." Carbon typescript, 1 p. , May 28th
1971-.
* 39. "Jokes." Carbon typescript, 1 p., May 28th, 1971.
* 40. "Waiting for the Axe." Carbon typescript, 1 p., May 30, 1971.
* 41. "Green." Carbon typescript, 1 p., May 31, 1971.
42. "Angel of Fire." Carbon typescript, 1 p., June 2nd, 1971.
Titled "Angel of Fire and Genitals," in The Complete Poems.
43. "Angel of Clean Sheets." Typescript, 1 p., June 3rd, 1971.
44. "Angel of Hope." Carbon typescript, 1 p., June 4th, 1971.
Titled "Angel of Hope and Calendars" in The Complete Poems.
45. "Angel of Flight." Carbon typescript, 1 p., June 4th, 1971.
Titled "Angel of Flight and Sleigh Bells" in The Complete Poems.
* 46. "Angel of Little Neck Clams." Carbon typescript, 1 p., June 4th,
1971.
47. "Angel of Blizzards and Blackouts." Carbon typescript, 1 p., June
6th, 1971.
48. "Angel of Beach Houses and Picnics." Carbon typescript, 1 p.
June 8th, 1971.
* 49. "Alienation of Affection." Carbon typescript, 1 p., June 14th,
1971. Dedication: "For A.H. who claims I stole her poem."
50. "The Silence." Carbon typescript, 1 p.' June 15th, 1971.
51. "The Hoarder." Carbon typescript, 1 p.' June 17th, 1971.
52. "Making a Living." Carbon typescript, 1 p.' June 21, 1971.
53. "Killing The Spring." Carbon typescript, 2 p.' June 22, 1971.
Sexton, Anne page 5
Box 1 54. "Friends." Carbon typescript, 2 p., June 22, 1971. 115 of
The Death of the Fathers. (112)
55. "Letters to Dr. Y 1961-1971." Typescript, 25 p. and title
page, no date.
56. "Gods. 11 Carbon typescript, 1 p. "Monday June 28th, 1971
given July 1."
* 57. "Jesus Ailing." Typescript, 1 p. , July 1st, 1971.
58. "The Other." Typescript, 1 p., July 3rd, 1971.
* 59. "True and False." Typescript, 2 p. , July 6th, 1971.
* 60. "Coffin Building." Typescript, 1 p., July 9th, 1971.
61. "The Wedlock. 11 Typescript, 1 p., July 10th, 1971.
62. "The Passion."
a. "Jesus Awake"
b. "Jesus Asleep"
Carbon typescript, 1 p. titled 11 The Jesus Papers11 in The Complete
Poems. July 11th - July 15th, 1971.
* 63. "Leaning." Typescript, 1 p., July 14th 1971.
64. "Buying the Whore. 11 Carbon typescript, 1 p., July 15th, 1971.
65. "Jesus Unborn. 11 Carbon typescript, 1 p., July 19th, 1971.
66. "Jesus Dies." Carbon typescript, 1 p., July 21st, 1971.
67. "Jesus Raises Up the Harlot." Carbon typescript, 1 p., July 24th,
1971.
68. "Jesus Suckles." Typescript, lp., July 26th, 1971.
69. "Jesus Cooks." Typescript, 1 p., July 28th, 1971.
70. "Jesus Summons Forth. 11 Typescript, 1 p., July 28th, 1971.
71. "Grandfather, Your Wound." Carbon typescript, 1 p., August
9th, 1971. (f/3) page 6 Sexton, Anne
Box 1 72. "Madame Arrives in the Mail." Carbon typescript, 1 p.' August
18th-25th, 1971. (1/3)
73. "August 17th, Disquieting. II Typescript, 1 p.' August 17th-25th,
1971.
74. "January 24th." Typescript, 1 p.' August 17th, 1971.
* 75. "August 25th." Typescript, 1 p.' August 25th, 1971.
76. "January 1st." Typescript, 1 p.' August 26th, 1971. * 77. "January 3rd." Typescript, 1 p.' August 26th, 1971. * 78. "January 9th," Typescript, 1 p.' August 27th, 1971. 79. "January 19th." Typescript, 1 p., August 27th, 1971.
* 80. "January 30th." Typescript, 1 p., August 27th, 1971.
81. "February 3rd." Typescript, 1 p., August 28th, 1971.
82. "February 4th." Typescript, 1 p., August 29th, 1971.
83. "February 11th." Carbon typescript, 1 p., August 30th, 1971.
84. "February 17th." Carbon typescript, 1 p., September 1st, 1971.
* 85. "September 2nd, 1971."
a. Typescript, 1 p., Sept. 2nd, 1971.
b. Variant draft, carbon typescript, 1 p., Sept. 2nd-3rd, 1971.
c, Variant draft, typescript; 1 p., Sept. 2nd-9th,,1971.
86. "String Bean, My _Lovely." Typescript, 1 p,, September 4th, 1971.
Titled "The Taker" in The Complete Poems,
87. "The Risk. 11 Carbon typescript, 1 p., September 14th, 1971.
88. 11 Wifebeater. 11 Typescript, 1 p., October 28th, 1971.
89. "Feb, 21st." Carbon typescript, 1 p., October 30th, 197!,
* 90, "The Big Mechanical Mamma." Carbon typescript, 1 p., Jan. 25th,
1972.
91. "Food." Carbon typescript, 1 p., March 3rd, 1972, Sexton, Anne page 7
Box 1 92. "The Wifebeater." Carbon typescript, 1 p., March 5th, 1972. (//3)
Same theme, variant of #88,
93. "Rats Live On No Evil Star,"
a, Carbon typescript, 1 p., March 6th, 1972.
b, Variant expanded version of a;)typescript, 1 p,, March 6, 1972.
94. 11 0 Ye Tongues." Photocopy of typescript, p. 1 - 19. Psalms
numbered 1-5, but in The Complete Poems they are numbered 1-10.
No date,
a. "First psalm." p. 1-2.
b. "First psalm." p. 3-4.
c. "Second psalm." p. 5-6.
d. "Second psalm." p. 7-8.
e. "Third psalm. 11 p. 9-10.
f. "Third psalm, II p. 11.
g. "Fourth psalm." p. 12-13.
h. "Fourth psalm." p. 14-15.
i. "Fifth psalm. 11 p. 16-17.
j. "Fifth psalm," p. 18-19.
* 95. "Here, David, rs Your Sun." Carbon typescript, 1 p.' April 22, 1972.
96. "Baby Picture." Ca,rbon typescript, 1 p.' April 23, 1972.
97. ''Praying to B;i.g Jack," Typescript, 1 p.' April 28th, 1972.
98, "Clothes, " Typescript, 1 p.' May 2nd. 1972. 99. ''The Children I s C't'usade. ,,
a. ''The Shout"
* b. "The Yellow Balloon"
* c. "The Spotted Dog 11
* d. "Manuel"
* e. "The Belly Dancer's Daughter" Sexton, Anne page 8
Box l * f. "The Birthmark." (//3) g. "Red Roses."
Carbon typescript, 7 p. and title page, no date.
100. "The Bat." Typescript, l p., May 30th, 1972.
101. "Hog," Carbon typescript, l p., May 31st, 1972.
102. "Porcupine." Carbon typescript, l p., June 1st, 1972.
103. Anne's Bestiary titled "Bestiary U.S.A." in The Complete Poems.
Carbon typescript, 22 p. and title page.
a. "The Bat." June 14, 1972. See /1100.
b. "Hog." June 14, 1972. See /1101.
c. "Porcupine." June 14, 1972. See i/102.
d. "Hornet." June 14, 1972.
e. "The Star Nosed Mole." June 14, 197'2.
£. "June Bug." June 14, 1972.
g. "The Snail. 11 June 14, 1972.
h. "Lobster." June 14, 1972.
i. "The Sanke." June 14, 1972.
j. "Moose." June 15, 1972.
k. "Sheep." June 16, 1972.
1. "Cockroach." June 17, 1972.
m. "Coyote." June 17, 1972.
n. "Seagull." June 17, 1972.
o. "Raccoon." June 17, 1972.
p. "Seals." June 18, 1972.
11 * q. "Cow. June 18' 1972. * r. "Butterfly." June 18, 1972.
s. "Earthworm." June 18, 1972.
11 t. "Whale. June 18, 1972. Sexton, Anne page 9
Box 1 U·, "Horse." June 18, 1972. (t/3)
* v. "Swan." June 19, 1972. 104. "The Fury of Sunsets." Typescript, 1 p., July 13th, 1972. ({/4)
105. "The Fury of Sunrises." Typescript, 1 p., July 14th, 1972.
106. "The Fury of Sundays." Carbon typescript, 1 p., July 16th, 1972.
107. "The Fury of Cocks." Typescript, 1 p., July 19th, 1972.
108. "The Fury of Beautiful Bones." Carbon typescript, 1 p., June 20th,
1972.
109. "The Fury of Hating Eyes," Carbon typescript, 1 p,, June 21, 1972.
110. "The Fury of Guitars and Sopranos." Carbon typescript, 1 p., June
21, 1972.
111. ''The Fury of Earth," Carbon typescript, 1 p., June 22, 1972.
112. "The Fury of Jewels and Coal," Carbon typescript, 1 p,, June 21,
1972.
113. "The Fury of Cooks, 1' Carbon typescript, 1 p, , June 24, 197 2.
114, "The Fury of Abandonment.'' Carbon typescript, 1 p. , June 22, 19 7 2,
1i 115. "The Fury of Letters." Carbon typescript, 1 p,, June 23, 1972.
116, "The Fury of Overshoes." Carbon typescript, 1 p., June 24, 1972.
117, "The Fury of Flowers and Worms." Carbon typescript, 1 p., June 25th,
1972.
* 118. "The Fury of Dying Children," Typescript, 1 p,, July 28th, 1972.
119. "Hurry Up Please It's Time," Carbon typescript, 8 p., no date.
120, "Jesus Walking." Carbon typescript, 1 p., Jan. 1973.
121. "God's Backside. 11 Carbon typescript, 1 p., Jan. 1973.
122. "Mary's Song." Carbon typescript, 1 p., Jan. 1973.
123. "Two Hands." Carbon typescript, 1 p., Jan. 10th, 1973.
124. "The Children." Carbon typescript, 1 p., Jan. 10, 1973. Sexton, Anne page 10
Box 1 125. "The Room of My Life," Carbon typescript, 1 p., Jan. 11, 1973. (/14)
126. "The Witch's Life," Carbon typescript, 1 p., Jan. 11, 1973.
127. "Blame." Carbon typescript, 1 p., Jan. 12, 1973. Titled "The
Earth Falls Down," in The Complete Poems.
128. "When Man Enters Woman." Typescript, 1 p., January 13, 1973.
With holograph note, "For Jane Bain."
129. "After Auschwitz." Typescript, 1 p., January 13, 1973.
130, "Courage," Typescript, 1 p., January 12, 1973.
131. "The Sickness Unto Death," Typescript, 1 p., January 20, 1973.
Holograph note: "For Jane Bain after she told me about the one
of "David" and may I add saying if once is saying it forever -
I mean is enough, It was not a kiss - - it was hope."
132. Untitled, "I was lost/and then I found I was crazy ... "
Typescript, 1 p., 1/17/73,
133, "The Break Away,'' Carbon typescript. 5 p. "Nov. 5th - Dec. 3rd -
Dec. 7th 13 and Monday night, today/night where I have no
calendar but Christmas walks toward me next week. 1973."
134. "Rowing." Typescript. 1 p., January 21, 1973.
135. "Locked Doors." Typescript, 1 p., January 21, 1973.
136. "The Evil Seekers." Typescript, 1 p., January 22, 1973, Holo.
note: "This is a metaphor for our therapy."
* 137, "Bubble." Typescript, 1 p., January 22, 1973.
138. "The Wall." Typescript, 1 p., January 23, 1973.
139. "Is It True?" Typescript, 9 p. "Started on January 22, 1973, ended
Jan. 24th, 1973,"
140. "The God-Monger. 1' Typescript, 1 p., January 24, 1973.
141. ''Jesus, The Actor, Plays the Holy Ghost." Typescript, 1 p., January
24, 1973. Sexton, Anne page 11
Box 1 142. "What the Bird With the Human Head Knew." Typescript, 1 p.,
January 24, 1973. (#4)
143. "Not So. Not So. II Typescript, 1 p.' January 24, 1973.
144. "The Dead Heart. 11 Typescript, 1 p.' Jan. 24, 5:00 p.m. 1973.
145. "The Play." Typescript. 1 p. 5:15 p.m. Jan. 24, 1973.
l~ 146. "That Story." Typescript, 2 p.' April 28th, 1973.
147. "The Awful Rowing Toward God." Photocopy of typescript. Variously
paged, 52 p. and 3 prelim. p.
a. "Rowing. 11 1 p. See #134.
b. "The Civil War." 1 p.
c. "Two Hands." 1 p, See #123.
d. "The Children." 1 p. See //124.
e. "The Room of My Life, 11 1 p, See 11125.
f, "The Witch I s Life.'' 1 p, See #126.
g, "Blame." 1 p. retitled "The Earth Falls Down" in The Complete
Poems. See #127,
h. "Courage." 1 p. See //130.
i. "Riding the Elevator Into the Sky. II 1 p.
j. "When Man Enters Woman." 1 p. See //128.
k. "The Fish That Walked. II 1 p.
1. "The Fallen Angels." 1 p.
m. "The Earth." 1 p.
n. "After Auschwitz." 1 p. See //129.
l~ o. "The Baby. II 1 p.
p, "The Poet of Ignorance." 1 p. q. "The Sermon of the Twelve Acknowledgments. " 2 p. r. "The Evil Eye.,, 1 p.
s. "The Dead Heart. II 1 p. See 1/144. Sexton, Anne page 12
Box 1 t. "The Play." 1 p. See 11145. (//4)
u. "The Sickness Unto Death. II 1 p. See 11131.
v. "Locked Doors." 1 p. See 11135. w. "The Evil Seekers. " 1 p. See 1/136. * x. "Bubble." 1 p. See 11137. y. "The Wall." 1 p. See 11138.
z. "Is It True?" 8 p, See /fl39.
aa. "Jesus, The Actor, Plays the Holy Ghost," 1 p. See 11141.
bb, "The God-Monger,'' 1 p. See 11140.
cc. "Not So. Not So,'' 1 p. See If 143.
dd. "What the Bird With The Human Head Knew," 1 p, See 11142.
ee, "The Fire Thief, ,, 2 p. ff. "Welcome Morning. " 1 p. gg. ''The Big Heart, " 1 p. hh, "Words." 1 p. ii. "Mothers. " 1 p.
jj. "Doctors. II 1 p. * kk. "Small Coin. " 1 p. 11. "Frenzy." 1 p.
mm. "Snow." 1 p.
nn. "Small Wive." 1 p.
oo. "The Saints Come Marching In. " 3 p. 55 p.