Tinasky Letters

[WildForest at aol.com]

Here's an initial sampling of the Tinasky letters.  

They are type-written, and corrected w/ pen.  They are signed in a peculiar,
script/print style.  The current issue of the AVA has a reproduction of the
first (and lengthy) Tinasky letter, including the signature, which may give
additional clues (if this is Mr. P, afterall) to the authors tastes in
reading materials.

Prior to the AVA letters, which appeared from 1985-1990, a series of letters
signed by one Wanda Tinasky were sent to a small weekly paper in Mendocino,
CA called The Commentary.  The letters launched some fairly biting criticisms
of the paper's politically correct poetry page.   The editors soon banished
the devisive WT from the paper's pages.  As a sign-off Tinasky sent this
letter to Judy Brown, a sympathetic  at the paper:

Judy Brown:

I honestly do think poetry is important to people, in much the same way that
clean air and food and water are important to people.  I do not have my head
up my ass; I know that people are being murdered so that I can have bananas
three pounds for a dollar.  I know that most of the human race goes to sleep
and wakes up hungry.  I know that most of the wealth of the earth comes to my
country and turns to atomic waste.  I know that every hour species of my
fellow beings born with Adam will become extinct.  I know this planet is
being poisoned to death because of vanity and fear and hate, and I know these
things are mine.  I believe that poetry is  an immediate answer and an
ultimate answer to these things:  I believe that poetry is the language of
the Muse.  Who exists in a far different way from a cute conceit.  I don't
think there are such things as "good poetry" and "bad poetry;" I think there
is a part of language that's the language of the Muse, Who is a Goddess, and
God help us all!.
Best wishes to Tinaskys everywhere.

Wanda Tinasky