I met this fellow years ago, a free spirit in an age of disipline and
control, trying to learn the latter in an advanced logic class. I don't
think he finished the course. I was asked by the prof to keep him
afloat, and got to know him a little as a consequence. He phoned me for
years after, and today found the diary. Here is what he wrote to me.
Dear Carolyn,
I was surprised to find your diary on the net, especially
since I was looking for info on Chomsky! I have decided, after some
thought, to e-mail you.
You might consider sending in your Master's theses into Chomsky
himself. I recently wrote a letter to him and he responded within a
month.
My own opinion of your diary is that you have finally created
a literary work of art. Art, after all, is really about life
which is what your diary is about. Have you read "The Diary of
Anne Frank" or the novel "Flowers for Algernon" (one of my favorites)?
Your diary reminds me of them.
Anyway, since you have realized an old goal of publishing, I
thought I would make a minor contribution. I have included two
poems in my letter. One is very much like a haiku, though I think
it is off by one syllable. The other one is a description. Both
were partially inspired by you (but not completely since they
have a larger context). Here they are:
Well, that's all I have to say. Take care, and I hope you find
what you're looking for.
Sincerely,
May the harmony within blossom into a state of fragrance.
She is like a conspiracy of thought
living through the states of paradox
and the infinite kingdoms of nonsense
evergrasping with silent fingertips
at the dandelions of truth.
Philip.
I wrote back something fairly cruel and noncommittal so that he won't start writing me eamil forever too. If I knew a better way, I would use it.