Lorine Niedecker

Visited her in March (1970)—rumors: total recluse — something wrong with her? Mental breakdown?—ordinary cleaning woman in mental hospital—so, trepidation—fears groundless / “moment I walked in her door, she was opposite of recluse: outgoing, of good cheer, very lively. Time flew. Delightful afternoon—much in common with Al. —House only a few steps from water, ground-level (no basement or steps) so small, if three of us had called on her instead of two, we cdn’t have moved past each other

— from Carl Rakosi’s manuscript collection at UC-San Diego.