PART 5
Tom Mandel begins:
Innocence
Of all things of thought, poetry is closest to thought. — Hannah Arendt
“THE BEST THING about being a writer is writing—doing it.” That’s Rae talking, though no doubt not her exact words. It’s 1977, early summer I believe, and we’re walking down Market Street near Sanchez where she and Chuck live. Behind us, a great prow of clouds extends from the hill that leads to the Haight, where my place is, and I think it’s literature looming over us, listening in. Sunlight pours down on the Safeway across the street; it must be mid-day; we’re walking somewhere to have lunch, probably at the Cafe Flore.
“Next best is to read what you've written to your friends.” Do I agree? I will come to agree over time, certainly, but I don't know about now.
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