PREFACE

It is out of a certain reverential obligation, and a kindred sense of duty, felt chiefly among the literary society of my peers, that I publish these, the last recorded writings of Pierce Starking, before his mysterious disappearance in August of 1974.

It is, I admit, with a keen regret, that I acknowledge my reticence to see any of this man’s later work in print. And it is in a final attempt to retain my own sense of artistic integrity, that I have elected not to publish my half of our two year correspondence.

These twenty one letters are the last recorded work of Pierce Starking--writer, intellect, society man, and self proclaimed adventurer. And so, it is with bitter reserve, and no further ado, that I provide this final record of a gifted, controversial, and often mysterious man. For what it's worth, I commit these letters to posterity. Not because I feel that they offer any profound insight into the nature of the man, not because I fear his loss into the passage of time, and not out of any particular love of posterity. But simply because I can.

-Ambrosia Bellouié

The amount of correspondence that actually makes itself a permanent fixture of my retrospect, is regrettably only a small portion, when compared with the amount that I actually read. And even that, I must admit, is only a small percentage of that which I receive.

So, Ambrosia, first things first. While admittedly flattering, your closing regard of, ‘Your Greatest Fan’ is not necessary, and will not be tolerated if you should wish to continue this correspondence. And as for your opening salutation, ‘Sir’ is likewise formal and unnecessary. Pierce will do just fine. Now to business.

The poem that you sent me, Bourgeois Blue was simply delightful. And yes, I do feel that it quite accurately conveys a sense of the rigors of childbirth.

I look forward to hearing from you again soon, Ambrosia, and equally forward to reading some more of your poetry.

Sincerely,

Pierce Starking

Your poetry betrays a beauty, an insightfulness, that I had previously thought absent from this empty desolation which we deem society.

Should you choose to relinquish any of it to me, that is to say, should you endeavor to allow me to further, I daresay, to start your literary career, I should be most willing and grateful to do so.

Otherwise, I can only offer only my heartfelt encouragement, and it is with the deepest, sincerest considerations that I look forward to reading some more.

I implore you to consider my offer, Ambrosia.

Respectfully,

Pierce Starking

I am both overjoyed and relieved by your prompt response to my offer and your excitement. I am so glad that you are willing to accept my service, and I must tell you that I have a small confession to make…

You see, I anticipated your zealousness, and have already forwarded samples of your poetry to one of my publishers. I expect a reply imminently, and I am certain that it will be favorable.

Keep your fingers crossed, Ambrosia.

Hopefully,

Pierce

I fear to be the bearer of sorry tidings. I am in the unfortunate position of informing you that my publisher has declined my request to print your work.

Have no fear. This is only a minor setback. In the annals of time, we will look back upon this with a certain humorous detachment, and satirical retrospect. This is a game of waiting, Ambrosia, and waiting is the virtue of the writer. Believe me, I speak from experience. My collection of rejection notices rivals the pages of my published work. And surely you know, Ambrosia, that if nothing else, in my youth I was a most prolific writer. I have forwarded your work to a second publishing group.

Because I thought that it might amuse you, I have enclosed a copy of the rejection notice. Take heart, Ambrosia, time and persistence are on your side.

Encouragingly,

Pierce

Still no word on your poetry. But this is to be expected. Nothing happens overnight. Don't worry, I'm sure it's only a matter of time.

Patiently,

Pierce

Your interest in my work is both heartening and encouraging. In response to your query, or as you say, your eager anticipation, regarding my next book--thank you, but frankly, I don't think that I have another novel in me.

I expect a reply from my publisher any day now, regarding your poetry.

Presently,

Pierce

I realize that it has only been two days since my last letter, but I have received important news. News that requires my urgent attention.

It seems that a certain cousin of distant relation, has called upon my obligation as only remaining family, to call upon him in time of need. You see, I am to understand that he suffers from an obscure tropical illness, and has only a short time left to him.

I do not mean to burden you with the personal tribulations of my somewhat eccentric and sickly family. I only mention it, to say that I will be away for an indefinite period. I should stay with my cousin until the end.

In proper respect for your own best interests, Ambrosia, I have ordered all of my mail forwarded to my cousin's estate in Delhi. So while it may seem, in the future, that our correspondence has been forgotten, this is not the case. It is only that there is a considerable delay, resultant of a rerouted postal system.

Please bear with me through these rigorous and trying times, Ambrosia.

I thank you.

Apologetically,

Pierce

My deepest thanks for your heartfelt consolations. I am doing well, more that I can say for dear Bùnuél.

However, I am beginning to get settled in, and am seeing as much of this extrinsic and mysterious country as possible (when I can find the time).

I hope you are well, Ambrosia, and I look forward to hearing from you again soon.

Sincerely,

Pierce Starking

Well, here I am, back in the States. It seems that my cousin’s endurance was considerably less than even his doctors had accredited him.

I am well, Ambrosia. Tired, but well. It is good to be back, and I feel hurried by the need to resume my own life, again. I will write to you soon.

Sincerely,

Pierce Starking

I have finally received a reply from my publishers regarding your poetry!

While they did not accept it (strictly on the grounds that it is not suitable to the standards of their particular publication) this means only that they did not understand it.

Do not be discouraged, though. For they have elected, pending my permission, to forward your poetry to another magazine, owned by their compatriot, a sister publication. They assure me that the poetry is more suited for this publication, and I have already given them the go ahead to send it over.

I will hopefully be able to send word of their acceptance in my next letter.

Respectfully,

Pierce Starking

I write only to inform you that I will be spending the next few days (perhaps the entire week) in Barbados. A much needed vacation.

Keep writing, Ambrosia. I trust that your Muse is still at attention.

Sincerely,

Pierce

Still waiting for that reply. But a friend of mine, a certain Jack Meiller, a novelist and poet, who writes for The Poet's Garden has just "heard" of you, from me. He agrees that your poetry expresses a "fine lyric" but has expressed a deeper much more considerable interest in reading your book.

I've told him that there is no book, but he’s insisted upon my trying to procure one from you--or in the very least to prompt you to consider writing one. But pay him no heed, Ambrosia. He is a man to be taken with a grain of salt, and never with any degree of seriousness.

My two weeks in Barbados were simply wonderful. What a majestic country! If you ever have the opportunity to go there, Ambrosia, do not pass it up. Perhaps, some time in the future, we should even be able to meet there?

Hopefully,

Pierce

Please sit down, Ambrosia. I have heard from the magazine, and they have accepted your poetry. All information will be included in my next letter.

Excitedly,

Pierce

You have written to me expressing your interest in seeing your poetry in print. The name of the magazine is, L'Affaire des Petite.

While admittedly a rather obscure title, my sources assure me that it is indeed a major publication. As to where you might possibly find a copy--your guess is as good as mine. However, I shall inquire to the publisher on the prospects of my receiving a copy. (Probably in lieu of a certain amount of the payment for your poetry.)

And it is my promise, that if I do receive an issue, the first thing that I will do is mimeograph a copy, and forward it to you.

Assuredly,

P.S.

I have enclosed the promised mimeograph of your poetry as it appears in L'Affaire des Petite. Enjoy!

You will notice that your poem, Pappa Din, Mamma Done, does not appear here. While still a wonderful poem, I don’t feel that it was quite up to par with the rest of your work.

You will also note that I have elected to change the title of Ruffled Feathers to The Parrot, as well as omitting the last verse, which I feel made the poem rather anticlimactic.

Congratulations,

Pierce

In answer to your query as to the payment for your poetry, let me just say this: It is not wise to barter with your publishers.

Ambrosia, this is a game of "take what you can get."

Knowingly,

Pierce

Pardon Me! And thank you for enlightening me as to the absent minded and assuming nature of my last letter.

Of course, I now realize that you were not inquiring as to the amount of your payment, but as to the location of said payment.

Let me assure you, Ambrosia, that all is well. It seems that in my haste to forward your work to the eager publishers, I neglected to include your return address. And having already disposed of the envelope and seal from your letter, I had no choice but to give them my own. For ease and swiftness of all matters financial, I included my own name, as well.

Rest assured, Ambrosia, I will have my bank forward payment to you, just as soon as I receive it.

Presently,

Pierce Starking

Again I assure you that it is merely a matter of crossed communications and fouled up postal services that are to blame for your waylaid check.

I beg of you to bear with me, and to keep in mind that these are matters of trivial importance. Should you have any more poetry that you wish me to forward to your publisher, please feel free to do so. They have expressed a keen interest in reading more of your work.

Sincerely,

P. Starking

Ambrosia, we are intellects! We are artists! Your persistence in this matter of a waylaid check is beginning to become both tedious and offensive. These financial trivialities are beneath us…

Please Ambrosia, I implore you, there are more important matters at hand. Matters of high art. Matters of the mind. "Legal representation," indeed!

I warn you Ambrosia, I am a patient man, but even my patience is not without limit. You should do best not to violate this temperance, or to invoke my wrath.

-Pierce Starking

I am sorry to have been away when you called, but surely your visit, unannounced as it was, could have been more conveniently scheduled, and handled in a more professional, even adult, manner?

As it was, your arrival not being known to me, I was unable to make the proper arrangements for you to pick up that check. Again I apologize for any inconvenience, Ambrosia, and assure you that all matters financial or otherwise, will be taken care of promptly.

These things take time!

Respectfully,

Pierce

You say that you did announce your visit, several letters ago? I am sorry, Ambrosia, but after a careful rereading and inspection of the entirety of our correspondence, I am unable to find it. You must be in error, and in the anticipation and excitement of your voyage neglected to include this announcement in your letter, as you thought. Surely such an oversight is understandable, even forgivable?

Again, I regret to have been away when you called.

Have you ever been to Aruba, Ambrosia? The treasures, both intellectual and trivial, that I found there were enough to capture anyone's fancy…

Should you ever endeavor to journey there, it comes highly recommended.

Respectfully,

Pierce Starking

ENDNOTE

That was the last recorded correspondence of Pierce Starking, before that son-of-a-bitch disappeared with all my poetry.

-A.B.