[ Adolphe Shedrow, French-language poet. ] Two Typed Letters Signed (both 'Adolphe'), both in English, to 'Henri', discussing the role of the 'purposelessness of life' in the work of the poet, his latest work ('Anneaux de Mousse') and other matters.

Each letter 2pp., 12mo. Both in good condition, on lightly-aged paper. He starts the first letter by expressing 'great pride and immense joy' in sending 'my seventh book of French poems [...] According to the reviews, it is the best I ever wrote'. He continues with references to the recipient's 'short but memorable visit to Johannesburg', and to 'the uncomplimentary remarks passed by my confreres in Johannesburg', these being 'indeed compliments, for they indicate that I do not belong to them, in spite of our common profession. They are midgets, cretins, and waste of time to even mention them'. He continues by stating that he has lived for thirty years 'in the wilderness, in the game reserve', and that this has given him 'such a wonderful gift of writing poetry and getting away from the cruel mob'. The second letter responds to the recipient's report of his impression of the Shedrow's book, which brought him 'some sense of quietude and consolation, mingled with an element of purposelessness of life'. This, he explains, 'is what the poet like me finds in every corner of his daily life. He brings to the fore problems of life affecting each and every one of us, it intensifies the pain it evokes'. He continues with a long discussion of existential problems, referring to 'that dreadful feeling of helplessness and frustration in the face of human problems', and describing himself as a 'tormented soul [...] who went through purgatory and was so oft[en] misunderstood and ploughed a lonely and sad furrow'. The letter's valediction, in autograph, reads: 'I embrace you to my withered but always exalting heart | Yours | Adolphe'.