Letter from Dean Trivette to Richard Chase, 1996
Item
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Title
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Letter from Dean Trivette to Richard Chase, 1996
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Description
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The only letter from Dean Trivette to Richard Chase in the special collections, dated February of 1966. Among the topics of discussion are Trivette's new relationship and his run-in with Chase's old friends. Trivette writes from Berea College See transcription in the full item view.
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Creator
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Dean Trivette
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Date
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1966
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Identifier
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AC133 Richard Chase Papers 1.4 MCR4.3
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Publisher
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Appalachian State University Digital Collections
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Source
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Courtesy of Special Collections Research Center, Appalachian State University
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Type
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Handwritten Letter
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Transcription
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Dear Richard,
Inspite of a lagging bit of correspondence you are still here in this night resting in a perfectly secure memory. Oh, but this night is so very, very precious - and shouldn't everyone [unintelligible] be. As I walked along the sidewalks underneath the tall yearling trees, I felt like wispering [sic] a good night and special thanks to our campus [unintelligible] - the squirrels that chatter each day and appear among the trees, and the trees that feel the pull of gravity down and energy up as their greenery waves into the star light. And then, too, I noticed the buildings from a visitors viewpoint, each with its own hall [unintelligible] in thunder and colored silence. Wouldn't it be so great if only more could learn to get a reaction to everything he [next page] he does - and even if he has eaten the orange for many breakfasts, it would tremendous for that individual to imagine what it would be like to eat it for the first time and to marvel at it citric flavor instead of taking for granit [sic] its flavor.
Thank you for the poetry publication. There have been in the recent past some discussion that possibly I had some relationship with the boy that I mentioned to you. So I have [unintelligible] it - not see him nor show any unusual warmth in the manner to which i would speak to him. He will see your poetry sometimes, though I cannot send you any of his poems. I'm sure you do understand. Perhaps it is better that our relationship to grow apart by some reason, for if it did not I might become like life without death, static breaking with the power that has been subjected to. I could serve only to [unintelligible] what [next page] whatever we might have Iearned about each other. It is good that I broke away from this possible attachment, not only for reputation, but for the sake of not becoming [unintelligible] with a dictational person as he is. I am not in shape for dictatorship in my life and what I do, but rather creativity must play the larger roll, so that some day I will be an ever better rounded individual.
Mrs. Church wrote recently and questioned, probably for Beulah, if you would return to North Caroline anytime in the near future years. We hope you can come by Berea in May. Do write well ahead of time if you can do so. Mrs. [unintelligible] would be especially interested in meeting you. Mrs. [unintelligible] is usually a very busy lady and doesn't usually take time to meet people. Still, I would like to have you meet her. She is a good person [next page] in many ways, and without question, one of the most creative and perfection-[unintelligible] people that I have met.
The dance festival last weekend was great! Your usual friends form the Pine [unintelligible] Settlement [unintelligible] Settle Schools [unintelligible] to you. They each remembered you so well and wishes to know how you were, esp the pianist, who you know well. She retires next year and will live in Knoxville, Tenn.
The day has been long and beautiful and filled meaningful experiences. The dorm lights are going to rest for the evening, and with them those that consider learning a great opportunity and a privilege.
Good night - thanks for the letter and poems - it was very thoughtful of you, Richard. I treasure them both deeply, and especially, the person from whom they came. Dean
