The items in this collection consist primarily of May Swenson's typed or handwritten letters, cards, and postcards to her sister Grace Swenson Turetsky, whom she affectionately called "Michael Raine." These letters offer a glimpse into the tender relationship between Grace and May, and highlights May's clever use of language and sense of humor. Also included are several letters to May's brother George, her parents, and to the family as a whole. In addition, there are letters to Grace from May's partner Pearl Schwartz, and a letter to Grace from attorneys regarding May's will. The correspondence covers a period from 1941-1988. Other items include May's 1928 Logan High yearbook, photographs, blessing and baptism certificates, published works or articles by or about May, memorials, the poem "Totem" printed and sent to Grace in a mailing tube, and a leather coin purse from Italy that was a gift to her father in 1960.
May Swenson (Anna Thilda May Swenson) was born on May 28, 1913, in Logan, Utah, the daughter of Swedish immigrants (her father, Dan Swenson, was a professor of mechanical engineering at Utah State University). Following her graduation from USU in 1934 she took a job as a reporter for the Deseret News. A year later she moved to New York City where she worked in a variety of jobs, including as a stenographer, until she became the editor for New Directions Press in 1959. In 1966 Swenson quit working as an editor in order to devote herself full time to writing. For the remainder of her life she lived in Sea Cliff, New York. She died on December 4, 1989, and was buried in Logan.
Swenson's trademark was her use of complex wordplay in her poems, which frequently took the form of riddles or unusual arrangements of the words on the page. These "iconographs" often were arranged to resemble the shape of the poem's subject. Frequently classified as a nature poet, Swenson received much praise for her descriptions of natural phenomena and her sensory tone. Her chief themes were animal and human behavior, sexuality, death, and the nature of art and perception. Swenson's poetry has often been compared to the writings of Elizabeth Bishop, e.e. cummings, and Gertrude Stein. Over the course of her career, Swenson published seven volumes of poetry. In addition to her poetry, Swenson also wrote three books of poems for children, a play, three short stories, and a book of translated poems by the Swedish author, Tomas Tranströmer. Several additional volumes of Swenson poetry have been published posthumously.
May Swenson received a wide variety of recognitions and honors during her career, including serving as poet-in-residence at several universities in the United States and Canada during the late 1960s and early 1970s. She was the recipient of Guggenheim, Ford, Rockefeller, and MacArthur fellowships and a National Endowment for the Arts grant. In 1972 she received a medal from the International Poetry Forum for her translation of Tranströmer. Swenson also received the Shelley Memorial Award from the Poetry Society of America, the Bollingen Prize from Yale University, and an Award in Literature from the National Institute of Arts and Letters. She was also elected a member of the latter organization, as well as the Academy of American Poets of which she later served as chancellor. In 1967 she received a Distinguished Service Gold Medal from Utah State University, and in 1987 an honorary doctor of letters.
This collection is divided into two series: I. Correspondence arranged by date, II. Other memorabilia.
No restrictions on access, except: not available through interlibrary loan.
It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain any necessary copyright clearances.
Permission to publish material from the May Swenson family correspondence and memorabilia must be obtained from the
These items were donated to USU Special Collections and Archives in 2022 by Paul Crumbly. He received them from Chris Eyre, son of Ruth Swenson Eyre, sister to Grace and May Swenson. Grace had saved these letters and given them to her sister Ruth at some point.
May Swenson papers,
May Swenson addendum,
May Swenson photograph collection,
May apologizes for not visiting, says she is low on funds. Has movie projector but no films, suggests George bring films when he comes in May. Says hello from Frankie (Anca Vrbovska).
On J. Widder letterhead, says she got fired today, company was some sort of racket and she had a row with the boss. She only worked there two weeks. Says she has another job lined up at $25 a week and that the $10 he lent her will be repaid soon.
Postcard, writes of having heard from Betty Larson that she saw Michael in The Vagabond King. Betty spoke approvingly of Michael's "chassis." Asks about the $100 Michael owes her.
Written while Margaret is visiting May. Writes that the visit will do Margaret good, refers to an affair Margaret has with a marine by the name of Bernie. May attaches ridiculous romantic lyrics from May 29.
Includes a hairbrush ad of girl who reminds her of Michael, characterizes members of the family.
Says she has lost weight and now weighs 110. Has a job two days a week at a gallery off 57th Street. Writes after not going home for Christmas, and has many questions
Word has reached her that Michael is about to marry. May wishes her a happy sex life, says she hopes her offspring will be as sturdy as the springs on her bed will need to be. Refers to letter from her mother about Michael being married by Christmas. Says her poem "Haymaking" was printed by the Saturday Review of Literature. Says she fell in love during the summer (a partial coming-out letter?). Says she hopes she hasn't "waited too long" on this.
Still in Logan following Christmas, thrown from a horse of Jay's and injured her shoulder and hip, leading to a week of confinement. Feels great except for head cold, but will never go to Logan again in winter. Hopes to travel by Greyhound to LA before returning to NYC.
Asks Michael to send a transcript of one of her songs/records she has made. Signs "with love, Miken," Pearl's name for May. Encloses article from New York Post about the Hollywood search for a flat-chested dame, says James Laughlin helped get her into Yaddo. Refers to Jay (Pearl), says she has written new poems.
Describes how much fun she is having at Yaddo, mentions meeting writer Jane Mayhall, who is interested in Michael's singing, includes postcard of Yaddo.
Expresses gratitude for Christmas gifts, expects to publish book of poems later this year. Says the soul must be clothed too. Comments on having missed Christmas in Logan. Mentions big party at Perry Street, and describes subway trip in poetic language.
Writes of family news and checking in about Dad's cataract operation. Mentions Jane Mayhall recording. Good humor throughout, fun with LDS spirit world and George's poor timing with birth of his children. Handwritten note (by Michael?) saying to keep this letter, it may be valuable one day.
Two notes enclosed: shorter one refering to magazines May sent Michael. Longer one mentions poems she has completed and calls herself an egomaniac. Asks for opinion on Jane Mayhall's song lyrics. Mentions Mayhall's short story "The Darkness," indicates Trudi still lives with her and Pearl, mentions Roy's letters and wonders if he has ever been truly happy. Refers to herself as lapsing at times into reptilian Nordic type, due to fjord water in her blood.
Describes Yaddo to her parents and acknowledges letters she has received from them.
Mentions disappointment at Michael's cancellation of visit, humorously comments on widespread despair. Complains about her landlord, refers to Trudi as something of a dope.
Quick note saying Saul Baizerman will be teaching at USC and may get in touch with Michael, says she will be going to MacDowell.
Short note to say she will catch train from Sarasota Springs to visit Michael and Phil in Brooklyn. Looks like May went to Yaddo after MacDowell.
Pearl apologizes for her lack of cordiality during Michael and Phil's visit. Attributes her behavior to death of her analyst in October. Says that when she and Miken (May) come to LA, Michael will see the real Pearl. Signs, Blackie.
Describes Roy's visit while on his way to Sweden. Says she had a lovely time and received a note from Margaret saying she and Lael are moving to Illinois.
Expresses gratitude for birthday gifts, and says sending gifts is one way to get her to write letters. Says she will sign contract with Scribner's for Another Animal this week, no advance, just 10% royalties. Says she and Pearl plan to spend two weeks vacationing in Provincetown, recommends Simone de Beauvoir's The Second Sex.
All in red type. Comments ceramic ashtray Michael sent is too extravagant. Mentions her visit to LA, eating bean soup, and loving Laurel Canyon. Says Jay and Ricky visited and asks if Michael saw her poem in the January 30th issue of The New Yorker, page 85 ("Snow by Morning").
Short note thanking Phil for a letter and referring to three enclosed charms. Postcard refers to a postponed trip to NYC, mentions that Another Animal came out on September 14.
Brief Christmas card.
Lisa is 4 months old. May quotes Michael on peculiarity of contemporary culture, and recommends The Lonely Crowd by David Riesman. Pearl has operation on her vocal chords, and now May has to talk for two, when she doesn't really like talking at all.
Expresses gratitude for record albums, regrets missing Phil in August, mentions writing the enclosed poem ("11th Floor - 4th Street") from the window of New Dirctions. Offers to send subscription of The Village Voice to Michael for Christmas.
Says she and Pearl will be coming out west for readings in September. Just sent back corrected galleys for Cage of Spines by Rhineheart. Thanks Michael for a Gerald Heard recording that she exalts in amusing rhyme. Says she heard from Phil that Michael is in analysis.
Thanks Michael for birthday telegram, asks if she saw May's poem and photograph in Mademoiselle. Says Pearl balks at the two months of travel May has planned but will come anyway.
Wants to know if Michael will be at home around September 20 when she and Pearl will visit. Utah State wants her to give a reading on November 2.
Talks of making the trip with Michael to San Francisco to give readings. [She will go on Gerd Stern's houseboat in Sausalito during that trip]
On New Directions stationery. Says the stay in LA was wonderful, and this is sort of a Christmas card and thank you note.
Says Cage of Spines is selling well and was nominated for the National Book Award, calls Pearl Purple, and says Pearl is now working at the Bureau of Child Welfare. Postcard thanks Michael for a shirt sent to Pearl and a pullover for May as a birthday gift.
Asks Michael to locate a private phone and call her collect on Monday, July 27th regarding a confidential matter. Mentions that Roy just got married to Merle.
Enjoying fall colors, ran back to NYC to host Beth and Jay for three days on their return from Iran.
Sends a signed copy of "The Pigeon Woman."
May and Pearl will be sailing to Europe in about seven weeks, plan to stay until November. Reviews travel plans. Won a $100 prize she had to claim at the Waldorf. Says the food was terrible. Handwritten note on the back about acquiring a passport and requesting news from home.
Thanks Michael for a charming letter, discusses travel preparations. They sail March 31 on the Maasdam.
Postcard, speaks glowingly of the ship, says they have not experienced seasickness. Says they will mail postcard from Ireland. August photo of May in Perugia, Italy. September photos of May in Rome and Siena.
A short letter asking when Michael will be coming east. Calls May "Swen." Sends her love and asks for a letter.
A Christmas thank you for presents, asks about Phil's attempts to call her. Says she and Pearl have a dog called Wednesday, and now working on her next book (To Mix With Time).
Post card, sends love to Ruth, says she will return a book (Franny and Zoey) when she gets to LA.
Mentions a medical report on her father's stroke. Discusses various doctors her father saw. Mentions the Steuben Glass Anthology, saying the poems did not match up will with the glass.
Mentions her mother's departure following a visit with May and Pearl. George and family attended a small reunion at Perry Street.
Writes of mother visisting with two young missionary men. Says Nikolai will be 2 in August. Michael is planning to visit May at Perry Street.
A Loren MacIver card, which is a reproduction of a work by a friend of theirs married to Lloyd Frankenberg, the poet. Says To Mix with Time is going into a second printing.
Says she wishes they could take their mother to Sweden, proposes covering half of his expenses if Paul is willing to take Margaret to Sweden. Grace sends the letter to Paul with a note asking that he send it back.
Postcard, staying in a Swiss chalet, just saying hello. Refers to a houseboat trip on long mountain lakes.
Letter to family about their mother having a stroke. Margaret is in the hospital but will return to her apartment, and will need $295 per month for home health care. May presents a list of how much each child should contribute.
Writes of teaching a writing class at Utah State from mid-July to mid-August. [Margaret dies this year]
Letter to family describing an upcoming family reunion in memory of their parents, to be held in Logan Canyon at Guinevah Campground. There will be a family meeting on August 18-19 to decide how to dispose of their mother's property, especially the house at 669 East 500 North. Enclosed note says that May will give a reading on August 15. May is in Logan living in her mother's apartment.
Contains earlier letter from Sea Cliff that mentions a talk with Grace's daughter, Lisa. Also mentions having stopped at the University of Texas at Austin and being shown the campus by Gladys Goodall. Larger letter is addressed to Professor James B. Hartzell of UCLA, telling him she must receive $500 in order to make the trip out to participate in the "Festival of Poetry Therapy." Says her friend Ann Stanford participated the previous year.
Regrets leaving Arizona and dreads going to North Carolina, though she is glad to be wanted. "Mainly I just like to be lazy and listen to my 'voices' and record what they say, calling the result a 'poem.'" Writes of going to SLC so Zan can see an internist, stays at Margaret's in Provo. Says Zan suffered horrid procedures that go in from the mouth or "up yours route". Diagnosed with inflammation of duodenum. Loved being with Margaret and Lael, mentions a long letter from George asking for a loan and she advises that he go on welfare.
3 postcards. Thanks Grace for family news, writes of going to Dorland in Temecula, California, a Christmas postcard with original verse: "So peace and good cheer/ While Christmas is here/ And love for all the year/ to each one so dear."
Contains a flyer/program for a performance of Swenson's poetry at the University of Texas at Austin, April 18-19. A group performance directed by Lee Hudson.
Urges Michael to see Ingmar Bergman's movie Fanny and Alexander.
Discussed winter plans to travel to Florida before spending the winter in NYC, includes November 16th section of Washington Post and brochure advertising an upcoming publication of illustrated poems, including one by Swenson. Also included a Decoration Day 1971 poem/lyric transcribed on Phil Turetsky office memo pad while in the Bluebird Cafe in Logan.
Refers to the Cochise Art and Poetry Festival in Arizona where Swenson will read. She will go to Utah for a family reunion. [On the back of the envelope, May writes what may be a list of persons she has had a crush on or had a romance with at some point in her life]
Contains a magaine clipping from The Atlantic letters to the editor dealing with search for life on other planets. Says this reminds her of Michael. Letter points out the waste in scientific funding - a humorous piece.
Mentions the September 2nd issue of New Yorker notice of Grace's daughter, Lisa Turetsky, as Babette in an opera. [Lisa is now a therapist in Glendale, CA]
Form letter to siblings regarding family reunion that she cannot attend. Completing manuscript of In Other Words. Plans for reunion next June when in Logan for commencement and honorary doctorate. Letter contains Zan's (R.R. Hudson) bibliography of sports publications she has authored.
Informing Michael where she and Zan will be until Feb. 4, comments on birds.
Christmas card, blessing animals, insects, and plants.
NYC law firm of Pryor, Cashman, Sherman, & Flynn, attorneys representing Paul as executor of May's estate, and Zan a executor of May's literary estate. Includes partial copy of will giving a share to each sibling, and half shares to Anca and Pearl.
A collection of poems by May. Not professionally printed.
Also includes scratch paper with "funny names seen or heard on the news"
Includes Western Review, Poetry New York, Accent, Scribble, and Listening and Writing
From a package sent to Grace from Pearl Schwartz in November 1990
Includes two professional photographs from Atelier von Behr, New York City
Also includes program from May's funeral
Includes 1987 USU commencement program where May received the Centennial Recognition Award and Honorary Doctor of Letters degree.
by Carole Gallagher, responding to Marshall Ralph's "appreciative lather"
Not professionally printed, inscribed to May by author
Christmas gift to May's father, includes note, banknote and 10 coins from Spain, France, and Holland