Letters to an Organization

To the College of Learned Men from W. Shakespeare petition Worthy sirs! I address you with a petition full of humility and hope. For many years I have served the word, and the word is the only thing I can offer you. But I see that in your assembly this word carries no proper weight. I beg you: do not judge hastily. Give the word time. For a word spoken in anger destroys, while a word spoken in love builds. In hope of your wisdom, W. S.

To the City Council from J. Joyce statement Gentlemen! My words will be brief, like life itself. I live in this city, walk its streets, read its newspapers, pay its taxes. And more and more often I ask: what for? What for do we do what we do? I ask you: give the city breath. Not new buildings — a new feeling of life. So that people go out into the street not from necessity, but from desire. So that the words you speak have meaning. With respect, J.