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to Estelle Spero
10 May 1944
Diamond, Sidney, 1922-1945
Diamond informs Estelle that he broke the clasp of the bracelet that she gave him when disassembling a Japanese machine gun.
GLC09120.409
11 May 1944
Diamond writes that he has enclosed a questionnaire that "concerns two misguided morons who for no other reason than lust, financial gain, and imbecility consider the problem of spending the rest of their natural lives making each other miserable."
GLC09120.410
13 May 1944
Diamond passes comment on the previous night's entertainment. He also discusses an army film on England, which he writes gave "a direct, frank, and uncolored recognition of white prejudice towards the negro and an appeal…for understanding and...
GLC09120.411
17 May 1944
Diamond writes the letter while "comfortably loafing on hospital bed", waiting for surgery on a cyst. He tells Estelle that if her cousin joins the infantry and goes into active combat, he will have tremendous respect for him: "Truly the infantry is...
GLC09120.412
18 May 1944
Diamond writes "hot & bothered", with "bandages sticking". Diamond expresses frustration about the fact that all press about the "work" that has been done in the South Pacific accredits all success to the "God damned marines."
GLC09120.413
19 May 1944
Diamond describes the experience of receiving surgery in the army hospital the day before.
GLC09120.414
22 May 1944
Diamond expresses frustration about being "shackled" to his hospital bed while recuperating. He describes a conversation that he had with his "cell mate" from New Zealand, who had been amazed "at American soldiers not getting the fullest...
GLC09120.415
23 May 1944
Diamond informs Estelle that he was menat to go to the general hospital to have his surgery, but instead he had managed to persuade the doctor to operate on him in the line hospital. Had he been moved, he "would have left on a certain morning on a...
GLC09120.416
Diamond jokingly complains about his doctor and the ward boy, and their treatment of him.
GLC09120.417
24 May 1944
Diamond informs Estelle that wherever she happens to be on her birthday, she should know that he will be thinking of her. He also writes that there is "nothing new to report from 'sick bay'".
GLC09120.418
25 May 1944
Diamond writes that there are rumors that some nurses may be sent to the army hospital. If this transpires to be true, he states that they will be the first white women that he has seen in seven months.
GLC09120.419
27 May 1944
Diamond responds to a number of Estelle's letters. Regarding "that hotel deal," he writes that he regrets not having had "those few moments free from fears of curious eyes, of parental scrutiny, - just to be alone -." He informs Estelle that once...
GLC09120.420
30 May 1944
Diamond writes that he is still "sojourning at the 52nd Field Hospital." He then responds to a series of letters that he has just received. He relates an argument that he has had with "Bud", about the concerns of the soldiers overseas. He...
GLC09120.421
May 1944
Diamond writes a short note informing Estelle that work has piled up, but that he is so happy that she is "the gal."
GLC09120.422
to Sidney Diamond
Shelvelson, Harris, fl. 1944
Letter thanking Diamond for his informing the magazine that the poem that they published in their April issue appears on a tombstone in the Bronx, and not Indiana as they claimed. Diamond then appends the letter with a short handwritten explanation...
GLC09120.423
Diamond describes his daily routine in the hospital.
GLC09120.424
2 June 1944
Diamond describes the other patients in the officers' ward of the hospital.
GLC09120.425
4 June 1944
Diamond informs Estelle that he does not want a large family, but that he plans on "consulting" Estelle first.
GLC09120.426
5 June 1944
Diamond writes that the night before, the radio broadcast Fiji music, and he expresses surprise that "somehow the music - melody - intonation - of those not marred by civilization can be so completely expressive." He then goes into a lengthy...
GLC09120.427
7 June 1944
Diamond discusses the "news of the continental invasion."
GLC09120.428
8 June 1944
Diamond tries to understand why Estelle is angry with him.
GLC09120.429
Diamond describes the Texan ward boy. He also explains that, although he had already written Estelle a letter that day, he "felt like being with [her]."
GLC09120.430
Diamond informs Estelle that Mario Colin, presumably a friend, had written that "the average soldier doesn't know what he's fighting for" in a letter addressed to Sidney. Diamond then refutes this: "…I believe wholeheartedly in the way of government...
GLC09120.431
9 June 1944
Diamond writes that he intends to break up the monotony of the day by getting a haircut, and going to an "artist" to have a picture of Estelle copied together with a portrait of himself, "just so we can see what we look like together…" Sidney...
GLC09120.432
11 June 1944
Diamond responds to a series of points raised in Estelle's recent letters. He instructs Stella to "get the most out of [her] stay at Northwestern." He explains the "rotation deal" which could allow him some leave after two years spent overseas.
GLC09120.433
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