Across the Spectrum:The Interdisciplinary Life and Letters of John G. Neihardt (‘Flaming Rainbow’)

For the last two years, I have been doing research on you. You can imagine my surprise to find you, and the pleasure of being able to tape your conversation with Dick Cavett, which I heard locally, last night. I am one of your most devoted fans with a fond admiration for your work, though my intentions are not as involved as your dear wife's were.

I became acquainted with you through a geneology search for one of your distant relatives who once lived here in Marion. He too, is a poet, but a secret perhaps I shouldn't tell, since he is a business man in the Oklahoma City area. It is evident since "Neidhart the Fox," yours is poetic family. Between the tape, your writings, and the research material received from the Nebraska Historical Society, and the University of Nebraska, I've become as well acquainted with you as I am my own father.

I am freelance writer who leans toward the "unknown" factors of thinking. As you stated in the interview, you know Black Elk Speaks has caused quite an interest among the "now" generation. The young people are looking for a better understanding of religious belief. They want a meaning behind their faith that can be worn like a cloak to keep them warm in all they do.

This brought about an idea taken from the Indian legends, of a white man coming into their midst, and the Indian nation shall rise again. I am looking at this from a spiritual point of view with you as the "white man" in the midst. The "now' generation holds a high respect for the wisdom of age. I would be very honored to have a few words from you, your opinion, perhaps some small gems in message to the young people in antedote for my article. Being a theosopher with my own philosophy, it would please me to know yours in comparison. Thank you for your time and consideration.