Excerpt:
Anne’s Last Letter
(dated 5 April 1849 to Miss [Ellen] Nussey)
Such clear handwriting, as though etched
with a fine Berol in brown ink. To save paper
she wrote across the page, turned it 90 degrees.
I hold Anne’s letter (last valued at £180,000)
in its folder of thick plastic. I daren’t touch
the original for fear I’d start to cough, my lungs
in revolt. I have no horror of death she writes,
God’s will be done. I have no religion and want
to live. Though Anne is my favourite, I won’t bring
her letter to my face, lick this pricey envelope.