Letters from a Desert Prophet

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Did I really say that 'an ice age would be nice'? Actually, I'm in favor of expanding desertification. I'd like to see North America become a dry, sunny, sandy region inhabited mainly by lizards, buzzards and a modest human population-about 25 million would be plenty-of pastoralists and prospectors (prospecting for truth), gathering once a year in the ruins of ancient, mysterious cities for great ceremonies of music, art, dance, poetry, joy, faith and renewal. That's my dream of the American future. Like most such dreams, it will probably come true. That is why I'm still an optimist.

Sincerely, Edward Abbey-Moab

Trickster was another of Abbey's roles. A letter to 'Mizz magazine' in 1973 needled that 'Some of us menfolks here in Winkelman ain't too happy with this here magazine of yourn' (and drew a good-humored response from Ms. founder Gloria Steinem). The letter below was addressed to Abbey's friend David Petersen, who would later edit selections from Abbey's poems (Earth Apples) and journals (Confessions of a Barbarian), as well as Postcards from Ed.

To David Petersen
(circa March 1989)

Dear Friend:

Perhaps you have heard of me and my nationwide campaign in the cause of temperance. Each year, for the past fourteen years, I have made a tour of Arizona, Colorado, Utah, Nevada and Texas and have delivered a series of lectures on the evils of drinking.

On this tour I have been accompanied by my young friend and assistant, Clyde Lindstone. Clyde, a young man of good family and excellent background, was a pathetic example of life ruined by excessive indulgence in whisky and women.

Clyde would appear with me at the lectures and sit on the platform, wheezing and staring at the audience through bleary, bloodshot eyes, sweating profusely, picking his nose, passing gas and making obscene gestures to the ladies present, while I would point him out as a perfect example of what over-indulgence can do to a good man.

Last fall, unfortunately, Clyde died.

A mutual acquaintance, Dr. Stan Silberman, has given me your name and suggested that you may be seeking employment in the near future. I wonder if you would be available to take Clyde's place in my forthcoming lecture tour?

Yours in Faith, Rev. Edwin P. Abbott

One can imagine Abbey's response had he lived to know that former Cyprus Pima Mine Company president Paul W. Allen was awarded a Medal of Merit at the 1999 American Mining Hall of Fame and Annual Awards Banquet.

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