New York, June 10, 1946. From Fernando Sabino to Clarice Lispector (Letters Close to the Heart)

New York, June 10, 1946

Clarice,

This is the fourth letter I begin to respond to yours.

Just yesterday I remembered a lot about you, because an American asked me if my watch was Swiss. Does Switzerland really exist?

From here in New York I can't tell you anything other than what you calculate.

I've been really missing your book that I left in Brazil, to plagiarize a few pieces when I'm going to write mine. I'm having a lot of headaches. I'm having many nightmares. I'm having no money. I'm having many opportunities to remain silent. I have been very disappointed with the Post Office. I have been tired, homesick and calm. I've been drinking a lot, a lot, a lot. I've been reading the Sunday supplements. I've been wanting to go back. I have cursed Getúlio a lot.  I have been very afraid of dying. I have been very sorry that Helena married me. I've been wanting to play a lot.

Clarice, 

I'm lost in the midst of so many past participles. I feel like smoking and I've run out of cigarettes, I feel like dating in the afternoon in a little square full of trees.

Just thinking that you will be reading this letter many days after it was written makes me want to not send it. But I command.

Write to me, I will respond immediately. How is your book going? What do you do at three o'clock in the afternoon? I want to know everything, everything.

Write me a seven-page letter, Clarice.

From Fernando Sabino

Clarice Lispector and Fernando Sabino distinguished 20th-century Brazilian literature differently, each expressing themselves according to their own talent. Although over time, Lispector was the one who went deeper into the question of style and literary expression, both authors gained attention from the critics of the time and were hailed as promising young writers, destined to have a successful career. From the collection of letters sent by them, Close To The Heart.

(Sorry for any translation error!!!!)