File consists of preliminary notes and mimeographed poems for what is.

Includes Morrissey’s earliest poems; juvenilia; the manuscript for Morrissey’s first publication, a chapbook entitled Poems of a Period (Montreal, 1971); other early unpublished manuscripts. A copy of Poems of a Period is enclosed.

File consists of Montreal Poets Information Exchange (M.P.I.E.), volume one, eleven issues, 1975 - 1976. This magazine was published by Mattie Falworth, an English teacher at Vanier College, St. Laurent, Quebec. M.P.I.E. was essential in bringing together poets and poetry lovers by publishing dates and places of poetry readings and other information on poets' activities.

Drafts and completed poems written between 1970 to 1978; manuscripts show Morrissey’s interest in concrete and sound poetry and emphasis on experimental writing.

File consists of M.P.I.E., volume two, thirteen issues, 1976 - 1977

File consists of the mailing list for what is. This was largely compiled with the help of Richard Sommer, one of Morrissey's professors at Sir George Williams University (Concordia University since 1974).

Includes rough drafts of poems, including the manuscript for The Trees of Unknowing (Montreal, Vehicule Press, 1978). Photocopies of reviews of The Trees of Unknowing; invitations to the book launch at Powerhouse Gallery in Montreal; and photocopies of letters from Robert Creeley, Northrop Frye, F.R. Scott, John Newlove, and other writers regarding The Trees of Unknowing are also included. Also included are other original manuscripts by the author. A copy of The Trees of Unknowing is included.

File consists of a copy of what is, April 1973, issue # one. Printed on one sheet of legal size paper is a sound poem, "3 voices: words and silences", by Stephen Morrissey; a mimeographed introductory note is stapled to each copy.

File consists of M.P.I.E., volume three, eleven issues, 1977 - 1978

Contains original copies of poems including working copies of the manuscript for Divisions (Toronto, Coach House Press, 1983). A limited edition chapbook of Divisions (1978) published by Sunken Forum Press is also included.