45 Mercy Street Author:Anne Sexton, Linda Gray Sexton (Editor) Anne Sexton's voice did not cease with her death. She left two unpublished manuscripts: 45 Mercy Street and an untitled binder full of new poems. Although she considered the first collection "complete," she was still revising it at the time of her death. In June of 1974, she wrote to her literary agent: "I have actually finish... more »ed another book, 45 Mercy Street, but am glad to have the time to reform the poems, rewrite and delete." Ordinarily, Anne Sexton reworked her poems again and again, often changing a line or a word while the "finished" manuscript was in its final stages at the publisher's. Although she was often obdurate — sticking by any aspect of her work that she believed in — she also knew how to use others' criticism to advantage. She relied heavily on her editors, friends, and fellow poets, watching and listening to their reactions. So it began with 45 Mercy Street, although ultimately she did not find time enough for that final perfection.« less