The collection consists of a handmade copy of Dirk Shears’s only book of poetry, letters from Shears to his friends Laura (Rempel) Klocke and Richard Klocke, a few photographs of Dirk Shears along with photographs of his art, and a two-page timeline of the city of Chicago with illustrations and quotes. The letters range widely in subject from art, architecture, literature, philosophy, science and politics to personal items, mental health, addiction and employment after incarceration.