This collection of Ashland, Kansas native Ronald Johnson's papers reflects his literary and professional writing activities, containing poetry, galley proofs of poetry books, recipes, and proofs for cookbooks. It also contains personal letters from friends, including poet Jonathan Williams and artist Ian Hamilton Finlay.

This collection consists mostly of letters from concrete poet Ronald Johnson to friend and fellow writer William Benton. Also included are several parts to Johnson's life work, an epic poem called "Ark." Many of the letters contain personal correspondence between Johnson and Benton regarding each other's writings and Johnson's struggles as an artist.