Robert Indiana kept a series of illustrated journals during the late 1950s and 1960s, in which he discusses the development of his work as well as his daily life on Coenties Slip.

Indiana begins his journal entry for February 3, 1962, noting that there was still snow on the ground, and detailing the letters he received in the mail: one from John Dunn regarding his exhibition at St. Mary's College (University of Notre Dame), and the other from Museum of Modern Art curator Dorothy Miller, who included a courtesy pass to the museum, and asked if it was possible to see more of his work. He also records a visit from Tony Paul, on vacation from Bowdoin College, which he informed Indiana, upon seeing The Calumet, was Henry Wadworth Longfellow's college. 

Indiana writes that after Paul's departure he finished up Polygon: Triangle, "first-state-wise," and then began Polygon: Octagon. He includes a sketch of the latter, with a note added at a later date indicating that the work went into the collection of Joseph Heil.

Indiana also records receiving and making several calls that day.