Each H by Samuel Amadon (2009)

Various chapbooks by Samuel Amadon
Each H (2009) Ugly Duckling Presse
Spy Poem (2008) Projective Industries
Goodnight Lung (2006) Octopus Books

Beware! I am taking over and revising completely the 2011 rather pathetic review I did for Each H even though I very much like the work of UDP. I got to bring UDP to Robin's Bookstore in Philadelphia back in the day. They were doing a "anti-reading" event and it was great, really, for the 3 people there who saw it. It was a Friday night in Philly, who does a weird poetry event in Philly? I mean, 'attends'.

I didn't have a lot positive to say about Amadon's effort with UDP or their effort for him. A bit of a dud compared to many of the other things they have published. It felt rushed to me. BUT - I did learn the name Samuel Amadon because of it so that was worth it. No, I mean, not that night in Philly but a few years later when UDP really started cranking out their marvelous chapbooks.

Then I got Spy Poem which came from a Santa Claus in Upstate New York who dropped three bags of treasure on me. I had not heard of this press either but "Hey - remember Samuel Amadon 'Each H'? Have to read that." Well, it misappeared before I read it but I can read this one. And I do, and it's good. Okay, on the cover is a very small Star of David and a slightly larger Sickle and Hammer from the USSR but when reading this I see a rapper with hand gestures rocking these words. They were meant for the stage first, has to be. Pauses to breathe (and think) then another wind up and BOOM!

Back into the vaults with you, a keeper!

And finally, a double surprise for me was realizing that one of the 8 books I got from Octopus Books was in fact written by Samuel Amadon. A definite thread flows from his work. All 3 books are like from the same larger manuscript.