a new boundary and other pieces by guy r. beining (1980)

 

a new boundary and other pieces

guy r. beining 

woodrose editions

Waupaca, WI

(c)1980

My introduction to the work of guy r. beining was a postcard printed by The Bellevue Press back in the 1970s. Some research later I found more of his work and sort of dismissed it out of turn (sorry, my bad) 

I must have found his mailing address somewhere along the way because I found a letter that he had written me reminding me to send some of his artwork back to him when I was done looking at them (?) The letter was postmarked 2015. I hope I did return the pieces, I have no recollection either way. After rediscovering the letter, I sought a book of his that I might read the type of writing he was producing and found a copy of this book. 

                                        Much of the work appears on the page in a fashion similar to e e cummings or a LANGUAGE poet; the spacing on the page is intentional. I like that. The words breathe because they are not clumped together like sardines in a can. Yes!

KitchenHEAT by Ava Leavell Haymon (1991)

KitchenHEAT

Ava Leavell Haymon

Maude's Head Press

Houston, TX

(c)1991

The press no longer exists in the way it was operating in 1991. The poet is still alive and quite active. This staple-bound handsome chapbook is a joy to hold and read. 

 

Prayers Are Better Sung by Rhiannon Dickerson (2018)

 

Prayers Are Better Sung

Catalyst Books/Tollbooth Press

Redwood, CA

(c)2002

               This entry is different - I googled the name and among the links shown was a poem read aloud by the poet herself (in 2018) and once I heard her read that poem, and I opened this book and read the acknowledgments page - I knew it was the same person. I could hear the same voice while reading the words as I heard  from watching the short video. 

                This is a 18 page small format booklet with a color photo of the poet, back to camera, walking along a road (going somewhere unknown)

                I need to hear and read more from this poet. 

A Life of Stephen Dedalus by James Liddy (1969)

 

A Life of Stephen Dedalus 

James Liddy

White Rabbit Press

San Francisco, CA

(c)1969 

Lovely chapbook. Great detail to cover design and production. The poetry is also noteworthy. Oh - and my copy was inscribed and signed by the poet. It's a keeper.

Serving Up Liberty by Jacquelin Dougan Jackson (2018)

Serving Up Liberty

Jacqueline Dougan Jackson

Beloit City Press

(c)2018

One of a series of books brought out by Ms Jackson. The author has been bringing out a book a year since 2005. (reminds me of Julia Vinograd), Different type of work than Ms. Jackson and the cover image here could easily have gotten the author and press is serious copyright issues, but hey....I am here to acknowledge. 

Stop! Don't Hit Me by Boom Box Editions of the CYPM (1994)

 Stop! Don't Hit Me

Children and Young Poets Movement

funded through the San Francisco Arts Commission

(c)1994

Poems and artwork created under the Poet Teacher Chaski who also edited this collection and provided the graphic design. This copy was exposed to moisture and it unfortunately a bit "wobbly" It is, all the same, a noble effort.  

The Prez Who Swatted a Fly by Garrett Murphy (2019)

 

The Prez Who Swatted a Fly

Garrett Murphy

self-published

(c)2019

Mr. Murphy reminds me of a certain Berkeley based poet (Julia Vinograd) for the tenacity with which they approach presenting their work and churning out books. 

Mr. P. Squiggle's Reward by Dennis McCalib (1948)

 Mr. P. Squiggle's Reward by Dennis McCalib

the alley printshop

Pasadena, CA

(c)1948

Dennis McCalib was known for his poetry and printing techniques. Much of his work has been collected in the Smithsonian Institution and elsewhere. His work has also been written about in various publications including Brown University. 

Additionally, Mr. Squiggle was a well known Australian children's character who was on "the tele" from 1959 - 1999. Quite a run indeed. However, this booklet was published 11 years before the Australian character came into being, and it also predates any listing of any book that Dennis McCalib brought out. Making it quite unique. Additionally, it was signed by Mr. McCalib - making it extremely rare. And I found it at the bottom of a box of donated books at a local library. Karma can be kind. 

Native Life in South Africa by South African Tourist Corporation (no date given)

Native Life in South Africa

South African Tourist Corporation

Printed in London but created in South Africa. 

This a handsome book of propaganda. It was made during Apartheid rule in South Africa. Beautifully illustrated of "native people" in the attire of their pre-colonial existence. So, by all means, travel to South Africa and support their white-rule. I did mention that it was "handsome", right?

Scattered Seeds - First Month (1899)

 

Scattered Seeds

Monthly journal 

volume 31, No. 1

24 page, staple bound, 1899 monthly journal of stories and poetry with illustrations. Definite time capsule material. 

fissure by dt marilyn west (2017)

 fissure

dt marilyn west

anarchist daughter productions

Oakland, CA

(c)2017

small format booklet. Staple bound. Might have been present at an anarchist book fair held out there, uncertain. I am certain that the author and I would have progressively louder conversations about what constitutes a "poem" in the 21th century. 

Catalyst: A Collection of Poetry by Hanan Seid (2020)

Catalyst: A Collection of Poetry by Hanan Seid

Handmade Storybooks

Arlington, VA

(c)2020

While the poetry within is the work of Ms. Seid, the presentation here is all Sushmita Mazumdar and it is gorgeous. 

Time and Other Birds by Mary Shumway (1976)

 

Time and Other Birds

Mary Shumway 

Konglomerati Press

Gulfport, FL

(c) 1976

I have mentioned this press before, their unique interpretation of the word 'magazine' consisting of a handful of "visual poems" in a paper binder, each poem free and loose for the holding or sending. 

I wanted to know if they actually made bound books and I found this hardcover 'chapbook' with poetry by Mary Shumway and calligraphy by Margaret Rigg. It's a beautiful book. Well conceived and executed. 

Happy to have it. 

Taft "wickedest city in America" by Deb Davis-Quitt (2001)

 

Taft "...wickedest city in America..."

Deb Davis-Quitt

self-published 

(c)2001

As often as not, what I am writing about here is an acknowledgment of the existence of both a writer and a book. That is the case here. I just found this "sliver of nothing" in a large book donation at the local library. I retrieved it. Saved it, more than likely. And so, I am making you aware of the existence of Deb Davis-Quitt who lived and wrote and died in 2024. 

It may well be that the link to her obit will also disappear - but she lived and wrote and here is something that she self-published. 

Taft seems as though it was not a good place to settle down in. 

Ultimatum by Glen Coffield (1943)

 

Ultimatum

Glen Coffield

Untide Press

Camp Angel, OR

(Conscientious Objector camp)

(c)1943

I never expected to have a copy of this booklet, even a reproduction of this booklet, in my hands ever. But to me it's the true starting point of both the modern poetry chapbook movement and the mimeograph revolution. 

As it happened, the person responsible for the recreation also wrote the book about the camp where all this took place and the men involved and who then also explored some of the initial ripples that were caused by the making and exchanging of these "simple things". 

I have been assembling material for a book about poetry chapbooks and after reading multiple accounts of the San Francisco Poetry Renaissance it became clear to me that something happened before the 1950s, something had happened to a handful of the men who made their way to San Francisco after WWII and I learned that this same handful had spent the war as COs (Conscientious Objectors) confined to a camp in Oregon. That camp, Camp Angel, was designated to have a Fine Arts Group complete with a mimeograph machine. 

In addition to Glen Coffield at the camp were William Everson, Kenneth Patchen, William Eshelman, George Woodcock and others. Several of these COs went to become poets or printers who started their own presses, or influencers in other fields. 

I am extremely excited to have this item. It serves as the starting point for me, and now I can plunge in. 

Women the Children the Men by Roberta Metz (1979)

Women the Children the Men

Roberta Metz Swann

Laughing Bear Press

Woodinville, WA

(c) 1979

This is an interesting book but not necessarily meant at a positive. I like the poems, for the most part, but the presentation is somewhere between confusing and just blank OFF. I do understand that it is a chapbook and there are various limitations in that, but to shrink some poem's font size to a reading needing to use a magnifying glass to read it is a bit absurd. 

As it is/was (published in 1979 so the very existence of the book in my hand is both present and past tense) the chapbook is 63 pages and the paper stock is a grade up - perhaps - from transparencythin. I suppose some secret sauce might be revealed in the Laughing Bear Newsletter I have linked above. 

I do credit the production of this book for using different typewriter fonts (1979, so I am imagining the use of one of those semi-circular "heads" one could pop onto one of those new-fangled typewriters of the period) but shrinking the font size of a poem to fit it on a single page when it's already over 60 pages doesn't seem practical to me. {yes, I am also a publisher}

Our Mother Blooming by Jim Bodeen (1986)

Our Mother Blooming

Jim Bodeen

Blue Begonia Press

Yakima, WA

(c)1986

Jim Bodeen is a poet. And a printer. And a publisher. And a fixture in the Yakima, Washington artistic community. 

This handsome oversized book is a fine example of his work. I have included the publisher's page since it includes the time of year when the book was completed : "...as the first crocus emerged through the snow in last February". 

Handsewn. This is everything I love about chapbooks; the care to detail is exquisite. 

Apologies by Tony Mancus (2019)

Apologies 

Tony Mancus

Reality Beach, NY

(c)2019

Reality Beach is a foregone conclusion. It doesn't seem to have made it into the 2020s. I am aware of it because I was gifted (at Christmas 2025 - by a masked Santa) with this book. 

I know and admire the work of Tony Mancus. However, the presentation of this book does not fill me with awe. It does not feel that much effort was put into the production of this book. I hope that Tony finds a different home for these poems. It would be unfortunate if this was their final destination. 

4 poetry booklets from the 2021 Ledbury Poetry Festival (2022)

 

After Everything

Ruzanna Voskanyan

The Trapeze Heart

Volha Hapeyeva

Probable Landscapes

Danae Sioziou

Preludes

Eleni Cay

         I admit I am not up on my international poetry festivals and never heard of this one but someone who seems to have attended no longer had the interest in keeping these and tossed them all into a donation bin which I then scooped up. Handsome booklets. Obviously part of a well oiled operation. Each booklet has poetry in original language and then English. 

         Great addition to my collection

24: I mean this thing [by multiple poets] (2011)

24 : I mean this thing

6X6 series 

Ugly Duckling Presse

New York City

(c)2011

This copy has a flat tire (if you will). The pages are bound by a large rubber band but this one, the band broke so the pages are loose and free. This issue contains poems by Bill Cassidy, Helen Dimos, Par Hansson, Aaron Kunin, Kyle Schlesinger, and Rebecca Wolff. 

I have been intrigued by and have followed the trajectory of Ugly Duckling since they were founded. They are so worth supporting. 

The African Repository Volume 2 number 4 (June 1826)

 The African Repository

volume 2 number 4

Washington City

(c)1826

I thought I had mentioned this one before but apparently not. Found it in a thrift store on the bottom shelf of a book rack. A historic gem. The publication started in 1825 with the stated purpose of sending African descendants back to Africa (because they couldn't possibly be American citizens). This one is June 1826. It is rate and it is not pristine (but honestly who could hope for that?)

It was edited by R. R. Gurley (Ralph Randolph Gurley) who was also listed as Agent for A.C.S. (African Colonization Society)

eckClogs multiple authors (2015)

 

eckClogs

Magus Magnus

with Tony Mancus, Casey Smith, and Gowri Koneswaran

Furniture Press Books

(Towson, MD)

(c)2015

This was a collaborative effort by the poets involved both in the text for the outdoor presentation/performance and the cover art which itself was created by all 4 artists. 

This was the first effort of 'Illuminated Editions' side project of Furniture Press, which was the brainchild of poet, archivist, and publisher Christophe Casamasima.

The cover is nearly double the size of the handsewn text. The text itself was created by all 4 poets for a performance and installation at the Canal Park Event Day in Washington DC on Sept. 20, 2014. My copy is number 98 of 100 printed copies. 

There was a denseness of purpose to this project that I won't attempt to swim in but knowing these poets and the publisher as I do, I have no doubt as to the intensity of forethought and the execution of the event on the day this was performed. 

Too bad I wasn't there to take it all in. 

A Short-Cut to Correct Pronunciation 1946 Section Two by Estelle Hunter (1946)

A Short-Cut to Correct Pronunciation 1946

Section Two

Estelle B Hunter

The Better-English Institute of America

Chicago, IL

(c)1946

Okay, this is NOT a chapbook. This is a staple bound text book seemingly for people wanting to or needing to learn how to pronounce English better within a year of the end of the Second World War when a flood of "acceptable" immigrants arrived in the US. I was intrigued and appreciative of the cover paper stock. It is actually tactual. I like the way it feels. 

Lost River by James Tate (2003)

 Lost River 

James Tate

Sarabande Books / Quarternote Chapbook Series #2

Louisville, KY

(c) 2003

36 page staple bound chapbook. If you are familiar with the author's work, this is in your wheelhouse. 

Myself, I am getting a bit anxious about how I am reading poems that are more like short stories, with some poetic words sprinkled in, which is not something that interests me personally. (It's my blog and I will whine if I want to.)

Poetry bleeding into prose poetry without calling itself prose poetry because it isn't really that either.