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.