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.