The Cheer-Up Book of Wounded Soldier by Evan Kennedy (2007)

The Cheer-Up Book of Wounded Soldiers
Evan Kennedy
Dirty Swan Projects
(c)2007

Much that can be said of this project is on the blog for Dirty Swan Projects. As conceptual art, it might work. My grandfather served in World War I so I came to this project with an open mind. However, the flags for all the voices is a bit confusing and the poetry is equally confusing. All this may well fit into the work that Dirty Swan does, and their heart might be in the right place (check out the blog for the book itself, all proceeds go to a school established in 1915 for WWI soldiers - The Cheer-Up blog) but I must admit I didn't get it.

Roadside Vegetation Management by Harry Chandler (2000)

Roadside Vegetation Management Manual For Rural Road Crews
Harry Chandler
Vermont Woodlands Association
Colchester, VT
(c)2000

I found two copies of this little chapbook with the specific title and purpose. Staple-bound. 26 pages of detailed information on keeping rural roads clear for automotive transport. How do deal with downed trees, etc. I feel like I ought to learn to chew tobacco to fully appreciate this book.

Civilization Day by Erica Kaufman (2007)

Civilization Day
Erica Kaufman
Open 24 Hours
Bronx/Brooklyn, NY
(c)2007

The Open 24 Hours press have been published by the collective powerhouse of John Coletti and Greg Fuchs. It intentionally mimics or pays tribute to the mimeographic publications of the 2nd and 3rd generation NY School poetics. The name of the press came from a Buck Downs poem, taken first by the Baltimore-based poet Chris Toll, the first publisher of a press by this name. That was in the 1980s. The name was used by Downs for a small magazine he published.

This 8 X 11 homage to the traditions of those earlier period is a bit too clean and polished, the is single side printing throughout (to fluff up the work). Erica Kaufman's poetry is worth reading and this is a fine example of her range. Worth the hunt!

Nips by John M Bennett (1980)

Nips
John M Bennett
Luna Bisonte Prods
Columbus, OH
(c)1980

Staple-bound chapbook. 39 pages. collage and visual poetry as well as "textual poetry". John M Bennett has been both an active participant in the Visual Poetry world and a cheerleader for that very world. His work appears in many places, in many forms; both in performance and on the page. Innovative.

This particular book follows the adventures of Nips and others. Found text, random images, twisted metaphors. Great collection!

A Slow Drink by Brian Morrisey (2004)

A Slow Drink
Brian Morrisey
Magenta Press
San Francisco, CA
(c)2004

Staple-bound chapbook. Wasn't struck by any of the poems in this collection, not thrilled by the presentation either. It's been quite a while since I said this, but SAVE A TREE!

A Musics by Carrie Hunter (2010)

A Musics
Carrie Hunter
arrow as aarow press
(c)2010

Hand-sewn chapbook. #94/125. Unnumbered pages. The Press seems to have been very active in 2010 and then completely disappeared. Their website has nothing more recent than 2010. The blog for Carrie Hunter seems to have dried up in 2009. Possible deadends. My interest in this press comes from their publishing Michael Carr. I have a strange history with Mr. Carr (ebay posting)

This is a worthwhile read. Very collectible.