Cherkovski, Neeli

From the Middle Woods

ISBN: 1883197074
Cullowhee, NC: New Native Press, 2011. First Edition. Softcover. Signed by publisher Thomas Rain Crowe. "In From the Middle Woods Neeli Cherkovski has done the nearly impossible: he has blended the sacred and the profane, as well as the essences of pristine nature and concrete commerce. Originally inspired by The Confucian Odes, the poems in this collection bring to mind the lovely acrobatics of Tu Fu and Marichiko in translations by Kenneth Rexroth. Cherkovski's "elemental" poems, sprung from personal experiences, bring to life such landscapes and sensations as the pungent odors of ocean and pine needles along the tree-studded coast of northern California. Here, East meets West and politics meets wilderness head on, yet gently, in Cherkovski's capable and caring sculptor's hands." (from back cover) A collection of ancient Chinese & Japanese-inspired poems & haiku by Neeli Cherkovski, who was at the side of Thomas Rain Crowe in the very center of the Baby Beat Generation/ Second San Francisco Renaissance during the 1970s, as colleague & co-impresario (see our book, Starting From San Francisco, Item No. 3071, Deluxe Edition No. 3075). With color reproductions of classic 19th century woodblock artworks by Ando Hiroshige on front & back covers. Trade-format softcover original, first edition, second printing as stated on copyright page (but with number sequence thereon indicating a first printing), a production of Crowe's New Native Press imprint. On the copyright page, just below, next to & very slightly overlapping with reference to himself & NNP, Crowe has hand-written his signature in bold blue ink. A deep & rewarding later Cherkovski collectible; with association & provenance of Crowe, his lifelong friend, cohort & kindred poet. In very fine condition with only very slight rubbing to front, back covers & spine; a few tiny bumps at edges & corners of same; one very small, light spot-stain at lower edge of text block towards spine. Interior very fine with only tiny bumps at edges & corners of some page leaves. Very Fine. [Item #4133]

Price: $25.00