Whalen, Philip

Scenes of Life at the Capital

ISBN: 0912516003
San Francisco, CA: Grey Fox Press, 1971. First Trade Softcover Edition. Softcover. “Having returned at last and being carefully seated / On the floor – somebody else’s floor, as usual / Far away across that ocean which looked / Through Newport windows years ago – somebody else’s / livingroom – Another messed-up weedy garden…” (from the opening stanza, pg. 1). Thus begins Philip Whalen’s (1923-2002) Scenes of Life at the Capital, his ninth book of poetry during the years of the San Francisco Renaissance. It serves as a reflection of his time in Kyoto, Japan from 1966-67 where he began his studies in Zen Buddhism. The dedication page reads “For Allen Ginsberg,” a tribute to one of the great figureheads of the Beat movement with which he was also associated. Throughout this book-length poem is the use of Chinese characters and other unconventional uses of the poetic space of the page, along with a stream-of-consciousness style and Whalen’s simple but effective use of the American voice. From the collection of Erin Black Matson, the late artist-poet who, along with her then-husband the acclaimed poet: educator, was a member of the Beat Generation- morphing into the 1960's counterculture. the Matson's were colleagues & proteges of Herbert Huncke, Diane di Prima, Ray & Bonnie Bremser et al. An important Whalen collectible. In very good condition, considering its long ownership & use by Erin, who was a tried-&-true Beat-Bohemian to the end. Moderate to heavy rubbing and spotting on the front and back covers, with some wear on the spine. Interior is very fine with only a few small stains on the inside front and back covers. Very Good. [Item #4989]

Price: $15.00