McClure, Michael

Selected Poems

New York, NY: New Directions Publishing, 1986. First Trade Softcover Edition. Softcover. Michael McClure (October 20, 1932 – May 4, 2020), as American poet, playwright, songwriter, and novelist was a powerhouse and Beat Generation monolith in his time. He was immortalized in thinly veiled fiction novels like The Dharma Bums (as one of the five poets at the San Francisco Six Gallery Reading in 1955), and as Pat McClear in Big Sur, both by Jack Kerouac. McClure’s grand, rhapsodic, and wholly naturalistic writing is presented in its most razor-sharp form in Selected Poems. This collection of poems is McClure’s hand-selected representation of his work, capturing his writing in an apotheosis-like chrysalis of form and clarity. With searing vision, abundant liveliness, and iridescent vivacity, Selected Poems is a compilation of works that should be, nay, must be owned, read, and cherished by any and all lovers of poetry. This particular copy is from the collection of Erin Black Matson, the artist & poet who along with her then-husband, the acclaimed poet-educator Clive Matson, was a member of the Beat Generation-morphing into the hippie counterculture in NYC during the 1960s. The Matsons were friends & protégé-collaborators in a circle that included Herbert Huncke, Bonnie Bremser et al. First Trade Softcover Edition, with no reference to other editions at copyright page. Book in strong near fine condition, moderate rubbing to front and back covers, scattered scratches to same, minor bumps to corners, slight spotting to text block. Near Fine. [Item #5000]

Price: $15.00