McClure, Michael

Little Odes (January-March 1961)

New York, NY: Poets Press, 1968. Limited First Printing. Stapled Wrappers. Signed by Michael McClure. “THE SALMON IS A SWAN IN THE COLD WATER,” — a prototypically McClure-ean flourish, to be sure—and bursts of poesy of precisely this sort seem here everywhere found, enriching the work considerably. McClure’s trademark authorial enthusiasm works in concert with the concerns and aesthetic forces here at play, and the result is a deep-cut to be remembered—from that “great golden period” (to quote Gregory Corso) of the early 1960s. These inspired, early verses of McClure’s have gained for themselves a somewhat privileged perch among his oeuvre—ranking besides the Big Works like “Dark Brown” and other gemlike sleepers familiar to the initiated. Work by McClure of a similarly respectable vintage aside, McClure’s poems here are the poems of a man-beast; at turns “Beatifically declarative,” and…shall we say, erotically resplendent. Without stopping for so much as a breath, McClure almost surrealistically vacillates between divination and tantra—the magus-like celebrations of sex and carnality are here artfully voiced—no small feat in the world of poetry, as its real readers & writers well know. All in all, the shapeshifting McClure appears here in an earlier and most exciting form — it’s as if the First San Francisco Renaissance never ended. Chapbook in stapled wrappers: one of "150 copies…printed and published by [Diane di Prima's] Poets / Press, Hotel Albert, New York City.” This copy is additionally signed and numbered by the favored “Prince of San Francisco” at colophon. McClure’s exceptionally bold signature, in black pen ink, reads: “Michael McClure.” Limitation ever so slightly above McClure signature at center-middle reads: “93” (93/150). From the collection of Kevin Ring, publisher of Beat Scene magazine & other indispensable productions (many available here), & our good friend. In very fine condition with only minute shelf-wear & faint age-toning, rubbing to fine-edges of front, back covers. Very Fine. [Item #5164]

Price: $85.00 save 20% $68.00