Dorn, Edward

The Collected Poems 1956-1974

Berkeley, CA: Four Seasons Foundation, 1975. First Edition. Softcover. | "Great brass bell of austerity | and the ghosts of old picnickers | ambling under the box elder, when the sobriety | was the drunkeness, John" | (from the poem Sousa, pg. 22) A collection of poems by Edward Dorn (1929-1999), among the greatest of the Black Mountain School poets along with his contemporaries/mentors Robert Creeley (1926-2005), Robert Duncan (1919-1988) & Charles Olson (1910-1970). Dorn was not only one of America's finest poets but a rare critical intelligence and commentator. Charles Olson helped him to see the American West as a site for his quest for self-knowledge. At the core of his work is a deep sense of place and the people who occupy it, underpinned by a wry ironic dissent. Popular horror novelist Stephen King admired Dorn, describing his poetry as "talismans of perfect writing" and even naming the first novel of The Dark Tower series, "The Gunslinger," in honor of Dorn's poem. King also opened both the prologue and epilogue of "The Stand" with Dorn's line, "We need help, the Poet reckoned" (Gunslinger, 1968). This acclaimed collection showcases almost 20 years of poetry from Dorn's illustrious career, featuring the showstoppers "The Open Road" (pg. 17), "In My Youth I Was A Tireless Dancer" (pg. 75) and "There Are Others" (pg. 217). Nestled among over 100 poems, some illustrate his downtrodden upbringing ("On The Debt My Mother Owed To Sears Roebuck," pg. 46), others describe his love for the American West ("A Wild Blue, Yonder" pg. 129). You will discover several of the songs that Dorn penned during this time period, including the sexually charged "The Astronauts" (pgs. 91-92) and the melancholy ditty "We Shall Refrain From Them" (pgs. 144-145). A phenomenal find for any writer, poet, Black Mountain enthusiast or King completist. From the collection of scholar, poet and our dear friend Robin Eichele (b. 1941), noted Mimeograph Revolutionary & co-founder of the Detroit Artists' Workshop with the late, great John Sinclair (1941-2024). Trade-Format Softcover: first [softcover] edition, as stated at copyright page, first printing, though not specified thereon. In relatively good-near fine condition with mild rubbing, scratching to front, back covers & spine; small creases to bottom right cover and upper and bottom left of back covers. Slight age-toning and some tiny bumps to text block. Interior in relatively near fine condition with the very mildest of age-toning to blank inner cover & page leaves; tiny bumps at corners of a few leaves. Good-Near Fine. [Item #7494]

Price: $50.00