Hirschman, Jack

Only Dreaming Sky: Poems

ISBN: 9781933149134
San Francisco, CA: Manic D Press, 2007. Softcover. “In this unique collection of new and selected work by San Francisco Poet Laureate Jack Hirschman, many facets of the award-winning poet are revealed. Even in his most ardent political pieces, Hirschman’s playfulness shines through (“New World Odor”). Known for his commitment to social justice, Hirschman often frames ordinary political movements with extraordinary clarity (“Folsom Prison Haiku”), gently guiding the reader to a new way of seeing. Also included are acerbic reflections on the fall of Communism (“Red-Baiter”), tender memorials for friends (“The Day Bobby Kaufman Died”), and lyrical love poems” (from Back Cover copy). As noted in the promo copy above, Only Dreaming Sky is an enormously well-assembled book of poetry by Jack Hirschman (1933-2021), who — at the time of its publication — was the sitting Poet Laureate of San Francisco. What makes this work different than other Hirschman collections is the ingenious manner in which it houses Hirschman’s political and erotic work next to his trenchant, cutting, and very Beat short poems, which receive far less attention (critically) than the other works. Take these lines, for example, from the poem “On Jazz.” “That's our / rhythm, our / time: / no ideo- / logy but the liberty / of sound / sense in the midst / of all these / things / and mega-things, these / plusses and surpluses / while by exploitation / we're subtracted, / divided, destroyed" (p. 56). Delights like these & more await in this alluring and accessible collection by Hirschman: a great pickup for those unfamiliar with the great Red poet’s oeuvre & those well-acquainted with his genius, alike. Trade-format softcover: First Edition, though not explicated as such on copyright page. From the archive of Thomas Rain Crowe, the legendary American poet and co-authorial founder of the Second San Francisco Renaissance. For more information on the Thomas Rain Crowe archive (assembled & curated by Third Mind Books), see our book Starting From San Francisco: Thomas Rain Crowe in Conversation with Third Mind Books (item #3071) & the catalog for the Crowe archive (see item #1010), which contains several excerpts and quotations from the book as well as a full listing of the archive’s contents, which are now being offered for sale individually on the Third Mind Books site. In very fine condition with only mild shelf-wear, light-to-moderate bumping, rubbing to fine-edges & corners of front, back covers & spine-edge; otherwise, clean. Very Fine. [Item #7607]

Price: $20.00