Hirschman, Jack

The Xibalba Arcane

ISBN: 0963236342
Washington DC: Azul Editions, 1994. First Edition, First Printing. Softcover Original. "In The Xibalba Arcane Jack Hirshman takes us on a Mayan journey through the city of America and into the brutalized lives of its marginalized citizens. With compassion the poet urges us to bear witness: to open our eyes, not close them; to put our ears and our hearts to the ground before us; not be deaf and turn our backs; to feel, not be numb; to love and hope, not be cynical; to act, not be apathetic." (from back cover). The word Xibalba comes from the Mayan culture and is defined as "the underworld," also "the place of fear" or "the place of fright." Arcane is defined as "understood by few; mysterious or secret." Jack Hirschman (1933-2021) was a San Francisco poet, translator, and editor. His powerfully eloquent voice set the tone for political poetry in this country many years ago. Since leaving a teaching career in the 1960s, Hirschman took the free exchange of poetry and politics into the streets where he was, in the words of poet Luke Breit, "America's most important living poet." He is the author of numerous books of poetry, plus some 45 translations from a half a dozen languages, as well as the editor of anthologies and journals. The Xibalba Arcane presents poetry of and for the oppressed and culturally exploited. Hirschman was one of the key mentors to the poets of the Baby Beat Generation/ Second San Francisco Renaissance during the 1970s, as discussed at length by his protégé Thomas Rain Crowe, the noted poet & publisher who was at the center of the phenomenon, in our book Starting From San Francisco (Item No. 3071). With front cover art by Hirschman. Trade-format softcover original, first edition, first printing as indicated by number sequence at copyright page. On the title page, Hirschman has hand-written, signed & dated in black felt tip marker ink: For Tom, / Comradely / Best Wishes, / (signed) Jack / July 1994." "Tom" is of course Crowe. From the archive of Thomas Rain Crowe (b. 1949), the acclaimed American poet who was at the center of the Baby Beat Generation/ San Francisco Renaissance during the 1970s. The TRC archive was acquired, assembled & curated by Third Mind Books as a single item (see our item No. 1010), & its vast number of individual pieces are now being offered incrementally throughout this new year of 2025. The TRC archive collectively represents the entire legacy of the BBG/SSFR, & its critical collaborations-mentorships by the key figures of the original Beat Generation/ San Francisco Renaissance. See also Starting From San Francisco (item No. 3071), published by TMB, to obtain a thorough understanding of this important literary phenomenon from TRC himself. An exemplary, incendiary Hirschman collectible with important poet-to-poet provenance & association. In relatively fine-very fine condition with only mild rubbing, scratching & faint creasing to glossy front, back covers & spine; a bit of wear & a few tiny bumps at edges & corners of same; minute age-toning to text block. Interior very fine with only miniscule bumps at corners of a few page leaves. Fine-Very Fine. [Item #7615]

Price: $30.00