Beagle, Donald

Driving into the Dreamtime with: Ephemera

ISBN: 9781618460882
Winston-Salem, NC: Wake Forest University / Library Partners Press, 2020. First Edition. Softcover; Folded Single Sheets. Signed by Donald Beagle to Laurence Goldstein, with: [1] a typed letter from Goldstein to Beagle, most likely a retained copy; and [2] a typed return letter from Beagle to Goldstein, with Beagle's signature below his typed name. “We drive four hours to the path of totality, to this Fort offshore / from Charleston, where history washes up the wreckage of our wars / with our worst selves; barrier islands where our slave arks / docked to offload cargo-holds of cruelty” (from “On Driving to the Solar Eclipse with My Granddaughter,” p. 3) A book of poems by Donald Beagle, a skillful poet and distinguished Professor Emeritus at North Carolina’s Belmont Abbey College. Before attaining the title of Professor Emeritus, Beagle served as Director of Library Services at Belmont Abbey College, curating an important Catholic archive (the “Abraham J. Ryan Archive,” of which we know nothing). As a Catholic archivist and scholar of the faith, Beagle’s articles have appeared in journals such as Catholic Library World, Journal of Academic Librarianship, and Libri: International Library Review. The version of Beagle we get here, however, is very different than the one his resume might suggest. Here, Beagle is a Pure Poet: in possession of a grace and surety with respect to his maintenance of the poetic line that beckons applause. While he was unknown to us here at TMB prior to our curation of this volume, we’re happy to have encountered him. For those curious but hesitant, consider the following endorsement of Beagle’s verse, which comes from none other than the great American poet, W.S. Merwin (1927-2019): “These are poems in continual motion,” writes Merwin of Driving Into the Dreamtime, “orbiting a mysterious point where emotion, intuition, and perception converge.” Take it from Merwin & dig on this! From the collection of Laurence Goldstein (1943-2023), a renowned American author, poet, film critic, editor & academician here at the University of Michigan. Trade-format softcover original: “FIRST EDITION,” as indicated on copyright page; presumed first printing, with no reference to previous editions or printings, thereon. This copy is additionally signed & inscribed by Beagle to Goldstein on the work’s title page. Beagle’s signature, in thin, black pen ink, reads: “Donald Beagle / Larry — / Best regards for 2020 — / [illegible abbreviation].” This listing is further endowed by the presence of a suite of ephemera relating to both Goldstein and Beagle. The first part of this suite consists of a 2-page letter (of November 30, 1999), composed by Goldstein on Michigan Quarterly Review letterhead, in which the former managing editor of the mighty MQR discusses Beagle's poetry in detail. The second piece of ephemera is a typed, signed letter composed by Beagle on December 2, 1998 & addressed to Goldstein. In it, he thanks Goldstein for a lengthy and attentive review, and compliments poems composed by Goldstein that Laurence evidently had sent to Beagle around this time. These additions splendidly enrich this listing, attesting, as they do to the necessity of vitalizing correspondence between poets and editors: a literary tradition sadly neglected (for the most part) with respect to contemporary literature in America. In strong fine condition with only minute-to-moderate shelf-wear, rubbing, and some light bumping to fine-edges & corners of front, back covers & spine-edge. Ephemera also in strong fine condition, with Goldstein’s 2 pp. letter to Beagle folded gently in half, at center; & Beagle’s response letter to Goldstein folded in thirds, ‘as issued’ by the poets (to each other, through the mail). A worthwhile read, and unique MQR-related collectible. Fine. [Item #8251]

Price: $40.00