Coleman, Victor

From the Dark Wood

Toronto, Ontario, Canada: Underwhich, 1985. Limited First Edition. Stapled Wrappers. “Association lingers in the involuted synapse. / The ape can’t see a triangle from three dots. / It lingers. Fingers waving in the air. / the province of an illiterate primate. / A man stands in the garden of ruins / crab tree prunings littered about / But he had promised never to… / The tree? Ape in its deciduous movements / The bylaw says we can’t burn. / The ape waits for the connection / but the match never strikes. / Saw in one hand empty reaching in the other. / Show me how lined in his brow how to grasp / clutch the breath of trees no state contains.”--Victor Coleman, “The Consciousness of Bone.” Offered today is a great 1985 collection of poetry, From the Dark Wood: Poems 1977-1983 by Victor Coleman (b. 1944). Coleman is a Canadian poet and editor who is most recognized as being the major creative force behind the late 20th century boom in Canadian small press publishing. Coleman’s poetry is often seen as wildly experimental, proudly inaccessible, and delightfully sui generis. From the Dark Wood is, in classic Coleman fashion, a collection of vivid, raw, profane, and emotionally compelling poems draped in a patina of surrealism. One of Coleman’s finest, yet often forgotten about works, From the Dark Wood is a collection that any fan of Coleman or avant-garde poetry should own! From the collection of Albert Glover (b. 1942), the great American scholar, bibliographer, author & publisher who is the foremost living authority on literary (and literal) giant Charles Olson (our favorite Maximus Obscurantist), with whom we’re honored to be acquainted. Stapled wrappers. Limited first edition, One of 474 [of 500] copies stapled into printed stiff paper wrappers as stated at colophon. In very fine condition with only minor wear to fine edges, and light smudging/staining to front and back covers. Very Fine. [Item #8538]

Price: $30.00