Various (Bertholf, Robert J. (Editor); Atwood, Margaret; Bowering, George; Coleman, Victor; Ondaatje, Michael et al.)

Credences: A Journal of Twentieth Century Poetry and Poetics, New Series, Vol. 2 No.s 2 & 3 (Fall/Winter 1983)

Buffalo, NY: Credences, 1983. First Edition. Softcover. “Your flesh moves under my fingers / and I remember flesh and fingers, as a child holding / the head of a flashlight cupped in my fist / in a dark room, seeing with such delight / the outlines of my own hand’s / lucent skeleton, swathed in the red glow / of the blood clouded within / and this is how I held / you: not as body, / as in planetary, / as in thing, bulk, object / but as a quickening, / a disturbance of the various / darknesses within my arms / like an eddy in the moonlit / lake where a fish moves unseen. / We rot inside, the doctor / said. To put a hand on another / is to touch death, / no doubt. Though there is also / this nebulous mist of interstellar / dust snagged by the gravity / of a few bones, mine, / but luminous: / even in the deep subarctic / of space beyond meaning, even among / the never alive, to approach / is to shine / I hold you as I hold / water, swimming.”--Margaret Atwood, “The Skeleton, Not as an Image of Death,” pg. 119. Offered today is the 1983 issue of the legendary literary journal, Credences: A Journal of Twentieth Century Poetry and Poetics Vol. 2, Fall/Winter 1983. Edited by Robert J. Bertholf (1940-2016) who was an author and professor at Kent State University and University at Buffalo. In 1968, Bertholf joined the English Department faculty at Kent State University in Kent, Ohio. Bertholf lead a cadre of young professors at the university, and was largely responsible for bringing an amazing troupe of poets and intellectuals as visiting professors or lecturers to Kent, including Allen Ginsberg (1926-1997), Robert Duncan (1919-1988), Robert Creeley (1926-2005), Joel Oppenheimer (1930-1988), Joanne Kyger (1934-2017) and Ed Dorn (1929-1999). In 1977 Bertholf founded Credences, a journal of contemporary poetry and poetics, which often featured works from incredible, iconic poets and writers. This issue features: five poems by George Bowering (b. 1935), Canadian poet, novelist, and historian; five poems by Margaret Atwood (b. 1939) Canadian novelist, poet, and literary critic known for masterpieces like The Handmaid's Tale (1985) and Cat’s Eye (1988); eight poems by Victor Coleman (b. 1944) famed Canadian poet; A Counting I and Imperfection: A Prophecy 1978-79 by bp nichol (1944-1988) Canadian poet, writer, sound poet, editor, creative writing teacher at York University in Toronto and grOnk/Ganglia Press publisher; and ten poems by Michael Ondaatje (b. 1943) Ceylon-born Canadian poet, fiction writer and essayist, among many other contributions! This particular issue was the product of a poetry festival in Canada, as the Editors “invitation” states: “The writers appearing in this issue of Credences all attended a Festival of Canadian Poetry held at the State University of New York at Buffalo 15-21 October 1980. The festival was sponsored by The Gray Chair of Poetry and Letters, Department of English, occupied by Robert Creeley, and the University. The gracious and particular interests of Robert L. Ketter, then President of The University, must be recognized. His generous assistance, along with the thoughtful aid of Brian Long, then of The Department of External Affairs of the Canadian government, made the Festival a great success. The writers, of course, caused the success. From the holding of Canadian writing in The Poetry/Rare Books Collection, it was obvious that there were a large number of poets in Canada publishing strong poetry. Fourteen poets came, though more were invited. So strenuous and accomplished is the contemporary Canadian writing that a different fourteen poets could have come and generated a different kind of excitement and interest. Intelligence of this order declares itself articulately. The readings, discussions, and lectures testified to that, and to the wholesome good will among the poets, and between the poets and the audiences. Though very serious about the writing and the determinations of its procedures, each allowed the various views an open presentation. The great vitality of Canadian writing is represented here.” From the collection of the aforementioned Albert Glover, the great American scholar, bibliographer, author & publisher who is the foremost living authority on literary giant Charles Olson (our favorite Maximus Obscurantist), with whom we're honored to be acquainted. Softcover. First & presumably only printing. In relatively very fine condition with minor wear to fine edges, moderate smudging/staining/scratching to front and back covers, and moderate discoloration due to age-toning throughout exterior and interior. Very Fine. [Item #8601]

Price: $40.00