Various (Friedland, Helen (Editor); Bukowski, Charles; Locklin, gerald et al.)

Poetry/LA No. 18 (Spring/Summer 1989)

Los Angeles, CA: Poetry/LA, 1989. First Printing. Softcover. "when it gets at its worst, there is nothing to be/ done, it's almost to laugh, putting your clothes/ on again, going out, seeing faces, machines,/ streets, buildings, the unfurling of the/ world.// I act out motions, exchange monies, answer/ questions, ask few, as the hours toil on,/ following me, they are not always constantly/ terrible- at times I am stricken with a wild/ joy and I laugh, hardly knowing/ why./ perhaps the worst trick I have learned is to/ endure; I must learn to give way, that is not a/ suspicious thing." (Charles Bukowski, "Being There," first three stanzas, pg. 87) This vintage eighteenth number of the Los Angeles, California poetry journal edited by Helen Friedland (1916-2012) features five poems & prose-poems by Charles Bukowski (1920-1994), the great American cult favorite poet-denizen of the dive bar & the racetrack: "The Mole," "No More, No Less," the above-quoted life-loathing masterpiece "Being Here," "Scraped" & "Bee's 218th." (pgs. 84-89, Debritto, B1461, pg. 357). Also in this issue are contributions by Gerald Locklin (1941-2021), the noted poet & former editor of Chiron Review who was Buk's close friend & colleague; & many more Los Angeles-centered poets. Trade-format softcover, presumed first-&-only printing. Another rich & rewarding issue in this most-collectible LA-centric series, of special interest to the Bukowski devotee-completist. In relatively quite very fine condition with only a bit of rubbing, faint scratching to front, back covers & spine; very slight wear & some tiny bumps, creases at edges & corners of same. Interior very fine with only tiny bumps & small, faint creases at esp. lower corners of some page leaves. Very Fine. [Item #8635]

Price: $25.00