Crozier, Andrew

The Veil Poem

Providence, RI: Burning Deck, 1974. Limited First Edition. Stapled Wrappers. "What hides in darkness and what truths/ it veils. Which side of these doors am I?/ This arch might be the sky that bends over us/ beneath which is our home, it is a wall/ and outer skin beyond which we expire/ like the breeze at evening. Let the wall be outside/ for a change, my mind strangely free/ amid this darkness. It has placed me/ within these doors, they can have no secrets/ from me any more. Though my judgement may falter/ my feet are firmly placed and I can/ walk with certainty, the cuts on my forehead will/ heal easily, leaving no scars." (Part 2, unpaginated) A stately, evocative poem in nine parts (preceded by a preamble & followed by a coda) by Andrew Crozier (1943-2008), a major exponent of the modernist-inspired British Poetry Revival movement of the late 1960s-early 1970s. Chapbook in stapled wrappers with loose flapped over-wrap, a beautiful letterpress production. One of an edition of 300 copies hand-numbered at colophon, this is copy No. 48/300. From the collection of our honored friend & mentor Albert Glover (1942-2026), an esteemed American poet, scholar, editor & academician who was the foremost living authority on Charles Olson (1910-1970), the Great Black Mountain-&-Beyond Poet's Poet who is our favorite Maximus Obscurantist. Glover was a student of & anointed by the Maximus Master himself at SUNY Buffalo during the 1960s, & had ever since outstandingly carried the Olsonian torch as bibliographer, editor & publisher. We have just been informed of Glover's passing during February of 2026, & extend our heartfelt condolences to his family. Olson was of course among the poets who influenced & inspired Crozier & BPR-Co. An essential, rich & rewarding Crozier collectible in its singularly rarest contemporary form; with most-distinguished & relevant provenance. In relatively quite very fine condition with only slight rubbing, faint scratching & mild fading (the latter esp. at edges & corners) to front, back covers & spine of loose over-wrap; a touch of wear & a few tiny bumps, creases at/from edges & corners of same & flaps; interior incl. inner stapled covers very fine with only tiny bumps at corners of covers & a few page leaves, otherwise appearing substantially mint. Very Fine. [Item #8717]

Price: $50.00