Chin, Marilyn

The Phoenix Gone, The Terrace Empty: Poems

ISBN: 0915943875
Minneapolis, MN: Milkweed Editions, 1994. First Edition, First Printing. Softcover. "Who in the netherworld walks on my soles | as I walk?" (The Phoenix Gone, The Terrace Empty, pg. 46). Since Milkweed Editions’ publication of The Phoenix Gone, the Terrace Empty, Chinese-American poet, writer & activist Marilyn Chin (b. 1955) has been widely celebrated as a consummate poet of the hybrid experience. At once ancient & contemporary, personal & political, grounded & yet uniquely dazzling, this extraordinary collection blends Asian & Western sensibilities in a pioneering way. Praised for its streetwise lyricism, this groundbreaking volume captures a young immigrant woman’s perspective as she encounters the nexus of tradition & commercialism in modern, diverse, and urban California. Chin parks the reader at the busy intersection of love, sex, family, and politics. This convergence makes for an astonishing conclusion in "A Portrait of the Nation, 1990-1991" (pgs. 92-97). This six-page poem includes sexual puns, remembrances of past lovers, praise for masturbation, remarks the judge made to her when she became a naturalized citizen, reminders of those denied citizenship, plus reflections on being in bed with a lover when the Persian Gulf war began. Featuring an afterword by the author addressing the collection’s effect and the developments in her work since. From the collection of Laurence Goldstein (1943-2023), poet, editor, and professor in the University of Michigan Department of English Language and Literature. Trade-Format Softcover Original: First Edition, first printing per copyright page & number sequence thereon. A most collectible Chin poetry tome in its rarest contemporary form with very distinguished provenance. In relatively fine-to-very fine condition with very mild rubbing, scratching & age-toning to front, back covers & spine; mild age-toning & rubbing to text block. Interior fine-to-very fine with very mild age-toning mostly to blank margins & fine edges of page leaves. Fine-Very Fine. [Item #8837]

Price: $25.00