Various (Watten, Barrett (Editor); Hejinian, Lyn (Editor); Armantrout, Rae; Davis, Lydia; Mac Low, Jackson et al.)

Poetics Journal No. 3 (Poetry & Philosophy, May 1983)

Berkeley, CA: Poetics Journal, 1983. First Edition. Softcover. “An inquiry into the differences between philosophical and literary writing practices is of value insofar as it can shed light on both the nature of philosophy and poetry and, more importantly, on the development and implications of such genre or professional distinctions within writing and thinking. For what makes poetry poetry and philosophy philosophy is largely a tradition of thinking and writing, a social matrix of publications, professional associations, audience; more, indeed, facts of history and social convention than intrinsic necessities of the “medium” or “idea” of either one. So such an inquiry will end up being into the social meaning of specific modes of discourse, a topic that is both a stylistic resource for the writing of poetry and a content for philosophy…”--Charles Bernstein, “Writing and Method,” pg. 6. Offered today is the third number in the legendary avant-garde poetry magazine, Poetics Journal No. 3, May 1983. Edited by Language poets Lyn Hejinian (1941-2024) & Barrett Watten (b. 1948), Poetics Journal was not only influential in establishing many Language poets and their works, but also illuminated other sections of the literary avant-garde that were based in the San Francisco/Bay/Los Angeles areas. Poetics Journal No. 3 features: “On Explanation: Art and the Language of “Art-Language”” by editor and eminent Language poet, Barrett Watten; the above quoted “Writing and Method” by Charles Bernstein (b. 1950), prominent Language poet; “Poetry, Philosophy, and Difference” by Allen Fisher (b. 1944), poet, painter and publisher; “Philosophy & Poetry: A Note” by David Bromige (1933-2009), Language poet, and writer; “Silence” by Rae Armantrout (b. 1947), Language poet; “Beginning at “Bottom”” by Erica Hunt (b. 1955), essayist, teacher and Language poet; “Composition as Action” by Ron Silliman (b. 1946), Language poet, and writer; “Rodefer’s “Lectures”” by Jed Rasula; and “Coolidge’s “Mine”” by Lydia Davis (b. 1947), short story writer, novelist, and poet, among many other great contributions! From the collection of the aforementioned Barrett Watten, professor of Creative Writing at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan & foundational member of the Language Poets Movement, with whom we’re honored to be acquainted. Trade-format softcover. First & presumably only printing. In very fine condition with minor wear to fine edges, and slight smudging to front and back covers. Very Fine. [Item #9287]

Price: $50.00 save 10% $45.00