Various (Watten, Barrett (Editor); Hejinian, Lyn (Editor); Perelman, Bob; Robinson, Kit et al.)

Poetics Journal No. 1 (January 1982)

Berkeley, CA: Poetics Journal, 1982. First Edition. Softcover. “...A work of literature is pure form; it is not a thing and not material, but a relation between materials. And like each and every relation, it is a relation of zero dimensionality. Consequently, the scope of the work, the arithmetic value of its numerator or denominator, is inconsequential: what matters is the relation between them. All works–whether humorous or tragic, universal or parochial–and all juxtapositions, whether of world to world or cat to rock, are equivalent. That is precisely why art is benign, self-contained, and unassuming. The history of literature moves forward along a broken, staccato line. If we line up all the literary saints canonized in Russia between the seventeenth and the twentieth century, the line that results will not enable us to trace the history of how literary forms developed. What Pushkin wrote about Derzhavin is not acute and not true…”--Viktor Shklovsky, “Plotless Literature,” pg. 3. Offered today is the inaugural number of the legendary avant-garde poetry magazine, Poetics Journal No. 1, January 1982. 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. 1 features: the above quoted “Plotless Literature” by Viktor Shklovsky (1893-1984), Russian and Soviet literary theorist, critic, writer, and pamphleteer; “Plotless Prose” by Bob Perelman (b. 1947), Language poet and surrealist; “Language and Politics Today” by David Plotke; “The Politics of Style” by editor and Language poet exemplar, Barrett Watten; “An American Opener” by co-editor and fellow Language poet Lyn Hejinian; “What Does This Do With You Reading?” by Jed Rasula; “Continuous Reframing” by George Lakoff (b. 1941), poet, philosopher, and linguist; and “Bob Cobbing’s Blade” by Kit Robinson (b. 1949), translator, writer, musician & Language 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 #9291]

Price: $50.00 save 10% $45.00