I do like this collection of ‘old-school’ (is that OK?) concrete poetry: writing that delights in playful and meaningful exploration of individual words as well as phrases – and more. As Stephen Bann explains it in his back-cover blurb, ‘moves from spare one-word poems to expansive typographigal structures’. I am frankly dazzled by both poles, so the ascent of limbs engages as much as the ash washed ashore.
These aren’t poems to present/reveal here in a brief review as that’s all in the reader’s joy when turning actual pages (though there is a possible cheat and peek if you must on the book’s Timglaset page, link at the end). But what can be done with hearded and deepened and evening and those forward slashes is just so much fun.
And I’m going to admit, I thought there was a printing production error, but when I discovered and folded out that page…!
On the day I received ‘particulates’, a friend arrived at my house as we had some Coleridge business to attend to. Sitting outside, I couldn’t resist enthusiastically showing him some immediate favourites, he not a natural fan of the innovative/experimental, but I could see him being swayed to understanding and appreciating the goings on. It’s the kind of genuine delight I’d have with students, using these concrete gems if I was still teaching.
For more details and how to purchase, go here.
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