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Twitter, the world is strange and horrible right now.
I’m going to spend some time to share something that has brought me great delight. And it’s thanks to @The_PBS. Let me explain.
For some years I’ve been trying to find a poetry book that was published in 1972 in the US. /1
I’m going to spend some time to share something that has brought me great delight. And it’s thanks to @The_PBS. Let me explain.
For some years I’ve been trying to find a poetry book that was published in 1972 in the US. /1
When I say ‘trying to find’ it’s been a fairly desultory search: looking in every second-hand bookshop I come across, emailing this place and that, asking friends in America to keep an eye out.
When lockdown began, I emailed @The_PBS. They found me a copy. This week it arrived./2
When lockdown began, I emailed @The_PBS. They found me a copy. This week it arrived./2
Here’s the book. It’s by @TheRobinMorgan, American feminist, poet, activist and campaigner.
Look at the unapologetic cover. Red sans-serif font. Photograph of a Cretan goddess who is just expecting to be worshipped. /3 #UnexSpecialBook
Look at the unapologetic cover. Red sans-serif font. Photograph of a Cretan goddess who is just expecting to be worshipped. /3 #UnexSpecialBook
As you might have gathered if you’ve read #LostForWords, I love a second-hand book, and I love poetry. As you will know for sure if you have read #TheWomanInThePhotograph, I’m a #feminist who thinks there is work to be done.
So this book is pretty much heaven for me. /4
So this book is pretty much heaven for me. /4
First, I love how much this library wants you to know it’s a library book. /5
I love the bio on the back cover: the furious second-wave was of it. And look at the work ethic. @TheRobinMorgan working on poems, plays, AND radical feminist theory. Yes, sister, yes. /6
I love the way the blurb assumes that we, the readers, are intelligent and engaged, and don’t need to be talked down to. And I love the ambition, so baldly stated: ‘a declaration of war on all male-devised forms of expression that have gone before’. /7
I love the fact that the library record card is still there.
My guess is that C Wagner was writing a dissertation.
I’m sad that there were 30 years between one loan and the next.
And happy that the person who took it out in 2010 did so twice. /8
My guess is that C Wagner was writing a dissertation.
I’m sad that there were 30 years between one loan and the next.
And happy that the person who took it out in 2010 did so twice. /8
I love the list of places where the poetry has been published before. /9
But mostly, I love the poems.
Here’s the contents page, to give you a flavour. (Side note: the paper is lovely quality: thick, and full of body and crackle.)
This work itself is insightful, brutal, clear-sighted and breathtaking. Almost 50 years on - vivid and true.
Here’s the contents page, to give you a flavour. (Side note: the paper is lovely quality: thick, and full of body and crackle.)
This work itself is insightful, brutal, clear-sighted and breathtaking. Almost 50 years on - vivid and true.
Politeness, and copyright, mean I won’t share too much, but here’s a verse as an example of the poet’s exquisite touch: here are three lives, explained and recognisable in 9 lines. (This is from ‘Quotations From Charwoman Me’) /11
And the wit. This made me laugh out loud. /12
I was looking for this book for one poem.
I got something precious and important; I’m grateful to @TheRobinMorgan for writing it and to @The_PBS for finding it.
I’d love a tour of your unexpectedly special book. Use #UnexSpecialBook so I can find you, and stay well. /end
I got something precious and important; I’m grateful to @TheRobinMorgan for writing it and to @The_PBS for finding it.
I’d love a tour of your unexpectedly special book. Use #UnexSpecialBook so I can find you, and stay well. /end
