Smaller than a broadside
tinier than anything I actually had to pay to get, in truth. But signed, it is, and by both men. One who might be wearing swim trunks, I would hope.
A single poem. Not a bad poem but hardly worth the effort in my estimation. But I didn't, they guys did and that is all I wish to say about that. Oh - it's Kirby Congdon (poet) and Ralph must have been the "artist" involved.
Roy Zarucchi
Albion, CA
(c)1990
I got this one because I had never heard of this poet before and doing some research prior to the arrival of the book gave me some insight. But, wait, Pygmy Forest Press...... that is Leonard Cirino's press. Oh, he passed in 2012. I did not know that. He and I had a feisty exchange of views concerning the Beat Generation. He blamed the Beats for his life (choices) as I remember it. And yet I am hearing traces of Kerouac in a few of the poems in this collection by Roy Zarucchi. His phraseology in a few of the poems are right out of the Kerouac language universe.
This collection is NOT a Beat generation infused chapbook, but it does hint at it. It's a cross section of the writings by this gentleman, a man who had a remarkable and interesting life. I learn of his background from the obit shown below:
Roy Zarucchi Obituary
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M - ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - Retired U.S. Air Force Maj. Roy Zarucchi passed away suddenly June 29, 2011, at his home. He was born June 9, 1939, in Oakland, Calif.
Roy retired after 20 years in the Air Force and taught college. During his distinguished career he was an Air Force commando, served in the Vietnam War and spent five years at the Pentagon. He graduated from St. Mary's College, Berkeley, Calif., and received a master's degree at Central Michigan University. In addition to being a skilled potter, he was a published poet. He and Carolyn were essayists with Maine Public Radio and joint published authors. Roy and Cal operated Nightshade Press and edited Potato Eyes Literary Arts Journal for 12 years. They left Albuquerque, N.M., to return to coastal Maine, but were pulled back to the climate and friendships they had made in New Mexico. His hobbies included swimming, gardening, throwing pots and European travel.
Michael Fallon
Self published
(c)2022
This is a very fine collection of poetry created during and entirely about the COVID 19 "plague" we are still recovering from today.
Inez N. Mcfee
F. A. Owen Publishing Company
Danville, N Y
(c)1909
This booklet was part of a series entitled Instructor Classic Series brought out by F. A. Owen in the early 20th century. It was conceived as an educational tool but it clearly (at 31 pages) is something I deem a chapbook. The inside last page of the booklet offers a listing of other booklets in the series.
Toby Olson & Mary Laird Hamady
Perishable Press Limited
Mount Horeb, Wisconsin
(c) 1976
Extremely small booklet. With awesome and uniquely "typical" cover for this press. 2 drawings in the booklet by Mary Laird Hamady. 4 poems by Toby Olson. Included in the book was this "flyer" for a reading with Clifford Burke. Beautiful item. Not cheap but worth having.
Shelley Puhak
Split Oak Press
2011 Stephen Dunn Poetry Chapbook Competition Winner.
(c)2011
Shelley Puhak won the competition in 2011. She has gone on to a more established literary career as is attested to on her website. Her website also do not list this book. Curiously enough, she it won and everything.
I understand that it was so 14 years ago but winning is winning, isn't it? I mean this wasn't a high school competition. Split Oak Press is a real Press, I have to assume.
I am being a bit snarky - I will admit. I am being snarky because this is a chapbook that is barely 32 pages thin (the publishers did some Jedi Mind Tricks with their layout to even achieve the 32 pages and most galling to me is that they slapped a perfect bound cover on this book which is so narrow that there was no room for the title of the book or the name of the author on the spine. A tiny sliver of nothing. Barely a color blip on the eye blink.
US Government
Washington, DC
(c)1990
This particular copy is stamped DO NOT REMOVE FROM MAIN LIBRARY - US DEPT JUSTICE (which is ironic in our current upheaval)
Handsome staple bound book featuring details and photos of the US Capitol, assembled with text by William Allen. I will be keeping this one, in case the next mob decides to do worse damage than what was done on Jan. 6, 2021.
St. Stephens and St. Agnes Middle School Literary Magazine
Alexandria, VA
(c) 1998
Oversized kids magazine of poetry and drawings. These kids are adults now.
