David Meltzer was a poet whose work bridged the Beat Generation and the San Francisco Renaissance. A pioneer of jazz poetry readings, Meltzer's output explored the intersection of language, music, and spirituality. His innovative approach to verse often delved into themes of identity and lived experience, pushing the boundaries of poetic expression. Beyond his own writing, he significantly contributed to literary culture through editing numerous anthologies and teaching, fostering a vibrant poetic community.
This counter-cultural collection of American verse fits in Robert Lowell's famous definition of the raw in American poetry. Contributors include: Olson; Duncan; Creeley; Guest; Ashbery; Ginsberg; Kerouac; Levertov; O'Hara; Snyder; and Schuyler.
Shares examples of death folklore, rituals, and customs from around the world, and includes laments, dirges, chants, haiku, songs, and legends