The Long 1950s

Exploring the realm of poetry created by amateurs, the book examines the tension between innovative art and a more traditional, technique-free style that remains protected from change. It seeks to uncover a hidden history of poetry that includes unheard voices and the unconscious elements of expression. The author questions the dominance of theoretical approaches in poetry, suggesting that a deeper, more instinctual pulse of style exists, often overshadowed by an elite group focused on recognition and theory.