Bomb.
Granary Books, 2000. Item #GB_76
ISBN: 9781887123327
8 x 10 in., 48 pp., smyth-sewn in wrappers.
Bomb is a meditation on a book of photographs that document the Manhattan Project, Los Alamos. The 30-page poem begins with epigraphs by Democritus, Gregory Corso, and André Breton/Paul Éluard before embarking upon its own project of lucid investigation via an elliptical glancing narration: “Put the bomb in a glass vase/add dust and forget.” Bomb is sharp, stark, rhythmic; Coolidge tangles with the dreamlike oddness of the photographs in fits and starts of language with an explosive beauty. Waldrop’s series of collages are literal reworkings of the original pictures: deep blacks and bright whites excavated from the book, remade here in the image of the poem.
Printed offset with two-color cover. Designed by Emily Y. Ho. This is from an edition of 1500 copies in wrappers, of which 26 are lettered and signed by the poet and artist. Regular edition out-of-print. Near fine.
Price: $20.00