Still another pelican in the breadbox [the last works of Kenneth Patchen

Born in the Mahoning Valley of Northeastern Ohio in 1911, Kenneth Patchen rose from a town of soot and steel to st an d before the world. He is the author of over forty books of poetry, prose, an d drama, as well as the creator of innumerable silkscreen prints, paintings, an d drawings. He also pioneered the poetry-and-jazz movement, reading his works with noted musicians around the country, and making several recordings in that genre. The victim of a disabling back injury and botched operations, Patchen spent the last years of his life in a state of semi-paralysis, accompanied by fits of depression an d moments of un�bearable pain. He died on January 8, 1972. With the publication of this book, virtually all that Patchen wrote an d preserved has now been published. Included here are the unpublished poems written late in his life an d several pieces of substantial fiction from his "rambling" years in the early 30's, none of which were ever published. Several poems from Patchen's high school years an d two critical pieces complete the collection. Historical photographs an d manuscript samples are also included. In his introduction and chronology, Richard Morg an traces Patchen's literary career an d personal agonies. Kenneth Patchen's wife, Miriam, to whom he was married from 1934 until his death, contributes a foreword. "Included here are the unpublished poems, written late in [Patchen's] life and several pieces of substantial fiction from his 'rambling' years in the early 30's, none of which were ever published. Several poems from Patchen's high school years and two critical pieces complete the collection. Historical photographs and manuscript samples are also included"--Cover page. 4