The Salt Ecstasies: Poems (Graywolf Poetry Re/View) [Paperback]

James L. White (Author), Mark Doty (Introduction)

Book Description

Series: Graywolf Poetry Re/View | Publication Date: June 22, 2010

The powerful and influential last poems of an unsung master, now again available, with a new introduction by National Book Award winner Mark Doty

James L. White’s The Salt Ecstasies—originally published in 1982, shortly after White’s untimely death—has earned a reputation for its artful and explicit expression of love and desire. In this new edition, with an introduction by Mark Doty and previously unpublished works by White, his invaluable poetry is again available—clear, passionate, and hard-earned.

The Salt Ecstasies is a new book in the Graywolf Poetry Re/View Series, edited by Doty, dedicated to bringing essential books of contemporary American poetry back into print.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“White’s was a crucial voice to encounter, for what it confirmed as possible—longing, homosexual longing, the expression of that longing in a poem. I think it’s arguable that Dante’s Inferno is better literature, but Dante couldn’t have given me what White did.” —CARL PHILLIPS, from Coin of the Realm: Essays on the Life and Art of Poetry

About the Author

James L. White was born in 1936. He was the author of four poetry collections. He lived for many years in Minneapolis, until his death in 1981.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: Graywolf Press (June 22, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1555975615
• ISBN-13: 978-1555975616
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 5.8 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #806,562 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A fine collection for any hardcore poetry lover, August 9, 2010

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Salt Ecstasies: Poems (Graywolf Poetry Re/View) (Paperback)

Some people change the direction of American poetry, even if they fail to get the credit they deserve. "The Salt Ecstasies" is a collection of poetry from James L. White, an individual regarded by many poetic critics as an unsung hero of poetry. With insight into his work, "The Salt Ecstasies" is a fine collection for any hardcore poetry lover. "The Clay Dancer": You are buried in so many places/like the scattering of diseased ivory./The infamous motels of quick nights,/the way you like it and do it best.//The morning star says you didn;'t sleep well into spring/and finally gave everything away on blue paper/like the hunter's bow and ashes.//He wakes, touches himself there, looks/at the skin magazine and can't sleep.