Tracking

by Nancy Steele

39 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1990

Reviews

[Peter Nelson-King · Rating 4 out of 5]

A native of North Carolina, Nancy Steele published her only book, Tracking, in 1977 while living and teaching in Missoula, MT, though some of the poems had appeared in a chapbook alongside work by Diane Ackerman and Jody Bolz. This lovingly designed limited edition, an early book from Port Townsend, WA's Copper Canyon Press, showcases Steele's dark, glimmering voice. Taking cue from the neo-Imagists of the 1960s and '70s, Steele's poems explore loss, grief, and the cold weathers of the West with great skill and an eye for arresting imagery. After publishing this collection Steele appears to have dropped off the map, and she remains a mystery to this day. A very strong collection and an obvious choice for admirers of 1970s American poetry, if you can find it.