We Meet

by Kenneth Patchen, Devendra Banhart (Preface)

The singular work of Kenneth Patchen has influenced poets, artists and political activists for decades. New Directions is proud to launch a Patchen revival beginning with omnibus editions of his unique compositions.


We Meet highlights Patchen's more outlandish side and includes, like fabrics stitched into a crazy quilt, Because It Is, A Letter to God, Poemscapes, Hurrah For Anything, and Aflame & Afun of Walking Faces. "Because to understand one must begin somewhere," opens Patchen's fabulous book of poems Because It Is: perhaps the most ideal reason for such a melting pot of poetry. Open any page at random and find Patchen protesting the Second World War (A Letter to God), or telling the tale of how hot water first came to be tracked onto bedroom floors (Aflame and Afun of Walking Faces), or informing the reader what happened when the nervous vine wouldn't twine (Because It Is), or why he loathes those who act as if a cherry were something they personally thought up (Hurrah For Anything), or answering what he wants out of life: "let's say—no matter" (Poemscapes).

Genres: Poetry

304 pages, Paperback

First published July 27, 2008

About the author

Kenneth Patchen was an American poet and novelist. He experimented with different forms of writing and incorporated painting, drawing, and jazz music into his works, which have been compared with those of William Blake and Walt Whitman. Patchen's biographer wrote that he "developed in his fabulous fables, love poems, and picture poems a deep yet modern mythology that conveys a sense of compassionate wonder amidst the world's violence." Along with his friend and peer Kenneth Rexroth, he was a central influence on the San Francisco Renaissance and the Beat Generation.

Reviews

[Nikki Wells · Rating 5 out of 5]

amazing really, & an introduction by Davendra Banhart to boot. also read Journal of Albion Moonlight by this author, one of my all~time favorite books. I could read Patchen all day and he will stick in my head for years. I always end up coming back to him at some point.

[είναι η θεία Κούλα · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kenneth Patchen saved my life.

[Ben · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great companion to another collection of Kenneth Patchen's poetry, The Walking-Away World, We Meet would be a 5-star review for me if not for the long prose poems of the last section, "Aflame and Afun of Walking Faces." The biggest standout in this collection are the sections "Poemscapes" and "A Letter to God", originally published in 1958.

In Judaism, there are two forms of praying, the routine type (Keva) and the form with intention (Kavanah). Kavanah often feels more honest and heartfelt and it is this type that I feel can best be found in Patchen's "A Letter to God." Virulently antiwar, Patchen has an honest conversation with God, challenging things like Original Sin and the Fall of Man ("Whatever your hidden motives were, there does seem to have been shown a tragic carelessness in the manner of the defilement. Something else surely could have been done with us - even at the final moment - even in the white hour of your agony when you regretted your lowly creation, might not some smallest vestige of mercy have been spared . . . ?"). Patchen in speaking with God, wrestles Him, and in so doing demonstrates that it is in humankind that we find God, and in humankind that we kill God, over and again.

Patchen's poetry is humanist in the deepest sense of the word, individualist while also tied to the collective good, absurdist and wonderful. Far ahead of his time, and having lived a difficult life on this Earth, his mark was left on a whole new generation, as well upon contemporaries. Admired by everyone from Charles Mingus, Henry Miller, Charlie Parker, Bob Dylan, Captain Beefheart, e.e. cummings, John Cage, Anais Nin, Lawrence Ferlinghetti, Allen Ginsberg and so many more, it is not so far a stretch of the imagination to say that the world of art and poetry might be very different today had Patchen not left his weird and wonderful mark.

[Peter Landau · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read WE MEET, a collection of poetry and drawings by Kenneth Patchen, in a daze. But that’s how I read everything. There are deep readers and then there’s me, the guy with his toe in the ocean saying, “I’m fine.”

Granted, it’s not the best way to read, and I’m not opposed to a greater understanding, it’s just that I find it opens me up to more things when I take them at face value. I’m trusting. But eventually actions will prove out over words.

I think I’m getting away from this review and moving too much into myself. Sorry, I’m just comfortable there.

Anyway, where was I? (It’s a good question to ask periodically.) Oh, yes, Patchen.

I really love his ink drawings, which accompany almost every poem in the book. They’re weird and beautiful. I understand them on an intuitive level, which has always been the case for me and drawings.

The poems are a bit harder, hence the experiential approach. I just read them and let the words and sounds pour over me, like putting my toe in that ocean, but having turned my back to the water, getting hit by a wave.

It’s a gentle wave, though. Petchen reminds me of a Dr. Seuss for adults with his nonsense rhymes and stories. The surreal tales work fine on a surface read, but every now and then, I could see the creatures of the abyss lurking in the murky depths.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the books in this collection, especially 'Because it is'. A collection that brings together Patchen's poetry/artwork collages is long overdue, and while this one occasionally gives off a foul odor similar to that emitted by so many nonsensical poems of the 60s, it's worth remembering that Patchen wrote most of these poems in the 40s when 90% of the U.S. population thought that an A bomb dropped on a densely populated city was something to celebrate. His message was deeply necessary, and these poems are beautiful.

[Marcus · Rating 3 out of 5]

It may be that this doesn't strike and may strike later. But my initial response after one read (and little desire to re-read at the moment) is that it feels too insular. Or off. Or trying too hard. Or my mind is trying too hard. HA!

e.e. Cummings doesn't do it for me either. Maybe I will like it in 5 or 10 years. I do like a light touch so I should like K. Patchen. But K. Koch's comics and plays and poetry has the light touch that hits me right!! Ditto Whalen's visuals and poetry.

[Stephen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am really glad that New Directions did this with Patchen's harder to find works. I had come across half of the contents of this book in earlier editions, but I m never opposed to the reread. There is something really great about reading a book by one of your favorite authors that feels hot off the presses. It supports your idea that he is still so vitally relevant.

I am so enamored and in awe of these pieces. I have been greatly influenced by his works.

[Hokomoko · Rating 4 out of 5]

Remarkable little bits of poetry, essentially lyrics from songs I'd like to hear. I especially liked the Poemscapes. Patchen's playfulness clutters up and lends a dazzle to disarming insights and juxtapositions. I like the text of Devendra Banhart's and Pavement's songs for the same reason. Like most poetry books as exquisite (and as 'difficult')as this, I'll keep returning to it.

[Zack · Rating 5 out of 5]

http://www.examiner.com/books-in-denv...