Harold Norse was an American writer, openly gay, who created a body of work using the American idiom of everyday language and images. One of the expatriate artists of the Beat generation, Norse was widely published and anthologized.
Like the work of John Fante, I found Harold Norse through Charles Bukowskis' praises of his influences. I think he said Harold Norse is one of the greatest living poets back in the seventies or early eighties. I just don't get it. Love John Fante though.