Argonaut Rose

The Archaeology of Movies and Books #4

by Diane Wakoski

Wakoski's autobiographical Argonautica employs the myth of quest to discover meaning in personal history. Here, following the successes of Medea the Sorceress (1991), Jason the Sailor (1993) and The Emerald City of Las Vegas (1995), this crowning volume in The Archaeology of Movies and Books returns to the epic journey of search and discovery. Retracing “all the footsteps I've left behind me,” the narrator remembers all the “Jasons” in her life -- absent fathers, irresistible lovers -- “those betrayers as I saw them, who left me, who left me; for how can we hate the person we want, so much, to love us?”
Here, sexuality as “the true voice / of the body, not its great deceiver” remains nonetheless the constant ground of deception and self-deceiving. Desire and betrayal, the gold of youth and the silver of age, intuition and wisdom intermingle in a rich thematic weave.

Genres: Poetry

184 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1997

About the author

Wakoski is an American poet who is primarily associated with the deep image poets such as Jerome Rothenberg, Robert Kelly, and Clayton Eshleman. Throughout her work she uses legends, myth and fairy tales to create a deeply personal mythology.

She is best known for a series of poems collectively known as "The Motorcycle Betrayal Poems."

Wakoski was given the William Carlos Williams Award for her "Emerald Ice: Selected Poetry 1962-1987."

Reviews

[J.C. Reilly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm clearly reading her "Archaeology of Movies and Books" series out of order. This is the fourth book in the series, and I liked it, but sometimes I think Wakoski over-treads ideas she's tread before. I find many lines throughout the book I like, but few whole poems I like (if you know what I mean).

[Shamanjules · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful collection of poems loaded with call backs and supported by a spine made out of Jason and the Argonauts. The speaker’s personal life clashes with myth and American movie culture. Really cool stuff.