Woods and Chalices

Woods and Chalices

<DIV><DIV><DIV>Inspired by Rimbaud and Ashbery, the Slovenian poet Tomaž Šalamun is now inspiring the younger generation of American poets—and <I>Woods and Chalices </I>will secure his place in the ranks of influential, experimental twenty-first-century writers. Šalamun’s strengths are on display here: innocence and obscenity, closely allied; a great historical reach; and questions, commands, and statements of identity that challenge all norms and yet seem uncannily familiar and right— “I’m molasses, don’t forget that.”</DIV><DIV> </DIV><DIV><B><I>Coat of Arms </DIV><P></P><DIV></B>The wet sun stands on dark bricks. </DIV><DIV>Through the king’s mouth we see teeth. </DIV><DIV>He sews lips. The owl moves its head. </DIV><DIV>She’s tired, drowsy and black. </DIV><DIV>She doesn’t glow in gold like she’d have to. </DIV><P></P></I></DIV></DIV>