Dancing on the Grave of a Son of a Bitch: the Complete Motorcycle Betrayal Poems

Boston: Black Sparrow Pres, 2022. Uncorrected Bound Proof. Small quarto in black wraps; xxiv, 189 pages; 24 cm Very fine; as new. Paperback.

"In 1971, Diane Wakoski published The Motorcycle Betrayal Poems to tremendous acclaim when she was just thirty-three years old. In the decades that followed, she wrote additional "betrayal" poems, which are now collected here in one volume for the first time. Relevant, moving--at times shocking--it is Wakoski's honesty and bravery as an artist that continues to astonish, delight, inspire, and liberate readers. Wakoski responds to betrayal in a variety of ways including fantasies such as drilling bullet holes into the bodies of unfaithful lovers. But even her anger can be winking, as in the book's sly dedication to "all those men who betrayed me at one time or another, in hopes they will fall off their motorcycles and break their necks." There is joy here because it is self-knowledge that the writer seeks, as in the collection's title poem. Diane Wakoski's art as a confessional, storytelling poet has rarely been equaled. Her revelations become shared emotional truth with readers. The collection's new introduction by poet and Green Mountains Review editor Elizabeth Powell gives context to the long wake of Wakoski's inspiring influence on generations of readers. Dancing on the Grave of a Son of a Bitch is for anyone who ever lost a love and wishes to embrace the freedom, rather than the pain, it can bring." —Publisher // Poetry. American poetry -- 20th century. Conduct of life -- Poetry. Poetry as Topic Poésie. Poésie américaine -- 20e siècle. Morale pratique -- Poésie. poetry. Genre/Form: Poetry poetry. Poetry. Poésie. Note(s): Poems. Class Descriptors: Dewey: 811.54 Other Titles: Complete motorcycle betrayal poems