The Face: A Novella In Verse - Softcover

St. John, David

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0060593679 ISBN 13: 9780060593674

Publisher: Harper Perennial, 2005

Synopsis

A haunting and inventive book length sequence of poems from the distinguished author of Study for the World's Body.

The Face is both fiercely lyrical and intimately conversational. Coming to terms with the failure of a great lo

About this title

About the Author

David St. John is the author of eleven collections of poetry (including Study for the World's Body, nominated for the National Book Award in poetry) as well as a volume of essays, interviews, and reviews titled Where the Angels Come Toward Us. A chancellor of the Academy of American Poets, he is University Professor and chair of the English Department at the University of Southern California, and lives in Venice Beach, California.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

The Face

A Novella in VerseBy David St John

Harper Perennial

Copyright © 2005 David St John
All right reserved.
ISBN: 9780060593674

Chapter One

I used to live there, but that wasBefore yesterday. Yesterday is so boring, don't you think?Even my black trench coat thinks so, & it's very sophisticated,Having once belonged to Dennis Hopper before I found itOn the used rack at Animal House. Ron the owner says, fingeringThe shiny ink of the lapels, "Dennis Hopper." "Cool," I say.So into the bright day I walk out like the night. "Face it,"Toni says when she sees me laterAt the sushi counter at Hama, "Dennis Hopper you're not." "OK," I say -"But the spicy tuna's terrific today." Which is why todayIs better than yesterday, don't you think? I said that to myself, notTo Toni or Ron or anybody. I said to myself, Yesterday is still so boring;

When I used to live there it was boring & even before yesterdayIt was boring - I mean, even before I knew it was boring,Before yesterday - & if I stillLived there I would probably think it was boring. But today ...Today, here with you standing right in front of me likeThe body of a shadow or like a shadow naked as a body,Like a woman dressed in a body nakedAs a shadow, like a shadow undressing before a mirror, like yesterday,Like a mirror with a shadow & a trench coat ... Well, here, today, asWe both undo the loose belts ofOur shadows, our trench coats, our bodies, here with you ...It's really never boring. Not today, no, & not even beforeyesterday.

Continues...

Excerpted from The Faceby David St John Copyright © 2005 by David St John. Excerpted by permission.
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Edition details

• Publisher: Harper Perennial
• Publication date: 2005
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0060593679
• ISBN 13: 9780060593674
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 80