Owl's Head Translation Series

I've decided that, instead of publishing one big book of translations, I'll do small booklets for a while through my publishing company Owl's Head Press. The Lin Chu booklet is almost ready. Next on the list--probably by fall--is a selection of 10 translations of Federico Garcia Lorca. One of the great poets of the last century, he was executed by Franco's men. His body was never found. There was no need for his death. Interestingly enough, he lived during a time when poetry was considered dangerous. Today in North America we're in the Dark Ages of poetry, smothered by the academics and the New Formalists. And anyone who's read their poetry knows they're no threat to anyone.

What would Lorca have said? "We'll have to get down on our hands and knees and eat the grasses of the cemeteries forever."

The only ray of hope in this country is the strong, ctitical writing of Carmine Starnino. Whether you like what he says or not, he's at least willing to go out on a limb. I admire that a lot.