Poems Retrieved

Frank O'Hara had a very definite conception of poetry (read the wonderful essay "Personism: a manifesto" included at the end of his Collected Poems). As a result of his convictions he often wrote a poem and gave it away immediately to a friend, acquaintance - whomever he had written it for, or about, or who he felt should have it. This is all relevant becuase once his Collected Poems were published many people came forward with more of his poems that he had given them etc. (some of them on bar napkins - how wonderful!) These newly found poems are what comprise "Poems Retrieved." Frank O'Hara is truly one of the most important and wonderful poets of this (or any) century and I'm happy that his influence is coming back into vogue amongst good poets.