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Awash with Roses: Collected Love Poems of Kenneth Patchen
Poetry. Available again in a revised reissue, AWASH WITH ROSES, Patchen's classic collection of 100 love poems, includes a biographical introduction of Kenneth and Miriam Patchen by the writer's biographer Larry Smith. Kenneth Patchen wrote fiction and poetry, did poetry-poems, poetry-jazz, and poems-and-drawings. He was a key figure in the Greenwich Village scene of the 1930's and 1940's, then active in the pre-Beat period of the West Coast. His love poems are lasting testimonies of devotion to his loved one and to the world.
- GenresPoetry
180 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1991
67 people want to read
About the author
Kenneth Patchen
170 books127 followersKenneth Patchen was an American poet and novelist. He experimented with different forms of writing and incorporated painting, drawing, and jazz music into his works, which have been compared with those of William Blake and Walt Whitman. Patchen's biographer wrote that he "developed in his fabulous fables, love poems, and picture poems a deep yet modern mythology that conveys a sense of compassionate wonder amidst the world's violence." Along with his friend and peer Kenneth Rexroth, he was a central influence on the San Francisco Renaissance and the Beat Generation.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
July 22, 2018
I’ve been reading Kenneth Patchen since I discovered him by accident in high school, walking through my town’s college library.
I’d never experienced the language nor how purposeful was his word choice.
The language used takes a photo from everyday items, images and emotions and makes them significant, even in their simplicity.
It’s the case of “More might MEAN Less and LESS night MEAN More” philosophy.
Perhaps I’d come closest to seeing and feeling similar emotive flow in EE Cummings’ work, though Patchen struck a chord far deeper. I prefer his word choices.
What sets this book apart from any other isn’t his poetry. It’s the fascinating history that surrounds the Patchen marriage and union of Miriam and Kenneth.
It’s the history of community, love, devotion and dedication to the work of art.
It’s the story and struggle of their lives.
It’s Dennis Johnson saying, “...I’ll tell you the story of my life... you’ll make a million...”
-unfortunately, the Patchens lived before those tv and book deals were made.
There is art, though. There is poetry.
However, with Kenneth Patchen the art would have been meaningless without Miriam, since he created for her and because of her.
Since the book is about love poetry, a reader should expect to find such history.
However, a novice reader would not expect and might overlook the vital importance of Kenneth and Miriam Patchen’s influence upon the artistic, music, linguistic and academic community throughput the 1920’s-1960’s.
Larry Smith, who wrote the introduction, did a good job detailing the unpredictable and oft times unstable political and cultural climate that set the Patchen’s apart from some of their contemporaries, patrons, friends, and acquaintances.
Their youthful idealism of true pacifism, which brought them and kept them together and is seen vividly throughout Patchen’s work, was never surrendered or compromised, though the couple lost friends, income, shelter and all stability throughout most of their lives because of their steadfast ideals and integrity.
The history contained within the introduction is vital . Understanding Patchen’s artistic work is half the fun.... now that I’m a bit older, it’s not boring to read about what happened in the last century.
Actually, I find it quite necessary. I never would have understood the TRUE meaning behind many of his poems.
Patchen’s ancestry is essential if a reader wants to understand thoroughly his poetry-and to some extent, his identity.
The artistic culture of the early 20th century is truly amazing.
Reading Patchen in high school I often thought he was a precursor to the Beatnik Generation.
I was off the mark, yet I wasn’t that far off.
Reading the history of the poet and artist, it is no wonder I believed this, as most young and upcoming poets looked up to the Patchens with a great deal of awe and respect. They were a role model to some. Every poet had heard of the couple.
It is fascinating to realize exactly how small, close with familiarity and influential was the 20th century artistic community.
This book is most certainly an essential read if one enjoys the poets of the 20th century.
The introduction is just as important as the fabulous poems held within.
I’d never experienced the language nor how purposeful was his word choice.
The language used takes a photo from everyday items, images and emotions and makes them significant, even in their simplicity.
It’s the case of “More might MEAN Less and LESS night MEAN More” philosophy.
Perhaps I’d come closest to seeing and feeling similar emotive flow in EE Cummings’ work, though Patchen struck a chord far deeper. I prefer his word choices.
What sets this book apart from any other isn’t his poetry. It’s the fascinating history that surrounds the Patchen marriage and union of Miriam and Kenneth.
It’s the history of community, love, devotion and dedication to the work of art.
It’s the story and struggle of their lives.
It’s Dennis Johnson saying, “...I’ll tell you the story of my life... you’ll make a million...”
-unfortunately, the Patchens lived before those tv and book deals were made.
There is art, though. There is poetry.
However, with Kenneth Patchen the art would have been meaningless without Miriam, since he created for her and because of her.
Since the book is about love poetry, a reader should expect to find such history.
However, a novice reader would not expect and might overlook the vital importance of Kenneth and Miriam Patchen’s influence upon the artistic, music, linguistic and academic community throughput the 1920’s-1960’s.
Larry Smith, who wrote the introduction, did a good job detailing the unpredictable and oft times unstable political and cultural climate that set the Patchen’s apart from some of their contemporaries, patrons, friends, and acquaintances.
Their youthful idealism of true pacifism, which brought them and kept them together and is seen vividly throughout Patchen’s work, was never surrendered or compromised, though the couple lost friends, income, shelter and all stability throughout most of their lives because of their steadfast ideals and integrity.
The history contained within the introduction is vital . Understanding Patchen’s artistic work is half the fun.... now that I’m a bit older, it’s not boring to read about what happened in the last century.
Actually, I find it quite necessary. I never would have understood the TRUE meaning behind many of his poems.
Patchen’s ancestry is essential if a reader wants to understand thoroughly his poetry-and to some extent, his identity.
The artistic culture of the early 20th century is truly amazing.
Reading Patchen in high school I often thought he was a precursor to the Beatnik Generation.
I was off the mark, yet I wasn’t that far off.
Reading the history of the poet and artist, it is no wonder I believed this, as most young and upcoming poets looked up to the Patchens with a great deal of awe and respect. They were a role model to some. Every poet had heard of the couple.
It is fascinating to realize exactly how small, close with familiarity and influential was the 20th century artistic community.
This book is most certainly an essential read if one enjoys the poets of the 20th century.
The introduction is just as important as the fabulous poems held within.
Read
November 28, 2022Scrift
June 26, 2008
This is a biographical Introduction to the love poems of Kenneth Patchen and about his love affair with his wife Miriam, whom he dedicated every book. It is written with comments by Miriam, Kenneth and others about him, his poetry and politics, his life as an artist and concludes with some of his undying love poems. I often compare their story with Wings of Desire.
February 10, 2011
Watch for this one coming out in a re-issue this month. He's one of the best love poets in America, and the book includes my biographical story of the life of Kenneth and Miriam Patchen.
to-read-maybe
November 25, 2017Not available from library
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews