A.B. Spellman coming to L.A.

One of my favorite East Coast poets is coming to the West Coast next month. A.B. Spellman, whose last book, THE BEAUTIFUL DAYS, appeared many years ago with a preface by Frank O'Hara, has at long last brought out a new book, THINGS I MUST HAVE KNOWN (available from Coffee House Press). Here's a brief passage:

refuse this cold scripture of the commonplace

at your risk, tight little man, you gotta turn & turn

& turn again from those dismal arrivals

your nature insists upon & lighten up. this foaming

fake ebullience that you advertise doesn't sell &

you need a new hook.

Spellman was also the author of FOUR LIVES IN THE BE BOP BUSINESS. He will read at Cal State Los Angeles, as the poster indicates, on April 17 at 6:30. Be there for a timely new hook.