Falling Off the Map
 

Falling Off the Map is Ann McGovern's fourth chapbook. Pudding House Press is the publisher and I love their philosophy of publishing poetry. Here is an excerpt: "In buying this book,  you selected language arts that took as long to create as paintings or other fine art. Pudding House caters to those who understand the value of the poet's good work. We are in business to expand reputations rather than to assure profits for our press. Manuscripts are chosen on the basis of their contribution to literary arts and to the popular culture."

Please send your check for $10.00, including $2.00 for postage and handling to:

Ann McGovern,

30 East 62^nd Street

New York, NY 10065

And please let me know to whom you would like your copy (copies) inscribed.

Here are two poems from Falling Off the Map:
 
FOUR ELEMENTS

My tears
filled the Hudson River
when I was a child of five.

Poseidon surfaced,
asked, Where is the
Salt of the Sea Restaurant?

Dear sea god,
Please don't dry up.
Don't rise and flood.

When the wind blows,
will the cradle rock?

Wind, will you calm your fury?
Will  you spread earth's ire and fire?
Will earth still be on earth?

Who answered these questions,
when I was a child of five?
Who answers them now?

NO VEMBER

no telling me bar jokes
no buying us a double bathtub
no doing it on an airplane
no kisses where I'm fattest
no scuba diving to 125 feet
no feasting on pig in Papua
no playing Cuban music
to dance to, only for you
no deepening of deepest
seasons

I feel no gratitude to
whoever liked November
and put Thanksgiving at the
end of it