No Jerusalem but This: Poems

by Samuel Menashe

88pp. Very Good w/ a corner has a less-than-1/2inch tear, a 3/4inch tear on the bottom is repaired by tape. The Very Good+++.

Genres: Poetry

88 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1971

Reviews

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

Menashe’s first collection of poems emerges from the gate at full gallop. As I wrote in my review of New and Selected Poems, many of which appear here, he is the true heir of American Imagism. Probably a better representative than the Imagists themselves! My favorite here, which I don’t remember appearing in the other volume, is “Peaceful Purposes,” a rare political poem from Menashe that states its case with clarity and power:

Those flapping flags
That the wind cracks
Over the house
Like an attack
Might have been
Potato sacks
If dipped in
Another vat.

I’m trying to track down his complete poems, published a couple years ago by a small press, but it seems tough to find. Until then, I’ll enjoy reading his slim volumes checked out from my local academic library. He has shot to the top of my list of favorite poets.