Cancer In my Left Ball. Poems 1970-1972
West Glover, VT: Something Else Press, 1973. 1st Edition. Octavo, publisher's illustrated stiff paper wraps.
First edition poetry collection by underground artist John Giorno, inscribed to fellow poet and performance artist Max Blagg. Best known for his Dial-A-Poem project, Giorno was the king of creative collaboration, leaving behind a rich and extensive archive of work with fellow poets, artists, and musicians. This collection comprises poems written during a two-year period of the growth and removal of the his cancerous tumor: "The poems are a biopsy. The reality of cancer transformed into words. The cause of suffering in the American body, pictures of New York hells and heavens with cocksucking hunger-ghosts and elephants inside our loves." Inscribed on half title in pen: "MAX / EVERYONE GETS LIGHTER / John Giorno / July 1, '17." Cover illustrated with a portrait of Giorno by American-Irish artist Les Levine; book designed by publisher Dick Higgins. Rubbing and light soiling to wraps, sunning to spine, light browning to front free endpaper. Very good. Item #10778
$250.00