Poetry. "Only a feminist could have seen the point at which the form of the journal and the tradition of the American longpoem meet. Infusing each with the critical introspection of psychoanalysis, this first volume of A READING challenges every myth surrounding Literature. Its shape that of one life intensely witnessed, A READING proves that poetry can still be an act of extraordinary courage, intellectual honesty, and commitment to humankind" -Ron Silliman.

About the author: Beverly Dahlen is a native of Portland, Oregon, Beverly Dahlen has lived in San Francisco for many years. Her first book, Out of the Third, was published by Momo's Press in 1974. Two chapbooks, A Letter at Easter (Effie's Press, 1976) and The Egyptian Poems (Hipparchia Press, 1983) were followed by the publication of the first volume of A Reading in 1985 (A Reading 1-7, Momo's Press). Since then, three more volumes of A Reading have appeared. Chax Press published A Reading 8-10 (1992); Potes and Poets Press: A Reading 11-17 (1989); Instance Press: A Reading 18-20 (2006). Chax Press also published the chapbook A-reading Spicer & Eighteen Sonnets in 2004. Ms. Dahlen has also published work in numerous periodicals and anthologies. A forthcoming issue of Crayon will publish poetry and her essay on beauty.