About the Book
In this epic poem, Paul Nelson re-enacts the history of Auburn, Washington, originally known as the town of Slaughter. Written in the spirit of William Carlos Williams, Charles Olson, and Michael McClure, A Time Before Slaughter explores the history of this Northwestern place from the myths of Native people to the xenophobia toward Japanese-Americans, from the urge to control to the hunger for liberation. Set against the backdrop of a towering dormant volcano (Mt. Rainier), the beauty of the verse pays homage to the beauty of the place. "Here's one more big hunk of the American shoulder," said poet Michael McClure. "As Olson carved his from the North East, Nelson takes his from the Pacific North West. It's beautiful time-space in new words."

About the Author
Paul Everett Nelson is founder of the nonprofit Global Voices Radio and co-founder of the Northwest SPokenword LAB (SPLAB!). A radio broadcaster from 1980 to 2006, he has interviewed hundreds of authors, poets, activists, and whole-system theorists for a syndicated public affairs radio program. Nelson is past president of the Washington Poets Association. He lives in Seattle.

List Price

$12.95

ISBN

978-1-934074-42-8

Specs

Pbk, 156 pp., B&W 6 x 9 in Perfect Bound on Creme

Project Manager(s)

Robert Burns, ’08; Rich Gibson, ’08; Janet Reuter, ’08

Translation/Notes

“Here’s one more big hunk of the American shoulder, as Olson carved his from the North East, Nelson takes his from the Pacific North West. It’s beautiful time-space in new words.” Michael McClure Poet, Playwright, Essayist, Novelist, and Beat Generation Literary Figure “The poem will take you where the I-5 can’t go.” George Bowering Essayist, Novelist, and Canada’s First Parliamentary Poet Laureate “In the tradition of Charles Olson’s Maximus Poems or W.C. Williams’ Paterson, but uniquely {Nelson’s} own.” Sam Hamill Poet, Translator, Editor, and Founder of Copper Canyon Press “{This is a} book where neither poetry nor nature, nor life or history, are tamed; they are exalted...into an authentic work of art.” José Kozer Poet, Essayist