WHITE SHROUD: POEMS 1980-1985 - LENGTHILY INSCRIBED TO DENISE LEVERTOV

New York: Harper & Row, Publishers, 1986. First Trade Edition. Ginsberg first met Denise Levertov in November of 1956. The first copies of Howl and Other Poems had just arrived at City Lights bookstore, and shortly after, Ginsberg and Gregory Corso hitchhiked down to Mexicali to meet up with Peter and Lafcadio Orlovsky. From there, they went to Guadalajara to see Levertov, where she lived with her husband and children. Ginsberg described her affectionately as "a pigtailed gap toothed busy crazy mother who mutually digs and knows William Carlos Williams and writes fine poems with ellipses and fine phrases too" (Morgan, I Celebrate Myself, p.227). He admired her work to the degree that he would recite her poems at readings, eventually reading with her in 1958 at NYU. Although they had gotten along, "Levertov was annoyed that the press had begun to link her with the beats when, in fact, she had little in common with them. Allen regretted that shew was upset by the beat label, but was also somewhat amused that she was so irritated" (ibid, p.285). At the invitation of Robert Creeley, Ginsberg was invited to participate in the 1963 Vancouver Poetry Conference, alongside Levertov, Charles Olson, Robert Duncan, and others. Beyond being deeply impressed with his company, the event provided a spiritual breakthrough for Ginsberg, who had begun to practice the Hari Krishna mantra at every opportunity. The conference became one of the first times that mantras were chanted by a group of non-Hindus in North America (ibid, p.377). A significant copy. Morgan A50.a1.1. First Printing, one of 10,000 copies. Octavo (24cm); red cloth, with titles stamped in gilt on spine and decorative elements embossed onto front cover; dustjacket; xiv,89,[7]pp. Inscribed by Ginsberg to poet Denise Levertov on the title page: "For Denise Levertov from Allen Ginsberg / Here's a report on the last years / White Shroud (p.47) narrative is O.K. & maybe also the dream of W.C.W. (p.59) + Chinese poems / New York City." Additionally inscribed to Levertov on the opposing page, above the drawing of a snake whose tail has transformed into a flower: "February 3, '87 / Bonne Chance! Apparently Gary Snyder and Robert Creeley were voted into the Academy Institute (with Robert Bly) - for whatever use that might be - next, Duncan!? / Allen Ginsberg." Front board very slightly splayed, else Fine in a Fine, unclipped dustjacket (priced $14.95).