Parallel Movement of the Hands: Five Unfinished Longer Works

Parallel Movement of the Hands is a collection of five long, serial poems by John Ashbery left unfinished and will become part of his archive at Harvard University's Houghton Library. These poems are characteristic of the mature work of this American master, an adept of the glories of American speech.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 320 pages
Publication date: 24 June 2021
Publisher: Carcanet Press Ltd

Parallel Movement of the Hands is a collection of five long, serial poems (and prose poems) left unfinished by John Ashbery, which will be added to his archive at Harvard University's Houghton Library. As their editor Emily Skillings puts it, these abundant poems are characteristic of the mature work of this American master, an adept of the glories of American speech who is alert to its insinuating logics and its wild goose chases through popular culture and secret histories. In these poems, Carl Czerny rubs shoulders with the Hardy Boys, Robert Mapplethorpe, and Eadweard Muybridge, all of whom are integrated into Ashbery's generous, omnivorous forms.

The poet asks himself in The History of Photography, "How could I have had such a good idea?" So many good ideas, such a wealth of surprising points of departure.

The first poem in the collection, "The Skaters," opens with a description of a group of skaters on a frozen lake, their movements graceful and fluid. The poet then turns to consider the history of photography, noting that it has always been a tool for recording and preserving moments of beauty and tragedy. He reflects on the ways in which photography has changed over time, from the early daguerreotypes to the digital images of today, and how it has become an integral part of our lives.

In "The Photographer," the poet imagines himself as a photographer, traveling the world and capturing images of the natural world and human civilization. He reflects on the ethical implications of his work, wondering whether he is doing more harm than good by documenting the world around him. He also considers the role of the photographer in shaping public perception of the world, and how he can use his art to promote social change.

"The History of Photography" is a meditation on the power of art to capture and preserve moments of beauty and tragedy, and on the ethical implications of artistic expression. It is a testament to the enduring legacy of John Ashbery as a poet and a master of American speech.

Weight: 398g
Dimension: 135 x 215 x 30 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781800170933