Kenneth Patchen | When We Were Here Together (1957, New Directions)​

Description

In 1957, Kenneth Patchen was at a creative zenith, having recently recovered from a successful spinal fusion surgery in 1955 that alleviated years of debilitating pain. This period of renewed vitality saw him actively engaging with the burgeoning San Francisco Renaissance, where he pioneered “jazz-poetry” performances—live readings accompanied by jazz musicians. His innovative fusion of spoken word and music influenced contemporaries and prefigured the Beat Generation’s explorations. That same year, Jack Kerouac’s On the Road was published (with Ginsberg’s Howl just one year before), marking a significant moment in American literature. Patchen’s When We Were Here Together, released by New Directions in 1957, encapsulates his experimental spirit and stands as a testament to his enduring impact on the literary avant-garde.

When We Were Here Together is a distinctive collection that melds Patchen’s poetic sensibilities with his visual artistry. The book comprises prose poems, dialogues, and whimsical narratives, each accompanied by his own illustrations, creating a rich tapestry of text and image. Themes of love, pacifism, and the absurd permeate the work, reflecting Patchen’s commitment to social commentary through art. This collection not only exemplifies his innovative approach to poetry but also solidifies his role as a forerunner in multimedia literary expression.

A singular blend of prose, whimsy, and quiet rebellion, this is Patchen at his most unguarded and alive — a book that asks to be read aloud and remembered.