Who Will Know Us.

San Francisco, CA Chronicle Books, 1990. Paperback First Edition Thus[1990]; First Printing indicated by a complete numerical sequence. First Edition Thus[1990]; First Printing indicated by a complete numerical sequence. Near Fine in Wraps: shows a faint crease near lower rear corner and an even fainter stress crease a little higher at the outside edge of the rear panel; else flawless; the binding is square and secure; the text is clean. Free of creases to the backstrip. Free of creased or dog-eared pages in the text. Free of underlining, hi-lighting, notations, or marginalia. Free of any ownership names, dates, addresses, notations, inscriptions, stamps, plates, or labels. A handsome nearly-new copy, structurally sound and tightly bound; showing a couple of unobtrusive flaws. Bright and clean. Corners sharp. Very close to 'As New'. NOT a Remainder, Book-Club, or Ex-Library. 8vo. (9.25 x 5.65 x 0.25 inches). 69 pages. Original illustrated glossy paperwraps. Trade Paperback. In this, his fifth collection, Soto's voice is heartfelt, rooted strongly by a sense of place. The place is California: "Home is west,/ Further than the river/ Will reach, or clouds." Even the titles of these poems hint at their earthiness: "Provisions," "House, Street, Old Man," "Friday Night Fish." In them Soto celebrates memory and everyday life: "Dust is a faint aura of loss." Their metaphors are like magnets pulling you in: "Her hands like doves/ On the encyclopedia, E-G." Conversational in tone, not academic in the least, these poems will have wide appeal.