The book is a record, but whose? Both an homage to the tradition of bookbinding and a critique of the historical canon, "a t - a - l o s s" explores the tension between presence and absence. The exposed nature of this concrete book poem confronts the reader with a missive, both printed and cut away.

With confrontation, there is opportunity. And with opportunity, a call to act. What could change if, instead, we started by centering the margins?

i’m no schol
ar these boo
ks show onl
y what’s bee
n forgotten

a t - a - l o s s, 15.5” x 21.5” x 4”, 2020, original poem letterpress printed on 130# Epic Black Classic Crest, davey board, faux leather, plexiglass.

Photos by Sean McDonald