West, Austin — I Am the Sea

Bridgton, ME, Self Published. First Edition. Wraps. Illustrated blue wraps. Rear interior wrap with a photo of the author. (40 pp). With a few small inset illustrations. SIGNED, with a brief dedication, by the author, on the inside rear cover. Handwritten '1st edition' at the same locale, perhaps done by the author. A collection of poetry mostly reflecting on life at and near the sea, drawing on personal experiences, and using mostly a pastoral form to portray his imagery. One poem, 'From the Thresher,' perhaps draws on his experience serving aboard the Robert Conrad in search of the lost submarine. Austin West, born in Haverhill, Massachusetts, was a self-taught poet, who used his time spent as a lumberjack, sailor, fisherman, deep sea diver and other occupations to inform his writing. GOOD condition. Moderate uneven soiling to the wraps, with browning, uneven darkening and fading present, especially to the extremities. Heavy creasing along the extremities. Interior clean and solid. Good .