Shelf
Book description
Poetry. In this poem, Rufo Quintavalle has rewritten Walt Whitman's Song of Myself keeping the first and last letter of each line, and replacing the middle. Within this strict constraint, Quintavalle the poet has achieved a remarkable and touching intimacy at a distance with Whitman's inner world.
- Coming soon!
Why read it?
1 author picked Shelf as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?
A full-length rewrite of Walt Whitman’s “Song of Myself” that preserves only the first and last letter of each line, Shelf is a consummate work of potential literature—from the “why on earth would someone do that” all the way to the “wait, this is actually dope.” Without ever estranging himself from Whitman’s transcendentalist trumpeting, Quintavalle burrows deep into the poem’s form and instills a disenchanted eloquence all his own.
From Daniel's list on poetry from the outposts of potential literature.
Want books like Shelf?
Our community of 10,000+ authors has personally recommended 100 books like Shelf.
5 book lists we think you will like!
- The best experimental poetry from the outposts of potential literature
- The best poetry books to feed your distracted self
- The best contemporary poetry books revisiting music
- The best children’s books about dogs, poetry, and dogs in poetry
- The best books of poems for people who don’t usually read them
Interested in Walt Whitman, African Americans, and women?
10,000+ authors have recommended their favorite books and what they love about them. Browse their picks for the best books about Walt Whitman, African Americans, and women.