Kenneth Patchen: An Art of Engagement

<BODY> <h2>Kenneth Patchen: An Art of Engagement</h2><br> Born in Niles, Ohio, in 1911, <B>Kenneth Patchen</B> kept a diary from the age of twelve, which started him on a life-long pursuit of writing. After marrying the love of his life, Miriam Oikemus, his first book of verse, <I>Before the Brave</I>, was published in 1936; thereafter he published over 40 books of poetry, prose and drama, which was quite an accomplishment considering for over thirty years he lived with a severe spinal ailment that caused him constant physical pain. Thanks to a fund set up by fellow poets, including <B>T. S. Eliot, William Carlos Williams</B>, and <B>E. E. Cummings</B>, Patchen regained his mobility for several years until an accident during another surgery left him almost completely bedridden. Despite this terrible setback, his love for experimenting in all forms of writing and multi-media kept him motivated and he created his most visually remarkable works during the last thirteen years of his life. This biographical profile brings Patchen's world alive and introduces viewers to many of the diverse and innovative forms of writing he pioneered, including the anti-novel, concrete poetry, poetry and jazz, painted books and picture poems. Produced by Larry Smith and Tom Koba. 07DR/CL JSCA 30 min. <A HREF="index.htm" target=_top>Home</a><br> </BODY>