Cid Corman

Cid Corman (1924-2004) was an American poet, translator, and literary magazine editor who became a significant figure in the post-war American poetry scene. He founded and edited the influential literary magazine Origin, which published works by notable poets including Robert Creeley, Charles Olson, and Gary Snyder. As a poet, Corman wrote in a distinctly minimalist style influenced by Japanese poetry forms and Buddhist philosophy. His work often explored themes of nature, human relationships, and spiritual contemplation through spare, precise language and careful attention to sound and rhythm. Living in Japan for much of his adult life, Corman became an important bridge between Japanese and American literary traditions. He translated classical Japanese poetry and contemporary works while operating a small English-language bookstore called CC's in Kyoto. Throughout his career, Corman published more than one hundred books of poetry, essays, and translations. His major works include Sun Rock Man (1962), Living Time (1970), and OF, his five-volume collection of poems published between 1990 and 2004.

Limited reader reviews exist online for Cid Corman's work, with most feedback coming from poetry enthusiasts and academics rather than general readers. Readers praise: - The accessibility of his shorter poems - His role in publishing other poets through Origin magazine - Clean, precise language without ornamentation - Focus on everyday moments and observations Common criticisms: - Some poems feel too sparse or minimal - Collections can be repetitive in style and theme - Work can come across as emotionally detached Ratings across platforms are sparse: Goodreads: Only 24 total ratings across all works - OF - 4.5/5 (8 ratings) - Sun Rock Man - 4.3/5 (6 ratings) - Nothing/Doing - 4.0/5 (5 ratings) Amazon: Few reviews, mostly from academics One Goodreads reviewer noted: "His poems strip away everything unnecessary to reveal simple truths." Another wrote: "Sometimes the minimalism leaves me wanting more substance."

The Famous Blue Aerogrammes - A collection of personal letters exchanged between Corman and other poets, primarily focusing on his time in Japan.

Sun Rock Man - Poetry collection exploring themes of nature, spirituality, and human relationships through minimalist verse.

And the Word - Series of experimental poems examining language, meaning, and communication.

Living Time - Collection of poems dealing with temporal existence and the passage of moments.

Of - Five-volume collection of selected poems spanning Corman's career from 1954 to 1978.

Word for Word - Essays and critical writings on poetry, translation, and literary theory.

Things Kept - Poetry collection focusing on objects and memories that hold personal significance.

For Good - Collection of short poems exploring themes of permanence and impermanence.

One Word at a Time - Prose reflections on the craft of poetry and the writing process.

Nothing Doing - Collection of minimalist poems examining everyday observations and experiences.