Ronald Johnson (1935-1998) is one of the most original—and delightful—American poets of the last century. From A Line of Poetry, A Row of Trees (1964) through his long poem entitled ARK (1996), Johnson wrote visionary poetry of minute observation and striking formal invention. This volume (edited by Peter O’Leary) represents his final poems, which are condensed and cosmic meditations on death and the natural world “the halftones of reality / of veritable life / a various weave of stuff.”

“I have always thought Ron Johnson a terrific poet: everything he has written has surprised and delighted me.” —Thom Gunn

“Poetry with a passion for exact, even scientific scrutiny.” —Guy Davenport

“One of the defining peers of my own imagined company of poets.” —Robert Creeley