Writing Is an Aid to Memory

"I am always conscious of the disquieting runs of life slipping by", writes Lyn Hejinian in the Preface to this major early work of poetry. "Necessity is the limit with forgetfulness, but it remains undefined. Memory is the girth, or again". In this incredible work, Hejinian takes the idea of memory as something repeated, or "a gain", something that contributes and advances presentness. First published by The Figures in 1978, this work has long been unavailable and has been highly sought by the numerous readers and students of Hejinian's work. Her works My Life, The Cell, and The Cold of Poetry are taught in universities internationally, and have created a large audience for her writing. Writing Is an Aid to Memory will make available, once again, an important part of her oeuvre.