THE COCK OF HEAVEN

This allegory, based on legend, tells of the history of man, from the wandering of the Jew Ahasuerus, as he witnesses the seven wanderings of humanity, down to the dance of death and the destruction of the universe. Olson has evidently been profoundly influenced by Eliot, and his dream-filled, symbol-filled poem goes beyond that, and a new and puzzling technique destroys what continuity the poem might have had. Very esoteric -- I for one have never been so confused -- but never.