Human Rites Selected Poems, 1970-1982

Human Rites Selected Poems, 1970-1982 by Edward Archibald Markham is a collection published by Anvil Press Poetry in 1984, featuring 127 pages of poetry in English. This edition presents a varied selection of Markham’s work, bringing together poems from several small-press publications along with recent and uncollected material. The collection showcases the poet’s considerable range, reflecting his imagination intertwined with a strong sense of reality and a deep sense of comedy.

Readers will find explorations of Markham’s West Indian background, love poems, and works addressing historical, social, and political themes. The collection also includes his unique brand of ironic humor, particularly evident in the ‘Lambchops’ poems, which resonate both on the page and in performance. This selection illustrates the depth of Markham’s voice and his ability to engage with complex subjects through poetry.