Recto Verso, Volumes 1 & 2 were written ambidextrously in the white spaces of Carl Jung’s book Liber Novus. Even though Jung wrote the book during the first quarter of the 20th century it was not published until 2009.
When I started to read Liber Novus, as customary, I wrote marginal notes. By the second day these notes became poems. Because the book is large I found it easier to write with my left hand on “verso” pages and my right hand on “recto” pages.
The poems are not necessarily comments on Jung (though some are). The physical book was the occasion for composition and opened its space. It was a five year project. Volume 1 was twice shortlisted for the National Poetry Series, and Volume 2 once. Below are images from the written-on book, links to published portions, and extended excerpts.
Click on image for closeup.
Poems from Recto Verso published in journal Leaping Clear.
Poem from Recto Verso published in the Ekphrastic Review.
Mike Barrett Archive 