The World Doesn't End

Prose Poems

Images by Wendy Mark

By turns funny and poignant, whimsical and down-to-earth, The World Doesn’t End by Charles Simic is a Pulitzer Prize winning collection by a poet at the height of his powers. Simic masterfully constructs bizarre, unpredictable, and captivating visions in lyrical sentences that pile one incongruous turn upon another, building images that are full of surprise. Much like the river in one poem which flows backward, the power of Simic’s inner world derives from turning logic on its head and taking a look from another direction.

Upon its release in 1989, The World Doesn’t End was lauded by critics and colleagues. Publisher’s Weekly raved, “A master of the absurd and the unexpected, Simic presents a collection of prose poems that will not fail to amuse and delight.” The Washington Post called it, “A beautifully designed box of verbal fireworks… a seamless fusion of wild jazz and delicate, moonstruck, European chamber music. Young poets everywhere should read it attentively.”

The signed limited edition of The World Doesn’t End by Charles Simic is presented in two states: Lettered and Numbered. The editions measure 6” x 9” and feature four full color images by Wendy Mark. Both editions are signed by Charles Simic and Wendy Mark.

The Numbered edition of 150 copies is a full Japanese cloth binding with a foil stamped spine label. Endsheets are Hahnemühle Bugra and the edition is printed letterpress with two colors throughout on Teton. It is housed in a Japanese cloth covered slipcase. The edition is signed by Charles Simic and Wendy Mark.