Don't: A Magazine of Art and Literature
Washington DC: Literary Art Program, 1971. Paperback. Printed cardboard sleeve containing an introduction sheet from the coordinator and art director; 11 12 by 12 inch [4]pp. bifolia, each with a poem or poems and accompanying artwork; a single poem on 11 by 8.5 yellow stock; 17 by 11-inch poster with an uncredited artwork; five postcards continuing poems and artwork; large 59.75 by 23.5-inch poster illustrated on both sides.
The outer sleeve is split about halfway on the top and bottom with some rubbing overall. Contents are very good with some light handling wear and toning, else a nice gathering. . Very good. Item #53019
The art and literary journal for the District of Columbia Public Schools Literary Arts Program, the journal consists of poetry and artwork solely by the students of the program from at least ten different high schools.
Reflecting the realities of daily life, many of the poems are raw and gritty; one narrative poem on the poster by a student from Cardozo High school told the story Jelly and Darlene, two addicts who "by 1963... had had two deformed kids and was now 'tricking' to support the ever-growing expense of the heroin habit. Jelly was pimping girls as young as 15 and was hauling in as much as $800 a week. Darlene, now old with the much-too-soon age wrinkles the dope brought was tired looking and very used. At a careful glance of Darlene, you could tell she had once been a beautiful girl who'd had much respect for herself." Darlene then decided she had to kill Jelly for ruining her life and when Jelly struggled to take a gun from Darlene, she fell to her death from the top floor of a fire escape. A few stanzas from another, entitled " This is Communication?" reads: "Woman, don't you tighten your grip If you do I'll bust your lip You better pray cause your time is near And don't you call that cop in here. Help! Help! Help me please This man done kicked me with his knees How my lips is bleeding so And he said he gonna beat me some mo Boy you better let her go Cause if you don't I'll hurt you so And don't you pull out no damn knife Unless you gonna take your life."
A Striking production by African American youth in early 1970s Washington D.C.
OCLC shows no holdings for this issue, but finds one copy each of four other publications from the program.
Price: $1,000.00