Drawing of poet Gil Ott by Christopher Webster

Art by Christopher Webster

Cuneiform Press, 2006

Poet Gil Ott, considered by many an integral part of Philadelphia’s experimental poetry scene, passed away in February 2004. His contributions to the literary community include founding Singing Horse, a press that has put out over 25 books since 1976, editing the literary journal Paper Air and writing more than a dozen books of poetry. Buffalo’s Cuneiform Press this spring released a limited edition run (only 50 copies) of his last book, The Amputated Toe.

Cuneiform produces limited edition handmade books with a primary interest being “the intersection of experimental writing and the possibility of book as structure.” Kyle Schlesinger, the publisher of Cuneiform, wrote Ott a letter expressing interest in working with him; not long after, Schlesinger received The Amputated Toe.

What we have is a beautifully contructed, side-stitched book with images by artist Christopher Webster. The story unfolds over 11 pages on yellow paper with black ink.

This brief but abstract fable has a dream-like quality, weaving together how memory interacts with performance. From the presence of the boy-deer to mysterious appendages, Ott explores the space between actor and audience. This slim volume will have you wanting more of Ott’s unique visions.

In an interview with poet CA Conrad in 2004, Ott talked about the story, which he refers to as a “fable,” as being difficult to write. He said, “I had finished the book PACT, which was a collection of prose fables. And I had great difficulty finding the string which would lead me back to writing.” Being called to his father’s bedside helped inspire him to write The Amputated Toe. The inspiration for Toe was Ott bringing his 89-year old father to the emergency room after he accidentally lopped off his toe while trying to cut his toenails.

What is so impressive about the book is the physicality of it; in our digital age, holding a book and feeling the weight of the covers is wonderful. With handmade stitched books, you feel the love and effort it took to put it together. The Amputated Toe is Gil Ott’s last book; with this edition, Cuneiform has done a great job of honoring Ott’s work.