Saryn na kichku : stikhi izbrannye (Forward, gang! : Selected verses)

Near Fine condition; cover shows occasional slight rubbing and some foxing, damaged bottom end of the spine; internally minor missing piece of the bottom end of the title page repaired with a transparent book repair tape. 

The title of the current collection of poems “Saryn na kichku" means roughly “Forward, gang!” or “Rabble, stay down on the bow!” (a Volga pirates' cry) and is one of Kamensky's favorite expressions, featured in Stepan Razin and a number of other works. Among the poems included are: Kamensky’s central work “Stepan Razin” (1916) (which author rewrote and shortened for current collection) based on the life of the famous Cossack rebel of the 17th century and aimed to present the essence of the Russian national spirit, that author achieved with the help of new words – occasionalisms, which are very similar to the words created by the people themselves, and these words very accurately reveal the mighty spirit, people; verses from the cycle “Parovoz Oktyabrya” (Locomotive of October, 1919), there soviet realism with the cult of machines and workes replaced poet’s futurist experimens; autobiographical collection “Leto na Kamenke” (Summer at Kamenka, 1929) depicting childhood memories of author’s native village; short poem “Yunost Mayakovskogo”  (Mayakovsky's Youth, 1931) reflecting on the life of the mammoth literary figure, who also happened to be Kamensky’s close friend, and some other verses. The collection demonstrates evolution of Kamensky's lyrics on the changing political scene in Russia from the rebellious futurism to the radical sots-realism, and finally to the need to reflect the life of the mammoth literary figure and his friend Mayakovsky, and own autobiography. 

Vasily Kamensky (1884–1961) is considered alongside Mayakovsky and Burliuk founder of Russian Futurism. The three of them toured Russia, promoting Futurism, also Kamensky was involved in Mayakovsky's LEF group. Most of his poems were among the boldest and most distinctive experiments in Russian Futurism. 

Book’s amazing constructivist cover design by artist and book illustrator Grigory Fisher (1906-1978).