I first encountered the pre-Socratic philosophers in Kathleen Freeman's translation in the early 1960s. Since then I have been an avid reader of these early tough and insightful texts, altho I have never completed a course in reading ancient Greek. Subsequent translations by Guy Davenport, Charles Kahn, Kirk & Raven, T M Robinson, David Gallop, Brooks Haxton and Robert Bringhurst, among others, have continued to enliven my senses of the possible in thoughtful feeling in my own poetic life of the mind. The poems here are derived from several different translations of the pre-Socratics, with additions, omissions, alterations and even downright distortions by the author. While none of my speculations should be attributed to the translating poets and scholars, I nevertheless dedicate this book to them, for most of us know little of the beginnings of secular thought in the West without their labor. An earlier version of the poem was written in 1990 and published in Missing parts (Hazard Press 1992).

SOMA is the 52nd book by the printer, the 7th Electio Edition, and is written, designed, printed & sewn by Alan Loney. The paper is Magnani handmade 160gsm damped for printing on a Pratt-Albion handpress with Giovanni Mardersteig's Dante types. The images are made from brass rules and other type decorations, with some handwork, especially with hand-wielded rollers, by the author. Binding and slipcases made by Wolfgang Schaefer. Page size is 230x140mm, 48 pages.