My conception of Mathews as a writer is superior to Mathews's actual books. In other words, I have an idealized notion of him that the works never quite fully support. "Cigarettes" is a great novel, as is "The Journalist." The essays could be a little sharper. Part of what I enjoy in him is the sense that not many other people know who he is--outside of a few literary, academic circles. He is one of "my" writers. I believe this is called "snobbishness."

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Why did I have that reaction to Rexroth a few days ago? Maybe it was the tone of the reviewer, who was trying to create a "Western" pantheon of Rexroth, Everson, and Jeffers. Claiming they were neglected by the Eastern academics. I am from California myself, but these are not "my" poets.