Between Nothing and Nothing at All - Selected Poems

Discover a groundbreaking bilingual poetry collection Between Nothing and Nothing at all  that delves into existence, memory, and spirituality.

This unique volume by the Californian poet Michael Hannon presents an assembly of contemporary poetry, featuring original English texts paired with their German translations. Set against the backdrop of modern life, the poems navigate profound themes of existence and identity, inviting readers on an introspective journey that melds personal reflections with universal truths. Each piece has been crafted to resonate with a diverse audience, bridging linguistic and cultural divides, making it an accessible treasure for lovers of poetry and language alike.

This collection showcases a contemporary voice that intertwines beauty with philosophical insight. Readers will encounter contemplation on nature, love, morality, and the quest for meaning, creating a rich tapestry of emotions and thoughts. The work explores the interplay of the mundane and the mythic, encouraging readers from various backgrounds to connect and reflect on their own experiences.

Ideal for students, poetry aficionados, and anyone intrigued by cultural exchange, this book not only offers a glimpse into the human condition but also serves as a resource for language learners and comparative literature enthusiasts. 

Featuring original illustrations by acclaimed Californian artist William T. Wiley, this edition represents a remarkable convergence of literary and visual arts. Wiley, a founding figure of the Bay Area Funk Art movement and professor emeritus at UC Davis, brings his distinctive artistic vision to complement the collection's philosophical depth. Known for his mystical watercolors and intricate mixed-media works that seamlessly blend text with visual imagery, Wiley's illustrations create a perfect harmony with the poetry's exploration of existence and meaning.

Michael Hannon was born in California in 1939. He has been writing and publishing poetry for nearly six decades. His work has appeared in numerous journals and anthologies. Much of his work has been published by California’s leading book arts in limited editions. His thirty-year collaboration with the artist William T. Wiley has produced books, sculptures, prints and paintings, as well as shows at major galleries, and museums. He is the author of over thirty titles, including six full-length poetry collections:

A Door in the Water - 1975, Poems & Days - 1985, Ordinary Messengers - 1991, Trusting Oblivion - 2002, Imaginary Burden - Selected Poems - 2013, The Muse Turns Her Back - 2017

Michael’s archive is held at The University of California at Santa Barbara.

He is married to Nancy Dall and lives in Los Osos, California.

William T. Wiley (1937–2021) was a visionary American artist whose inventive spirit shaped contemporary art for over six decades. Renowned for his eclectic approach, Wiley worked across drawing, painting, sculpture, film, performance, and even pinball, infusing each medium with his signature wit and incisive commentary. A key figure in the Bay Area Funk Art movement, Wiley’s work is celebrated for its playful yet profound exploration of language, symbolism, and the human condition.

Educated at the California School of Fine Arts (now San Francisco Art Institute), Wiley quickly established himself as an influential artist and educator, mentoring a generation of creatives at UC Davis, including Bruce Nauman and Deborah Butterfield. His career featured solo exhibitions at major institutions such as the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and participation in the Venice and Whitney Biennials. Wiley’s legacy endures through his boundary-pushing art, which remains as relevant and thought-provoking today as ever.

Mitch Cohen, born in 1952 in California, studied Philosophy and English at the University of California, Santa Barbara. He has lived in Germany since 1975. He is an author, translator, and editor for English in Berlin. With Wolfgang Heyder he has jointly translated, among others: Kenneth Rexroth's Bestiary and Sam Hamill's Deadly Desire (Corvinus Press, Berlin); Robert Brandt's As We Drifted/Als Wir Dahin Trieben (PalmArtPress, Berlin 2020). Lives in Berlin, Germany.

Wolfgang Heyder, born in 1954, lives as an author, visual artist, dramaturge, and translator in Berlin. Recent publications: Beim Schälen eines Apfels (selected poems 1970-2015), Aphaia-Verlag, Munich/Berlin 2017; Youtopia (one-act play), edition eY, Bielefeld 2019.

With Mitch Cohen he has jointly translated, among others: Kenneth Rexroth's Bestiary and Sam Hamill's Deadly Desire (Corvinus Press, Berlin); Robert Brandt's As We Drifted/Als Wir Dahin Trieben (PalmArtPress, Berlin 2020). Lives in Berlin, Germany.