Jack Spicer

Jack Spicer (1925-1965) was an American poet born John Lester Spicer in Los Angeles, California, who became a towering figure in 20th-century American poetry and a key member of the San Francisco Renaissance. Known for his innovative contributions including serial poetry, automatic writing, and works such as 'After Lorca' and 'The Holy Grail,' Spicer spent most of his writing life in San Francisco before his death at age 40. His poetry is characterized by lyric beauty, intellectual power, formal invention, and complex themes of love, language, and existential inquiry.