Maria’s Poems

Dave has received much acclaim and praise for his work as is reflected in the following comments:

James B. Hall writing in New Letters of Footprints, 1961-1978: "I look forward to more poetry of this kind from probably the most broadly gifted poet in Texas."

Michael Anderson writing in The Pawn Review of Lines & Mounds and Footprints: "The contribution of these books towards a body of uniquely Southwestern literature -- writing which could not have been spawned outside the region -- is immeasurable, though the poems are not regional in interest nor in impact. Instead, these poems represent a new movement in American poetry -- an increased concern for history, for culture, for 'place.'"

Lynn Hoggard writing in the Texas Writers' Newsletter of Footprints: "There is no poet now writing who has made so total, so deep and so sustained a search for the meaning of being a poet in Texas as has Dave Oliphant, and these meandering footprints range all over his homeland."

Don Graham writing in the Dallas Times Herald of Austin: "Resolutely committed to the practice of poetry, Dave Oliphant has for years edited anthologies of Texas verse as well as written ample quantities of his own. In numerous essays, he also has staked a claim to being a strong advocate for nativistic poetic voices and subject matter, which is another way of saying that in this time of shifting cosmopolitanism, he is a regionalist. Oliphant's new book-length poem, 'Austin,' carries forward this program on an ambitious scale. It is an attempt, in Texas terms, to recreate a work along the lines of William Carlos Williams' "Paterson," that is, a poem that relates the history of a place from the ground up, from origins to now... I find myself not being put off by the poem's density, but rather being drawn into it. Serious readers of serious poetry will find the book worth their attention."

Dave’s  books of poetry and translations from Spanish, his studies of jazz, and  collections in which his writing appears are listed below, with prices and sources.

  Memories of Texas Towns & Cities , Host Publications, Inc., $12.00—This book, which includes poems on Beaumont, Honey Island, Vidor, Houston, and other area towns and cities, as well as various communities around the state, is available through amazon.com or from the publisher at: 2717 Wooldridge / Austin, Texas 78703  

Figures of Speech: Poems of Enrique Lihn, translated and introduced by Dave Oliphant (Host Publications, Inc., $12.00)—This book, which is a bilingual edition, is available through amazon.com or from the publisher at 2717 Wooldridge / Austin, Texas 78703.

Texan Jazz  University of Texas Press; paperback, $24.95—This history of Texans in jazz history is available through amazon.com or UT Press.  

The Early Swing Era, 1930 to 1941 Greenwood Press, $99.95— The volume is about 480 pages, hardback, with dust jacket and photographs included.  Anyone really interested in the Swing Era and recordings of the time might want to consider this book for their collection.    The book can often be found in libraries.

  Roundup: An Anthology of Texas Poets, 1973 to 1998  Prickly Pear Press, $10.00—This collection, which Dave edited and which includes his own writing, is available from the press at: 1402 Mimosa Pass / Cedar Park, Texas 78613.  

Juneteenth Texas: Essays in African-American Folklore, edited by Francis E. Abernethy, et al.  University of North Texas Press, $29.95—This book is available through amazon.com or from the press at: P.O. Box 13856 / Denton, Texas 76203. It includes Dave’s essay on Bebop and discusses Harold Meehan’s life as a knowledgeable jazz enthusiast and performer. Dave was thrilled to be included in this book  which was edited by his first freshman English teacher at Lamar Tech.  

Dave can be contacted at the following email address: