This historical look at the beginnings of a distinguished poet, Collected Early Poems shows Mr. Levine's growth from roots in traditional lyric poetry as it mixes with timely excursions into absurdist, sardonic, social, psychological insights heralded by consciousness-expanding elements that emerged into the culture in the early sixties. This collection sets the foundation for his next book, Flying Game, a collection of poems from 1985 to 2007 that includes poems written during international travel.