Snake train : poetry and prose

This anthology offers English readers the first collection of one of Russia's most original and innovative Futurists. Although best known for his linguistic experiments (the poem "Incantation by Laughter" - given here in several alternate translations - consists entirely of variations on the root word "Iaugh"), the selections in this volume also suggest the imaginative social dimensions of Khlebnikov's world view. He was fascinated by both ancient history and the scientific possibilities of a utopian future, and his works range from mythological legend to science fiction Fantasy. The story "Ka" is set in ancient Egypt, with a central character who is alternately the narrator's own soul. Akhenaton, an ape, and various external objects. in "Proposals" he envisions a future society in which desert islands will be set aside for all those wanting to fight wars, and the earth's lakes will become pots of soup where live animals are bred. All the earth's thought- will be assigned a number, and conversations will be carried on visually through signboards. In "Radio of the future" he proposes a universal radio to transmit not only words, but visual art, sound, taste, smell and healing powers to every corner of the earth.