3 posts tagged “poetry”
John Thompson pens his intriguing work entitled Trainride Elsewhere: The Fourth Collection of Misterpoet. Enticing his audience, he pleases the emotional and visceral senses which often evoke pain and pleasure. His poetry is sharp, precise, and, one may say, economically written. The words are carefully chosen to create distinct portraits and images for that one moment in time.
Naturalistic themes, not unfamiliar in Thompson’s work vividly appear throughout in stanzas and haikus. He playfully jots down ideas and thoughts of his surroundings; trees, leaves, willows, and metaphorically he relates them to human beings. Thompson sees the beauty in nature in both man and nature and the Oneness in the world and brings that into his poetry.
His haikus, in particular, are powerful: “razor, dances, / across skin: a red river--/waterfall thin.” Thompson explores human relationships, life encounters, and even tackles tragedies as 9/11 through beautiful poetry.
Sparking a somewhat new tone is that of unhurried attention to sensuality and motion. The words caress his images leaving his readers remembering his poems long after they have left the page.
A majority of the collection are written in haikus. The rest in poetic form vary a bit context. However, they do not stray from Thompson’s original playfulness with words. His keen desire and observational ability to recognize the connectivity in the world shines through in his poems.
Set in early1900s Poland, Rosenbaum takes her audience to the depths of a small town, Zokof, where the family story begins. As a young boy, Itzik Leiber accidentally kills a Polish peasant when he sees three children in harm’s way. To save himself and his family, he must flee Zokof. Years later, his son, Nathan, a professor travels to Poland only to find links to his father. Nathan’s daughter, Ellen, a ballet dancer, by trade, less religious later travels to Poland. What she discovers unravels more of their family mystery. Ellen’s search for understanding enables the Leiber’s to finally come full circle.
Rosenbaum writes a gorgeous piece, filled with twists and turns. There is conflict between historical and cultural peoples that she brings to surface beautifully. Her storyteller’s voice is apparent through her choice of characters and dialogue is unforced. This debut novel will definitely keep the reader intrigued and laughing as well.
reviewed by: Mona Lisa Safai
BIRTH
In a gilded cage
she resides,
Leave her alone
the bird takes flight
Neglects her past,
hoping to begin
Her life anew,
cherishing breath,
And the skies so blue
Her fragile flight
experiences ecstasy,
Knowing she can now
follow the winds.
--Mona Lisa Safai
