Friday, January 30, 2015

#runtraccoonrevolution

To say that there is nothing interesting in #runtraccoonrevolution would be far from the truth. This particular collection of poetry is probably one of the most explosive books I’ve read, and I read a ton of poetry. Jeremiah Walton is a rather extraordinary writer who forces nothing but passion into his work. It’s what makes it shine like it does, and the energy this author uses in this collection I’ve seen in their previous books. There is no slowing down for mad ones; these dedicated individuals only pick up more speed as their art becomes a part of them.
Walton’s #runtraccoonrevolution offers the reader a wealth of impactful and gut punching material from page one to the end. It is simply a collection you wouldn’t want to put down (and would be a crime to do so). Essentially what you hold in your hands or what you’re reading on your screen (depending on your preference for reading) is “kerosene for the soul” and nothing less. If you’re wondering if you should grab this book, I would highly recommend it. Read a few pages at the Scribid link and decide for yourself, I’m pretty sure you won’t be disappointed.

https://jeremiahwaltonnostroviapoetry.wordpress.com/
https://www.scribd.com/doc/245025876/RuntRaccoonRevolution-by-Jeremiah-Walton

Saturday, January 24, 2015

The Blues and Poetry







henry 7 reneau jr. is a poet of intense talent, and one I truly respect after experiencing his work. There’s a sense of dissonance when the reader is first exposed to his poetry, but the overwhelming look of his work on the page draws the reader into an engaging experience. In his latest collection, freedomland blues (left un-capitalized as it is on the cover), henry 7 pummels us with harsh and disorienting works that leave us returning several times. Written to open eyes, he allows us to form our own opinions and decisions regarding several hot-button topics in America today.

If you have never known what the blues were, you will learn it through this collection. Each poem takes a daunting and somewhat melancholy look at different stages of life and love, American politics and racism. We as people have a sense of what freedom should be; an idea of values that make this immaculate feeling we all share. henry takes that and brings out all the flaws and disgusting parts of our ideals and forces us to see them for what they are. He shoves our sense of self-importance right back at us, and it’s one hard ride.

freedomland blues is a true poetry collection. It is one I definitely recommend to anyone interested in blues poetry. 


To grab your copy of freedomland blues, go to http://www.transcendentzeropress.org

Wednesday, January 21, 2015

Poetry For the Living Dead!




I have to say that I was rather shocked to find this wonderful collection sitting in my mail box when I arrived home a few weeks ago. I must give my thanks to Presa Press for the complimentary review copy. I love poetry; even manage a whole press dedicated to publishing the most talented poets out there. Though, I have never come across Eric Greinke’s work, I can say that the collection that was sent out to me, For the Living Dead, is a really solid and well written one.

Greinke has a direct and conversational way with his words. Readers who grab this book will be twisted and thrown through surrealistic and bold spectrums as they move through the pages. For the Living Dead contains a wide range of poetry from the authors career, from 1969 to 2012 and it is simply amazing to watch a talented writer become seasoned through each turn of the page.You almost think you get to know the poet through this wealth of material collected here, but I get the feeling there’s a lot more to steal away from the poet.

I would definitely recommend this collection to anyone who is interested in poetry or interested in starting out as a poet. I think you’ll be able to learn a lot as you examine the growth that takes place through these pages. The book has great a great connection through each page and completely immerses the reader in his well written lines. This is simply a must have for all poetry lovers out there.

I may have to look into the other titles out there at Presa Press, and I’ll definitely be looking for more of Greinke’s work.

You can purchase Eric's book here at http://www.presapress.com/

Wandering Poet




It simply leaves me wanting more. I’ve been following Mr. Wise’s work and performances for some time and he has impressed me many times. Excited to hear this book was finally put out I had to grab it, caught it before the color/black and white switch that happened shortly after the release. I could not have torn the package open quick enough, like a broke kid on Christmas opening his one present, I had to catch the work inside. Honestly, I’m glad I did.

ZM Wise has a way with poetry that I haven’t experienced before; his words linger on with the reader moments after the book is closed up and put to the shelf. But as a poet and an editor myself, I fear that I was left a little empty by some of the work inside the collection. Overall, I’d say it’s a solid book and worth the money. You simply have to have it if you are a poetry fan. But that does not mean every work in here is perfect.

I noticed that there was some distance in the work between the reader and the poem. I saw the words and they were good, but they didn’t make me feel anything. Some of the poetry carried a lack of experience for me, which was rather disappointing coming from the talented author. I’m a guy who loves to be immersed ( who doesn't?), I want poetry to grab me in, shake me around til I don’t know what’s going on. I got that from some of the work here, but not all. Poetry collections need to be solid and connecting. There needs to be a symmetry with the material you choose and the book as a whole. The Wandering Poet is filled with many great selections, however not all keep the symmetry in tact.

I had the same critique about the previous book, Take Me Back, Kingswood Clock. There were some great selections but the symmetry was broken by a few skeleton poems, poems where we need to meat and the gristle. These poems have great ideas behind them but the execution was not so great.

Needless to say I still love the book, and would recommend it to all of my poetry loving friends. I do expect great things from Mr. Wise in the future. If you’ve not picked up this book, I recommend grabbing a copy and experience the journey for yourself.

You can purchase Z.M.'s book at http://transcendentzeropress.org/

Poetry Lives on Kingswood Clock


I can’t say when I really met Z.M. Wise, but I can remember when I first saw him read. It was about a couple years back at a Barnes N Noble reading. When I heard him read that first time I could tell he was going to become a really strong writer. When I found out he had a book release I simply had to purchase a copy, and I cannot say I’m disappointed in my purchase.

Take Me Back to Kingswood, Clock, is a solid collection of poetry; one that I would recommend to anyone who is searching for the latest releases in the poetry world. An interesting note about writers is that they’re always growing, always getting better in their craft, and this book leads the reader through the authors development. It’s not often readers can experience such a journey, to actually see the progression.

It's been said to me in the past by other poets that one of the problems with the literary world, poetry specifically, is that there's a lack of feeling. We're focused on getting the job done. It's not far from the truth, there are several poets who tend to put a few pieces out but there's a lack of feeling, a lack of intimacy between poet and poem. The intimacy was there in the book, but it grew as I moved through each page.

I’ve chatted with Wise on a few occasions, and through those conversations I could see the dedication in him. I could see that poetry wasn’t simply a writing hobby; that poetry actually breathed inside this person. Wise is strong in his work as he is charismatic on stage and in-between conversations.

Take Me Back to Kingswood, Clock, is one hell of a read altogether. I’m proud to have it on my shelf.

You can purchase this book at: http://www.maverick-books.com/kingswood_clock.html