Book Review
by Joyce Metzger
FEEDING THE ANIMAL
John Thomas
He tears apart the mundane, dissects the acceptable, then like
Portents. Earth-tremors noticed only by him.
[Here we approach the center
Each of us has one black book
In a world where everyone talks,
Cultural permutations, changes, haunting juxtapositions which
Actually these are reassuring signs; signs of an active, questioning mind
When you're in the mood for something different, take this book
We hate, we fear our hands, work them
A thinking poet's poet.
RD Armstrong said of John Thomas;
I agree,
Five stars
Thank you, John Thomas.
contains a world of thought,
introspection, reverie, apprehension, and concern with age and
death. There are sharp divisions, which become noir, then bloom
into an illumination of light. Shadows play, light twirls, evolves,
springs forward, leaps into sharp divisive thoughts.
was awarded the Lummox of The Year 2001-2002 from the
Lummox Journal for this book. John Thomas' poetic words hold
a baton he waves over land and sea, to lead you forward,
then enfold into his unique song.
a surgeon, sews everything back in place, deftly, carefully
skillfully. John Thomas is a poet, a teacher, a leader,
a guide around which the eddy and swirl swells with life.
For here am I, Mr. Bull; another ghost,
pursued by shadows across the rocks.
Here I am, desperate under seagulls,
cowering in the beard of the world.
of the poem. which is blood.]
of poems he will never write.
time is of peculiar importance.
are persistent, infectious, seductive, and might well be chilling
testimonials to a deep felt, ominous, and encroaching danger are
all here; a danger we can only surmise.
unwilling to accept the ordinary. The mundane. The order of the day.
Or life, without thoroughly examining every idle thought; wondering
why this should be, at this time, in this way.
onto your hands; it's certain to become a classic.
morning after morning, turn them
to the task, watch them
hard at it in the darkness, watch
as they commit the terrible
visions to page and page and page.
He is one of the grand old men of our poetry world...
but also believe Thomas is much more;
he has true mystic insight.
don't seem enough for these words,
but that is what I can offer.
2001: s/s 52pps #31 Little Red Book Series
Lummox Press, POB 5301, San Pedro, CA 90733