Feeding The Animal by John Thomas

Book Review
by Joyce Metzger

FEEDING THE ANIMAL
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.

John Thomas
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.

He tears apart the mundane, dissects the acceptable, then like
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.

Portents. Earth-tremors noticed only by him.
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.

[Here we approach the center
of the poem. which is blood.]

Each of us has one black book
of poems he will never write.

In a world where everyone talks,
time is of peculiar importance.

Cultural permutations, changes, haunting juxtapositions which
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.

Actually these are reassuring signs; signs of an active, questioning mind
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.

When you're in the mood for something different, take this book
onto your hands; it's certain to become a classic.

We hate, we fear our hands, work them
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.

A thinking poet's poet.

RD Armstrong said of John Thomas;
He is one of the grand old men of our poetry world...

I agree,
but also believe Thomas is much more;
he has true mystic insight.

Five stars
don't seem enough for these words,
but that is what I can offer.

Thank you, John Thomas.

FEEDING THE ANIMAL Poetry by John Thomas
2001: s/s 52pps #31 Little Red Book Series
Lummox Press, POB 5301, San Pedro, CA 90733

(C) 2001 - Joyce Metzger

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