Make up: Thoughts on Jeff Thomson

Jeff Thomson's Birdwatching in Wartime follows a journey through the rain forest of South America. The poems contain imagery pertaining to the biodiversity of the rain forest, and South American culture. This includes religion, history and the frequent inclusion of Spanish words or phrases. Thomson paints a vivid picture of the South American rain forest, one that is both full and highly intricate, particularly in "Landscape with Swelling and Hives" Thomson also meditates on the nature of language and death, such as in "Twin" and violence in "Ars Poetica with Pain." These themes eagerly deepen Thomson's views on the South American landscape.

The moment in Thomson’s Birdwatching in Wartime that stuck with me the most was when “American Pastoral” came to the page. For me the striking typical American farmer scene came to mind complete with Farmers who ride their quad-runner across the cow pastures, and having the rolling hills and blue sky behind them. However, what seems so American is not so unfamiliar to neighboring regions. South America has a very substantial agriculture. Other then a physical barrier the only other wall of separation North American and South American Farmers share is language. This is the astonishing aspect of Thomson’s poetry; it fills the gap with pose and ease.

Make up: Thoughts on Susan Howe

Susan Howe appears to be the master of bridging the gap between literature and visual art. Howe’s, “The Midnight” displays this bridge perfectly. While combining visual works of art such as pieces of manuscripts, photographs, and portraits, Howe is able to present a work that transforms with every read.

The overwhelming theme in “The Midnight” is the effects of insomnia. This is apparent throughout the entire text and through the cluttered state of the book itself. Many of her images and references do not instantly make sense or connect. All of the Alice and Wonderland images set throughout the text don't necessarily relate to the text displayed next to or around the image, Howe is more focused on the ideas surrounding the story of Alice and Wonderland such as bizarre adventures and the question of what is real or unreal.

The most interesting part of her poetry however is the interweaving between poetry and prose. I would like to whether she wrote the prose or the poetry while awake at 2 a.m. To honest both are so abstract I believe it could be either.

The text as a whole for seems to be still a work in progress, which I believe is the intent of Howe. The text is so obscure it could quite possibly go on forever. On lighter note, the level of complexity and demand for very close reading I will admit, made “The Midnight” a challenging but rewarding read.

Make up: Thoughts on Adrian Matejka

Adrian Matejka’s mixology could very easily be read with a solid beat pulsing in the background keeping time. His poetry is raw yet refined and still the kind of poetry that demands multiple reads not only for sheer enjoyment but also for its complexity and insightful inquires. I could not put down Mixology nor could I simply skim through any of the poems.

With an urban feel Matejka brings to light musical references that are almost so subtle one could easily read over them with blinking. For example the poem “Tommy Johnson (c. 1896-1956)” is one entire musical reference. Tommy Johnson was a famous blues musician. The very first line is a reference to the kind of blues musician and character Tommy Johnson actually was as Matejka writes, “there’s jake leg blues in this box.” Jake was a common aliment associated with drinking the then popular medication called Jamaican Ginger. This liquid was formulated to go around the prohibition laws and was especially popular with southern blues musicians. Jake leg was reference to the way an individual walked when they drank too much of the Jamaican ginger. The nerves that helped the toes function properly in order for one to walk were severely hindered.

This is only a small snippet of the depth and detail Adrian Matejka has gone into with Mixology. I believe this collection of poetry even though quite musical in its references can be thoroughly enjoyed by any reader.