Review: Delightfully intriguing poetry
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 09 21, 2013
While studying English literature, one of our teachers told the class that poetry has the uncanny ability to unveil the truth, even if only as a small mirage. Generally speaking, the reader senses the presence of something else, something that was not said, that was only implied, or perhaps only desired by the reader. Take these two lines from the poem The Cashquar from this book, "Peter, Enchantment and Stardust:" "Wilderness is where I roam / A place where free is my home." When I read things like this, I feel that something has touched my inner self. Well, this `touching of one's soul' is much more difficult with prose; although it can be done by the great masters. This collection is divided into four sections of diverse and intriguing poems. For those of you who have read Mr. O'Brien's "Peter: A Darkened Fairytale" and are familiar with his incredible metaphors, the reading will be familiar. For those who haven't, well, prepare yourselves for a series of enchanting twists and turns. In The Vaandorg Dragon, the creature, apparently referring to humans, says the following line: "Lovely soft flesh makes good soup." Oh, yes, remember that Mr. O'Brien enjoys certain degree of darkness. In his poem Bisquenta, you can read "If you're a merman better hide / I need some food and you'll do fine."There are, of course, many other types of poems to be enjoyed, for example in Kipple, you can read: "How nice to see you again / To feel your voice / And have a chat / I can't believe you are back." If you have ever longed for someone, you'll know what I mean. This is nice, intriguing poetry, five stars. Jake Taylor