Double Bird
I love this story because it extends credence to the fragility of life. And the total incomprehensibility of it. The fact that we, human beings, have a 40 million to 1 chance of ever being born will stay with me. Bud Smith’s stories are full of humorous, often surreal, happenings; as well as keen observations into the nature of life. In my mind, a lesson here is forgiveness but also readiness. Life is unpredictable, and often astonishing. It’s not every day a bottle rocket will fly through your window (I hope not, at least). Though Double Bird may inspire you to keep the spaghetti pans close by at all times.
This Poem Has Been Censored by the FBI
The image of the “bear” hooked me right away. I immediately got the sense that the poem could go anywhere, and I mean anywhere, when travelling the stanza further. This is such an exhilarating feeling. Reading Meeah Williams’ poem is invigorating because of the unexpected. The tone of this poem is not lost on me, either. The voice is authoritative in so much that the piece flows effortlessly. When Williams mentions the bear’s digestive tract or the names of biplanes, a sense of wonder is nurtured. If you’re anything like me, that last line might have you re-reading. And re-reading. And re-reading.
August
The economy of this poem struck me first. Also, the poet’s transition from unknown to the immediately known. Are the unconscious guy and “you” the same person? Or is the poet talking to me, the reader? Either way the cookie crumbles, these poems are in service to the aliveness of language. I don’t come to poetry for a simple retelling of events. I am constantly looking for that “something else” – and found it. Here, the magic of the moment is exposed through careful observations of self and other.
no xylophones
Concise. Clear. Truthful. The human body being the dust factory that it is, I enjoy the real mixed with the surreal in this poem. I mean, our bodies are quite literally regenerating skin cells day and night. I admire Andrelczyk’s ability to blend unreality and reality together. There’s something completely ‘unreal’ in the lines: “We peel away / Layers / Of our skin / Until / Finally / We’re skeletons”. I often look for, and revel in, the blending of otherness regarding reality when reading poems. Andrelcyzk does that wonderfully here.
self-portrait as grieving ghost
There are so many layers to this poem. This short paragraph will not do it justice. Though I will say this is a powerful work. Through all the emotions elicited, the truth of the matter remains, and I am grateful for the poet’s labor in presenting it. A reminder of the sheer power of the unknown, unseen is necessary. The burden of fear that we human beings often carry in relation to it is simply too heavy to go unchecked. While I did enjoy the play on words with “after,” I am happy to take this poem straight with no chaser. So much heart and soul in these lines.
About Mixtapes
These mixtapes are a way for the Neutral Spaces community to read and share each others writing.
The idea is to go through the site and select 5 pieces from 5 authors.
For Neutral Spaces authors, these get collected and you are given a space to write about your mini-collection.
On the page, the curator and the 5 selected authors have their website linked, together with the 5 external links for the chosen work.
If you run a journal, I would love to spotlight your site with 5 pieces, you can use the introduction to let people know what you're trying to do with your site.
If you want to put together a mixtape, e-mail me.