Reviews
A review by Zero:

Salad with Blue Cheese - An Early Triumph for Joey

What can one say about a piece of work like "Salad with Blue Cheese"? From the sociocultural anthropomorphic delight delivered by the title (i.e., "Blue Cheese" rather than "Bleu Cheese") to the startling, strong and courageous assertion by the author that he knows what Israel's about, the poem is rife with beautiful imagery and nuance. And yet, somehow, in a rare look into the poet's soul, I believe Joey has treated us to a glimpse of his playful side. (Marsupial in the thorn garden, indeed!)

 

A review by Zero:

Mrs. Von Grecian - The (Near) Triumph of Reason

Being a poetry critic is not the world's most gratifying job. I spend many, many hours poring over what can only most kindly be called uninspired drivel. However, once or if he's very lucky, twice in a critic's career, he is confronted by a piece of such power and energy that the boring, barren times are instantly forgotten. Joey (Street Poet) Manster's new work "Mrs. Von Grecian" is such a piece.

At first, it seems like Joey is presenting us with just another "recipe for life" poem, referencing such mundane objects as a "boat" and an "escalator"(although much discussion could be had about the cosmic interplay in these two cultural icons alone).

It's at this point that the Poet abandons the preachy overconfidence characteristic of many of his "peers" (if Joey can be said to have peers). "I not completely certain what happens," Joey confesses! And just when we think we're mired in the hopelessness of uncertainty, she appears (A source of bronze)!

Mrs. Von Grecian! O sweet lady of our redemption! Ageless ("In a book of old...or the new project") and iconoclastic ("knocking down conventions in its head),she leads us from the precipice of unknowingness, while reminding us of the tenuousness of our new grasp (i.e., round seat in a boat!)

But alas! Our newfound freedom from ignorance is to be short-lived. Apparently, the boat was hewn too rough, for we once again hear, "I not completely certain what happens."

"Mrs. Von Grecian" is a beautiful piece of poetry. It exhibits such a symmetry of ideas and balance of thought, it makes this reviewer wonder if somewhere in that artist heart that is Joey the Street Poet, there beats a scientist.


Joey The Street Poet
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