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. |