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Knowing: Poems
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
August 12, 2024
This is a long review, I know. But I felt this one so deeply, I could not in good faith make it short.
I can't quite put my finger on it. Perhaps it is just what poetry does. But it never fails, when I'm reading poetry, for a poem to hone in on exactly what I've been experiencing in my own life. It's uncanny. The poem is "Gasoline." I'll share parts of it, the parts that resonate with my own recent experience, below.
"Even after all these years after the divorce, I still sometimes dream we are together. She and I will be rushing hand in hand, late for a movie....In the dream, I actually know what is ahead...but there is something hopeful about the way she touches me, even still. I think there will always be a bond...The children will always be our children...
I am not a idiot. :) I know better than to pine for all that has vanished behind me. In fact, I am faced forward, usually; a striking picture of good health, braced headlong against the wind!...Still, I'm surprised to be here. I thought my life would turn out differently. I expected better from and for myself. And so, though reconciliation isn't something I want to happen in real life, in my dreams, it's ok...In those dreams, it's that fresh and untouched. It is a pleasure to feel that fully again, to have the family under one roof...That's all I wanted, was for life to be easy, right, fluid. It didn't seem like a lot to ask at the time."
Let me just say that I was in tears after reading this poem. I guess it helps to know that I'm not alone in this experience. I think this is why poetry is so special to those who love it. It seems we always find pieces of ourselves in the words.
Case in point...here's another from this collection that hits home for me...straight to my heart. Some parts of this poem, "Storm Front," I share below...
"...I miss my sons and daughter, but then I have always missed them, even when I held them. I was always reminding myself to be present, to demarcate significance. I was always a little lost within my own home. A form of Narcissism, I suppose, never feeling able to take in enough. Honestly, I fear now, as I become old, both remembering too little and too much. Either pitfall bears challenges.
Yesterday, watching a video of my youngest at two or three, listening to my young, robust voice read his storybook, I found I couldn't breathe. I would never be that father again; those years were lost to me. I understood then how such panic takes one to the edge of living. There is a violence enmeshed in memory I do not fully comprehend, ends are implicit in it...."
I know I'm sharing a lot from these poems, but I just can't help it. As a mother of sons, I loved this one...
Mortal Currents
Side against side ~ lain face-up in sleep ~ two lone clouds ~
one a stuffed bear ~ one my young son ~ across the ridge they
are passing ~ shorn apart ~ thinned to wings ~
Little sleeper, dear child ~ so far from me now ~ there are
but these few miles of peace ~ these brief wondrous nights ~
then we wake diminished ~ awash in mortal currents ~
My son, sweet boy ~ this is such a precious time ~ sleep long ~
churn deeper ~ dream ~ while you still own your face ~ while
you are still near to home ~ before the angel of forgetting ~
puts its cool lips to your eyelids ~ and you become a man
Just when I thought I was safe, the final poem, "Wonder Bread," hit me and I was down for the count. Here are the final several lines at the end...
"...Give me the simple life. I I do get Alzheimer's, let me get stuck reliving those mornings making lunches. the same thing over and over again. Everybody late, rushing around, cramming stuff into bookbags, and scurrying out to the car. Then piling in together. Just being there, buckled in next to each other, sitting in line, waiting to drop off at the front doors. I could wait like that. I could wait like that for as long as it takes."
That's it. I'm wrecked. It's hard to be sad, but it would be even harder not to have these memories. This collection is so wonderful. I can't even put it in the proper words. I will just say that if you love poetry, and you love families and relationships and memories and yes, some poignancy, then this is the collection to read. I know these poems will stay with me.
I can't quite put my finger on it. Perhaps it is just what poetry does. But it never fails, when I'm reading poetry, for a poem to hone in on exactly what I've been experiencing in my own life. It's uncanny. The poem is "Gasoline." I'll share parts of it, the parts that resonate with my own recent experience, below.
"Even after all these years after the divorce, I still sometimes dream we are together. She and I will be rushing hand in hand, late for a movie....In the dream, I actually know what is ahead...but there is something hopeful about the way she touches me, even still. I think there will always be a bond...The children will always be our children...
I am not a idiot. :) I know better than to pine for all that has vanished behind me. In fact, I am faced forward, usually; a striking picture of good health, braced headlong against the wind!...Still, I'm surprised to be here. I thought my life would turn out differently. I expected better from and for myself. And so, though reconciliation isn't something I want to happen in real life, in my dreams, it's ok...In those dreams, it's that fresh and untouched. It is a pleasure to feel that fully again, to have the family under one roof...That's all I wanted, was for life to be easy, right, fluid. It didn't seem like a lot to ask at the time."
Let me just say that I was in tears after reading this poem. I guess it helps to know that I'm not alone in this experience. I think this is why poetry is so special to those who love it. It seems we always find pieces of ourselves in the words.
Case in point...here's another from this collection that hits home for me...straight to my heart. Some parts of this poem, "Storm Front," I share below...
"...I miss my sons and daughter, but then I have always missed them, even when I held them. I was always reminding myself to be present, to demarcate significance. I was always a little lost within my own home. A form of Narcissism, I suppose, never feeling able to take in enough. Honestly, I fear now, as I become old, both remembering too little and too much. Either pitfall bears challenges.
Yesterday, watching a video of my youngest at two or three, listening to my young, robust voice read his storybook, I found I couldn't breathe. I would never be that father again; those years were lost to me. I understood then how such panic takes one to the edge of living. There is a violence enmeshed in memory I do not fully comprehend, ends are implicit in it...."
I know I'm sharing a lot from these poems, but I just can't help it. As a mother of sons, I loved this one...
Mortal Currents
Side against side ~ lain face-up in sleep ~ two lone clouds ~
one a stuffed bear ~ one my young son ~ across the ridge they
are passing ~ shorn apart ~ thinned to wings ~
Little sleeper, dear child ~ so far from me now ~ there are
but these few miles of peace ~ these brief wondrous nights ~
then we wake diminished ~ awash in mortal currents ~
My son, sweet boy ~ this is such a precious time ~ sleep long ~
churn deeper ~ dream ~ while you still own your face ~ while
you are still near to home ~ before the angel of forgetting ~
puts its cool lips to your eyelids ~ and you become a man
Just when I thought I was safe, the final poem, "Wonder Bread," hit me and I was down for the count. Here are the final several lines at the end...
"...Give me the simple life. I I do get Alzheimer's, let me get stuck reliving those mornings making lunches. the same thing over and over again. Everybody late, rushing around, cramming stuff into bookbags, and scurrying out to the car. Then piling in together. Just being there, buckled in next to each other, sitting in line, waiting to drop off at the front doors. I could wait like that. I could wait like that for as long as it takes."
That's it. I'm wrecked. It's hard to be sad, but it would be even harder not to have these memories. This collection is so wonderful. I can't even put it in the proper words. I will just say that if you love poetry, and you love families and relationships and memories and yes, some poignancy, then this is the collection to read. I know these poems will stay with me.
July 1, 2024
What an emotion packed journey through memories, regrets, growth, gratitude, and acceptance. In his book of Poems, Mark Cox led us eloquently through his tortured inner demons of alcoholism, infidelity, divorce, and loss. You could feel the pain in his words as he poured his memories over the pages.
“Ironically, I had to prove how unimportant I truly was before I could be happy being trivial. I needed to stand before God as a complete bufoon to make peace with my imperfectness”
As a self-proclaimed “recovering perfectionist” myself – I deeply resonated with that quote. We are made up of so many characteristics that result from mistakes made and learned from. We can not truly accept who we are until we accept the imperfect parts of ourselves.
“I miss my sons and daughter, but then again, I have always missed them, even when I held them, I was always reminding myself to be present, to demarcate significance. I was always a little lost within my own home.”
“Yesterday, watching a video of my youngest at two or three, listening to my young, robust voice read his storybook, I found that I couldn’t breathe. I would never be that father again; those years were lost to me.”
“Dear lord, there is such an acute risk in loving anything at all, in allowing something to matter.”
In a bittersweet, nostalgic, later half of the book, Mark Cox concludes that amid all his regret for past mistakes, he actually wouldn’t change a thing because it is our experiences that form who we are. I couldn’t agree more!
Beautifully written, deeply poetic, and insightful, a must-read!
“Ironically, I had to prove how unimportant I truly was before I could be happy being trivial. I needed to stand before God as a complete bufoon to make peace with my imperfectness”
As a self-proclaimed “recovering perfectionist” myself – I deeply resonated with that quote. We are made up of so many characteristics that result from mistakes made and learned from. We can not truly accept who we are until we accept the imperfect parts of ourselves.
“I miss my sons and daughter, but then again, I have always missed them, even when I held them, I was always reminding myself to be present, to demarcate significance. I was always a little lost within my own home.”
“Yesterday, watching a video of my youngest at two or three, listening to my young, robust voice read his storybook, I found that I couldn’t breathe. I would never be that father again; those years were lost to me.”
“Dear lord, there is such an acute risk in loving anything at all, in allowing something to matter.”
In a bittersweet, nostalgic, later half of the book, Mark Cox concludes that amid all his regret for past mistakes, he actually wouldn’t change a thing because it is our experiences that form who we are. I couldn’t agree more!
Beautifully written, deeply poetic, and insightful, a must-read!
June 15, 2024
Mark Cox's collection of poems in "Knowing" offers a raw and unflinching exploration of life's highs and lows through the lens of personal experience. Cox's candid reflections on love, drinking, travel, and the inevitable missteps that shape relationships are delivered with a blend of sobering clarity and humorous self-awareness. His narrative voice is unapologetic and brutally honest, capturing moments of vulnerability and regret alongside flashes of resilience and insight.
Central to Cox's themes is the struggle with identity and the consequences of his actions, such as the memorable incident of extinguishing a cigarette in a holy water font. This act serves as a metaphor for his recklessness and the clash between irreverence and spiritual yearning, emblematic of the larger existential dilemmas threaded throughout the collection.
Moreover, Cox's poems reflect a nostalgia for lost moments and relationships, particularly poignant in his reflections on parenting and the passage of time. The imagery is vivid and evocative, whether describing mundane routines like making school lunches or the poignant beauty of familial connections.
However, while Cox's poems excel in their emotional depth and candid portrayal of human frailty, some readers may find the collection lacking in thematic diversity. The focus on personal anecdotes and introspection may resonate deeply with those who appreciate confessional poetry, yet it may also limit the appeal to readers seeking broader social or political commentary.
In conclusion, "Knowing" by Mark Cox is a compelling collection that invites readers to confront the complexities of life with honesty and empathy. Through his poetic voice, Cox navigates the highs and lows of existence, leaving an indelible impression of vulnerability and resilience in equal measure.
Central to Cox's themes is the struggle with identity and the consequences of his actions, such as the memorable incident of extinguishing a cigarette in a holy water font. This act serves as a metaphor for his recklessness and the clash between irreverence and spiritual yearning, emblematic of the larger existential dilemmas threaded throughout the collection.
Moreover, Cox's poems reflect a nostalgia for lost moments and relationships, particularly poignant in his reflections on parenting and the passage of time. The imagery is vivid and evocative, whether describing mundane routines like making school lunches or the poignant beauty of familial connections.
However, while Cox's poems excel in their emotional depth and candid portrayal of human frailty, some readers may find the collection lacking in thematic diversity. The focus on personal anecdotes and introspection may resonate deeply with those who appreciate confessional poetry, yet it may also limit the appeal to readers seeking broader social or political commentary.
In conclusion, "Knowing" by Mark Cox is a compelling collection that invites readers to confront the complexities of life with honesty and empathy. Through his poetic voice, Cox navigates the highs and lows of existence, leaving an indelible impression of vulnerability and resilience in equal measure.
June 26, 2024
MY THOUGHTS -
A beautifully written book of poetry. Each poem paints a vivid picture. Each one tells a story. Each one stirs up some emotion, be it positive or negative.
Some of these poems were very gripping and had me sitting on the edge of my seat. While others had me in tears, either for sadness or for joy. And some of them just made me laugh out loud -
“Susan, for instance, doesn’t want to be a horse anymore.”
Also, bonus... as an artist, I absolutely loved the cover!
These are taken from a couple of my favorites -
Storm Front
Just outside my open window, the waters of someone’s heaven filter down through the leaves. Those voices, my children, my past – I am saturated utterly by this subtle shower, becomes sudden with grief. But just when I think I cannot bear it, the birds start to call for each other again.
In Medias Res
A girls cat steps eternally from the porch’s slab, her tail low, her right paw outstretched, the grass forever brittle with December’s cold everything at the edge of change.
This book just took me in it's arms and held me there for a bit while I enjoyed each one.
"She can cease becoming for an afternoon and simply be."
I voluntarily posted this review after receiving a copy of this book from Poetic Book Tours and the author - Mark Cox, Thank you!
A beautifully written book of poetry. Each poem paints a vivid picture. Each one tells a story. Each one stirs up some emotion, be it positive or negative.
Some of these poems were very gripping and had me sitting on the edge of my seat. While others had me in tears, either for sadness or for joy. And some of them just made me laugh out loud -
“Susan, for instance, doesn’t want to be a horse anymore.”
Also, bonus... as an artist, I absolutely loved the cover!
These are taken from a couple of my favorites -
Storm Front
Just outside my open window, the waters of someone’s heaven filter down through the leaves. Those voices, my children, my past – I am saturated utterly by this subtle shower, becomes sudden with grief. But just when I think I cannot bear it, the birds start to call for each other again.
In Medias Res
A girls cat steps eternally from the porch’s slab, her tail low, her right paw outstretched, the grass forever brittle with December’s cold everything at the edge of change.
This book just took me in it's arms and held me there for a bit while I enjoyed each one.
"She can cease becoming for an afternoon and simply be."
I voluntarily posted this review after receiving a copy of this book from Poetic Book Tours and the author - Mark Cox, Thank you!
July 4, 2024
The Review
What immediately stands out from the author’s work is the honesty and depth with which they delve into the themes of this collection. The self-reflection and almost story-like writing style allow the reader to be drawn into each poem, and the author holds no punches as they bring the truth behind each theme that so many readers will be able to identify with.
The themes that the author explores are truly remarkable. The poem True North, for instance, really delves into the struggles and downfalls of insobriety, hitting at the moment when a person hits rock bottom or comes to see in themselves the narrow path they had put themselves on. Themes of family, divorce, grief, and loss all roll together, connecting the reader with the author on a deep and profound level.
The Verdict
Memorable, heartfelt, and honest author Mark Cox’s “Knowing” is a must-read poetry collection. The diverse nature of the themes and the compelling sense of empathy that the poems instill in the reader will stay with them long after the book’s final page.
What immediately stands out from the author’s work is the honesty and depth with which they delve into the themes of this collection. The self-reflection and almost story-like writing style allow the reader to be drawn into each poem, and the author holds no punches as they bring the truth behind each theme that so many readers will be able to identify with.
The themes that the author explores are truly remarkable. The poem True North, for instance, really delves into the struggles and downfalls of insobriety, hitting at the moment when a person hits rock bottom or comes to see in themselves the narrow path they had put themselves on. Themes of family, divorce, grief, and loss all roll together, connecting the reader with the author on a deep and profound level.
The Verdict
Memorable, heartfelt, and honest author Mark Cox’s “Knowing” is a must-read poetry collection. The diverse nature of the themes and the compelling sense of empathy that the poems instill in the reader will stay with them long after the book’s final page.
August 21, 2024
Explore the raw emotion of the human experience in Knowing by Mark Cox.
The author of more than half a dozen poetry collections, Cox's candid poems about love, loss, family, relationships, growing older and more grips at numerous heartstrings and provokes deep thought. It tells the story of life through introspection in all its sweet, hard, and ugly ways. Knowing explores the quickly fleeting years of parenting. It unravels the regret found in hindsight. It dismantles the idea that all you have to do is believe to obtain a dream. It embraces that we all live, love, and grow old in all kinds of ways that bring us joy and sorrow.
As a mother in transition, I connected most with the poems about looking back at the years spent parenting our children, only to watch them go off on their own--as they should--and leave behind bittersweet memories of their younger years.
If you enjoy deeply emotional, introspective poetry, then Knowing is for you. It is a beautiful collection of poetry wrapped in a stunning-looking package.
The author of more than half a dozen poetry collections, Cox's candid poems about love, loss, family, relationships, growing older and more grips at numerous heartstrings and provokes deep thought. It tells the story of life through introspection in all its sweet, hard, and ugly ways. Knowing explores the quickly fleeting years of parenting. It unravels the regret found in hindsight. It dismantles the idea that all you have to do is believe to obtain a dream. It embraces that we all live, love, and grow old in all kinds of ways that bring us joy and sorrow.
As a mother in transition, I connected most with the poems about looking back at the years spent parenting our children, only to watch them go off on their own--as they should--and leave behind bittersweet memories of their younger years.
If you enjoy deeply emotional, introspective poetry, then Knowing is for you. It is a beautiful collection of poetry wrapped in a stunning-looking package.
June 16, 2024
Knowing by Mark Cox is a poignant and unapologetically honest exploration of life, love, and the complexities of life. In this collection of poems, author Cox fearlessly tackles themes of love, regret, addiction, and the inevitable pitfalls of existence with candidness and sharp wit.
The collection's strength lies not only in the author's narrative skill but also in his keen observational eye. Through vivid imagery and storytelling, he brings to life moments that are at once universal and intensely personal, inviting readers to reflect on their own experiences with newfound empathy and understanding.
For anyone seeking poetry that is as thought-provoking as it is heartfelt, Knowing is a must-read. Author Cox's ability to navigate the highs and lows of life with grace and authenticity makes this collection a standout in contemporary poetry, showcasing the enduring power of words to both challenge and comfort the soul.
The collection's strength lies not only in the author's narrative skill but also in his keen observational eye. Through vivid imagery and storytelling, he brings to life moments that are at once universal and intensely personal, inviting readers to reflect on their own experiences with newfound empathy and understanding.
For anyone seeking poetry that is as thought-provoking as it is heartfelt, Knowing is a must-read. Author Cox's ability to navigate the highs and lows of life with grace and authenticity makes this collection a standout in contemporary poetry, showcasing the enduring power of words to both challenge and comfort the soul.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews