At the Threshold of Alchemy

by John Amen

At the Threshold of Alchemy is a brutally realistic book of poetry. By immersing himself in the particular details of his most meaningful moments, John Amen transforms hurt into poems that are both imagistic & lyrically expressive. With metaphoric daring and offbeat grace, he guides us through haunting and sometimes violent memories of roving through America’s southland. Includes the major 260 line poem-sequence “Portraits of Mary,” hailed by poet Jared Smith as “perhaps the most complex, intricate, and thoroughly honest love poem in all of contemporary poetry.” Holding a compass below the stars, his surreal imagery unfolds like origami. A thoroughly human book of memorable poems of great intensity by one of our best younger poets.

Genres: Poetry

85 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2009

About the author

John Amen's poetry has appeared in numerous journals nationally and internationally and been translated into Spanish, French, Hungarian, Korean, and Hebrew. In addition, he has released two folk/folk rock CDs: All I’ll Never Need (Cool Midget 2004) and Ridiculous Empire (2008). He is also an artist, working primarily with acrylics on canvas. Amen travels widely giving readings, doing musical performances, and conducting workshops. He founded and continues to edit The Pedestal Magazine (www.thepedestalmagazine.com).

Reviews

[Serena · Rating 4 out of 5]

At the Threshold of Alchemy by John Amen conjures profound statements about the human condition often from unusual or incongruous elements in nature, pop culture, and religion. Many of these poems comment on the darker side of humanity, and the narrator tends to seek out destruction and mischief. There are some longer poems in the collection that could become tedious for certain readers, but taken in slowly -- one section at a time -- readers can delve deeper into the verse.

". . . Mary plants clematis and bougainvillea.
I'm writing ballads on a '71 Gibson. We're purchasing
mulch, two tons of soil. We're collecting ripe moments," (Portraits of Mary, Page 43)

Vivid images and situations permeate these pages, and Amen is a poet prepared to comment on the taboo or the elephant in the room. Several poems titled "missive" address unknown recipients and offer harsh criticisms in which the sarcastic undertones is palpable.

"Had I known you were more concerned with baubles
than the outcomes of the election, I'd have planned
to craft a wreath for the occasion. Bless tabloids
and puppet governments, I take my salvation as
I can get it." (Missive #12, Page 68)

Musical elements also weave their way into the poems, much like they did in Amen's More of Me Disappears. Entwined with these musical lines, readers will note an atmosphere of self-deprecation created by the narrator's repentance or observations.

"Forgive me for eating this bountiful meal.
Forgive me for sleeping beneath this roof.
Forgive me for making love to my wife.
Forgive me for everything I fail to see and do
and avenge. Forgive me for this insular life." (Rampage, Page 24)

At the Threshold of Alchemy by John Amen is a collection that readers will need to let simmer, breathing in each line like an exotic incense. Readers can read each poem in this collection more than once and still uncover new layers of meaning. From short poems to long poems, this collection has a variety to please a multitude of readers.

[Nina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the most recent of Amen's 3 poetry books. Portraits of Mary is a series of beautifully descriptive poems about his wife, some capturing a moment or personality trait, others exploring broader relationship themes.

The language in this book is somewhat gentler than in his first two, yet still powerful. If you are an Amen fan, you will not be disappointed. If you are not familiar with his writing, I advise starting with this collection.