JOHN LEVY, 54 POEMS

John Levy, 54 POEMS, Shearsman Books, 2023. John Levy's poems are fascinating for a variety of reasons. They are friendly to read. This does not mean that they contain simple and thoughtless observations. The author often uses objectivistic methods, known to us from f. ex. Buddhist, old poetry. Some of Levy's poems are (like) koan versions of the modern world. It is a transfer of Zen and Shingon temples to the Western reality, which is full of neurosis and irrationality. It is a meditation in a space that has forgotten the temporality and fragility of human life. Levy explores civilizational paradoxes, searches for meaning, and captures fragments of true humanity. The poems are often messages, posters, based on quotes, on the echo of the noise of a modern humanoid. It is clear that the author must have read the classic Objectivists. We feel the spirit of William C. Williams in these poems. Sometimes even the early poetic journeys of Charles Reznikoff. Some of Levy's poems have something of the atmosphere of the great Hugo Williams (UK). That's my impression. It's a distant relationship. It may be due to my reading preferences. The strength of this poetry is its subtle obsession. Levy's messages come back to us like a boomerang. Most poetry books are read only once. We put them in old boxes or quickly take them to an antique shop. Here we are dealing with a different situation. Levy is as a drug. Many of his poems cannot be freed. They are read over and over again. And we still want to continue this unique, very well-composed book. I will end my note with a poem with which John Levy begins his book, it is titled Kyoto. This is a classic, masterfully written poem. I highly recommend the poetic selection "54 POEMS" by John Levy. This poetry expands our consciousness and allows us to better understand the absurdities and problems of our ambivalent stay on planet Earth. Young and also older artists can learn a lot from Levy, from his aesthetic visions, conclusions, certainty and uncertainty, surprising and wise observations. 

                                    

                         John Levy 

                         Kyoto 

                         I’am at a temple. A young monk in black robes walks by, looks at me,
                         stops. He points to my long hair. Brown. Then to my goatee. Red. He
                         touches my armpit and looks puzzled. I point to my hair. He points to 

                         my crotch. I point to my hair. He invites me in for green tea.