Corner Instrumentalist and Other Poems

Corner Instrumentalist and Other Poems

By Steven Translateur

24 pages

ISBN: 978-81-8253-787-3

Cyberwit

Copyright 2020

 

Review by LB Sedlacek

 

Just 14 poems make up this small book of poetry by Translateur.  In it, he tackles subjects such as space travel, coffee, and your very own dream home.

 

Poetry books can by of any shape and size.  While some may prefer rather lengthy books, so many others might rather read a smaller book of poems. 

 

What matters is what is said in the poem.  These poems are meaningful and take a different look at things we take for granted sometimes.

 

From the title poem, “Corner Instrumentalist”:

“See the clarinetist puff out tunes

that express the ruins

of his formerly downtrodden life

filled with overwhelming strife

that forced him to the streets for remuneration.”

 

This poem brings to mind that of a street musician, or even a group of them.  There’s music all around in life and Translateur has captured that perfectly in verse.

 

He continues a music like theme in the poem “Flute in the Park”: 

“Arpeggios of notes swirled in their heads

while completely ripping boredom to shreds.”

 

Poetry books don’t have to have themes to succeed, but this one does a nice job in having each selection tie in for the most part with the others.  This is a rhyming poem and much of the rest of the book is written in rhyme with a little bit of prose or free verse thrown in.

 

Translateur goes on to write about television, pillows, sidewalks and discos.  There is much more to each poem, though, than the subject matter at hand.

 

From the poem “Sidewalks”:

“Going where you want to go,

lining up along the street,

giving something to do for your feet,

a place where you can meet”

 

Corner Instrumentalist takes a sure and solid direction with the poems presented within.  Translateur has a sure voice and a good idea of what it is he’s trying to say.

 

Sit back and listen and savor his words.  Your poetical life just got a little more interesting!

 

 

 

~LB Sedlacek is the author of the poetry collections “I’m No ROBOT,” “This Space Available,” “Words and Bones,” “The Blue Eyed Side,” “Simultaneous Submissions,” “Swim,” and “The Poet Next Door.”  Her non-fiction books include “The Poet Protection Plan” and “Electric Melt:  How to Write, Publish, Read Walt Whitman and Survive as a Writer and Poet).  Her short story collection is entitled “Four Thieves of Vinegar & Other Short Stories.”  She writes poetry reviews for  www.thepoetrymarket.com  You can find out more:  www.lbsedlacek.com