Kerouac In Spirit - Paperback – April 20, 2024 by Richard Wlodarski (Author)

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Cyberwit.net (April 20, 2024)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 154 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 8119654188
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-8119654185
• Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 9.1 ounces
• Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.39 x 8.5 inches

Review by LB Sedlacek

Richard Wlodarski’s “Kerouac in Spirit” is a “journey of souls” (as stated by the author in his Preface) through the beats and pulses of Kerouac’s body of work. Wlodarski indicates he was originally inspired by Dennis McNally’s book “Desolate Angel.” This collection pays homage to the Beat poet’s spirit and spirituality, his wanderings, and unfiltered emotional works.  He says “This book of poetry is my humble way of honoring Jack Kerouac’s memory. And Gerard’s. It’s unique in that it is poetry.”

These poems are vivid and evocative and often include supportive commentary from Wlodarski’s poet colleagues. This creates a unique perspective not only for poets but also for readers to compare one’s take on the poem with another while reading is a moving prospect.

Wlodarski captures the essence of Kerouac like themes. Each poem is almost as if written like a vignette or snapshot of moments.

The poet says in his Introduction “You go on a picnic to relax, to be idle, to stop thinking and reacting and learning, and when you come home, you sleep, because doing nothing is exhausting. But the Kerouac road trip keeps you alert, your curiosity is keen, everything is relevant, because it’s a page from the Scripture of the Golden Eternity. You are so alive in your skin you see wonders unfolding before your sleepless eyes. Your car will run on gas again and again, but your human spirit will generate more energy, more than it spends.” He appears relentless in his pursuit to infuse his poems with rich and textured language similar perhaps to Kerouac’s own stream-of-consciousness style. Make no mistake, though, Wlodarski adeptly brings his own visual voice to the table offering contemporary verses and moments.

The book is divided into seven sections. The way the book is laid out makes it similar to a biography of sorts but in poem form. Plus, the poet often includes his own notes about the poem sometimes within the poem. All of this together gives the overall feel of the book one of nostalgia seeped with a bit of melancholy. Wlodarski blends a book of poems into a collection where every instance is electrified with possibilities along with thought provoking texts.

From the poem:

The Pen Cements The Ink

“I only write the words

The pen cements the ink

I only see the sights

The eyes illuminate

I only hear the sounds

The ears authenticate

I only taste the fruit of life

My mouth and tongue do lubricate”

This collection is set apart because of the author’s deeply personal poems to and about Kerouac. I have read much of Kerouac’s work and find Wlodarski’s perspective to be a fresh take on one of our most important and influential literary figures.

“Kerouac in Spirit” offers poems that explore the complex view of existence. They also are a resonant tribute to a great author.

~LB Sedlacek is the author of several books of poetry including “Unresponsive Sky,” “Poem Medicine,” “The Poet Next Door,” “Simultaneous Submissions,” “Ghost Policy,” “Swim,” and “I’m No Robot.”  Her short stories books include “The Jackalope Committee & Other Stories” and her poem novel is “The Blue Eyed Side.”