Review By Randall Radic
For lack of a better term, I’d describe Robert Louis Henry (RLH) as a happy pessimist, full of a delighted despair, which emanates from his belief in God – a God whom he views as disinterested, and therefore doubtful – which is why RLH says he’s an agnostic nihilist. This is evidence of great intellectual capacity. For those who never doubt God do not believe in the Person of God, they only believe in the idea of God.
Robert Louis Henry’s theological system – agnostic nihilism – is a constant theme throughout his poems. Many, if not all of his themes, are a cynical exploration of religious concepts: death and suffering, life as a form of exile, the absoluteness of God, the denial of a workable faith, sin, the state of civilization, the tragicomedy of history.
Like an archaeologist he digs at these subjects with his favorite tool – cool, clear verse: poems, which carry vital truths. Writing poetry this superb, while at the same time providing an easy intimacy, demands wisdom and talent. Stylistically, the mode is extremely difficult. It is equivalent to boiling down three pages of text into one passionate apostrophe. Each single word hints and cajoles, and each sentence bares philosophic truth, even though the truth may be negative, and the reader may disagree.
RLH’s poems not only communicate, but they flow easily as they do. It’s more like listening to music than reading, for the tune is melodious and the words sound good together.
Moreover, unlike in our faded times, where poets are cautioned against using adjectives willy-nilly because they are so loose and so distracting, like hookers standing in a doorway, waiting for their next dupe, RLH uses them conspicuously – literary flamboyance with an almost palpable energy. He breaks all the rules and is better for it.
God loves rich kids is outstanding!
One of my favorites is ‘Exaggerations,’ which concludes thusly:
“Near the lake there’s
a restaurant that a
professional wrestler
bought for his mother,
and it’s considered an attraction.
but I’ve been there,
It’s just seafood.”
Which to me says RLH went there, looking for the attraction, hoping for the attraction. All he found was seafood. In other words, is that all there is?
My other favorite is ‘A Loaded Deck,’ which is like looking into a holy kaleidoscope. It’s about a deck of religious playing cards, which might be Catholic or Baptist. He isn’t sure.
“I’ve recently found
the Jesus-Jacks
and wonder what
the other faces are.”
Robert Louis Henry is waiting to be stared down by God. Snarling and growling, half-depressed, despairing at the absurdity of his very existence, nevertheless there’s a bouncy joy inside him. A joy at simply being alive and able to wonder, doubt and philosophize.
RLH wants to be loved most of all. And he wants God to do it. It’s just that he doubts there is a God. I suspect the joy within him he can’t hide is rooted in some secret guess that there is indeed a God – somewhere – who will eventually stare him down, crumbling all his despair.
Otherwise why would he write so beautifully of smoking off the same cigarette of a God who loves rich kids?
On the Read-O-Meter, which ranges from 1 star (bland) to 5 stars (zesty), God loves rich kids earns 5 stars. Simply because it’s so darn good.
Robert Louis Henry lives, studies, and creates in Tennessee. His poetry appears in various electronic and print magazines including 3:AM, The Delinquent, and The Commonline Project. His songs can be heard in select living rooms and bedrooms. God loves rich kids and we smoke off the same cigarette (Bygawd Books 2010) is a 60 page poetry collection consisting of several mini-chapbooks. He’s currently working on a collection of multimedia pieces driven by prose. You’ll find the author online at www.wesmokeoffthesamecigarette.info/robert-louis-henry.html
God Loves Rich Kids And We Smoke Off The Same Cigarette (Bygawd Books 2009) By Robert Louis Henry
Randall Radic is a former Old Catholic priest. After a midlife crisis, he spent time behind bars. Today, he has emerged a changed man. As the author of Gone To Hell: True Crimes of America’s Clergy(ECW Press/ Oct 2009), Radic aims to warn the public of the sins committed behind the walls of churches every day. Randall Radic is also author of A Priest in Hell: Gangs, Murderers and Snitching in a California Jail.
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