Wecome to my Sunday Book Review. Today I’m sharing my review for John Dolan’s new release – Arrhythmia – poems. I’m a fan of Dolan’s books and his views on life, sometimes cynical or dark, and sometimes humorous.
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Blurb:
This collection of poems explores what it means to be alive. Here you will find desire, love, loss, vexation, mortality, the quest for purpose, and the longing for certainty.
Those familiar with John Dolan’s writings will already be acquainted with his particular brand of humour and his philosophical ruminations – and you will find these liberally scattered through the pages of Arrhythmia.
For existing and new readers alike, welcome to the world of performance poetry: verse to be savoured and to be said out loud.
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My 5 Star Review:
Dolan states in the preface, “these poems are designed to be read as performance pieces,” out loud. So make sure you aren’t out in public or you may be taken for a lunatic.” Typical Dolan humor.
I’ve enjoyed everything I’ve read from Dolan so far with his novels. His books, no matter how different, all have his satirical humor embedded. This book was yet, something different from Dolan, written mostly in poetic verse, always leaving us with a thought. Several topics are covered in this book, all pertaining to the human condition, life and emotion. Many of these poems are life lessons, and some are stories also leaving an impact. Dolan is an observer of life and shares his observations in his poetry. He claims some of these poems were written long ago. Some written on the heart’s voyage through life, others about broken souls. The collection is sorted on various emotions and observations, all touching on both, the beauty and ugliness of life.
There are many short stories spoken in verse mixed in with some shorter and rhyming poetry. Some of my favs: Desert Errata – Learned advice on how to take life at its best and not sweat the small stuff, A Deflowering of Poppies – A gentle telling of love among war, Let Me Explain – A cruel apology from a cheating husband, Playing A Round Writing – A clever poem using comparisons and similarities between writing and golf, spoken in golf terms. Ballroom Dancing – A tale about various dances and how well – or not – the author dances, apparently, he can cha-cha like a king! Unrequited is a tale about wrong timing in love and missed opportunity.
Where I Live resonated with me – looking behind at uncertain futures, memories difficult to revisit, “I dwell then in the space between the superficial now And the finite possibilities of tomorrow. . .”. Utopia – A sarcastic view, “While the grey matter slides slowly out of sight, permeates the brick, and is gone in the night. So, despondency soaks up the evening…”. Commuter Train Blues – Humorous and satirical observations spoken in poetic verse, not all pretty, but much truth. I Don’t Miss You – A love letter to a past love and what inspired it, “I don’t miss you. Not at all. I’ve moved on and so have you. We’re sensible mature adults. We know the grown up thing to do.” Things that linger after love that forever remind.
Animal Behavior – A warning here of explicit language. It’s a bit crude (as Dolan’s work can sometimes be), it’s dark and sadistic. Dolan flexing his dark muscles here. For those with pure minds may choose to skip this one – or not.
Another of my favs: New Heart – A tale about a man who’d been hurt so many times – “I’ve lived, adored, and cared too much, you see. And all it’s brought me in return is grief . . .,” his ticker was replaced by an experimental artificial one. The man was glad he no longer could feel.
There is much to savor in this book and highly recommend for not just Dolan fans, but anyone who enjoys dissecting life and all it can encompass.
Another of my Favs that touched home for me:
Just Occasionally She Stumbles
Then bewilderment gathers
about her like an enclosing mist.
Her workaday strength dissipates.
The pillars of her certainties grow brittle:
Emotional fractures scurry along their length.
The combined mass of expectation and regret,
Of future and past,
Weighs down heavily on the present.
At such times she hides,
Withdraws herself from the world
And its strident demands.
She takes her heart into a private room,
Studies it, turns it over in her hands.
She scrutinises it for damage done.
Perhaps she cries a little
When she thinks about
The things that were
And the things that might not be.”
©DGKaye2025
DGKayewriter.com 