Donald Then: Young poet should reach for the stars; you should reach for ‘Heart of a Lion’ collection


In Heart of a Lion, Tongue of a Snake, you will find a young poet’s talent ascending. I believe that is an apt summary and a noteworthy space to occupy as a writer and a poet.

I say to him: reach for the stars!

In his first book of poetry, Matt Teaford, from Highland Heights, has published a collection of some 50 poems that run a gamut of emotions. You’ll find joy, humor, pathos, happiness, despair, cynicism, sadness, and deep reflection. All poets need these qualities in their quivers.

Matt Teaford
Matt Teaford

T.S. Eliot hit the nail on the head. “Poetry,” he said, “is not a turning loose of emotion, but an escape from emotion; it is not the expression of personality but an escape from personality. But, of course, only those who have personality and emotion know what it means to want to escape from these.”

Teaford stakes a noble claim to Eliot’s observation with his published collection. To put pencil on paper, figuratively speaking, and write a poem is a moment of escape; at that instant a poet places his or her heart on the line. If you think about it, it’s a daring move.

In particular, I like Teaford’s promising ability to turn a phase because poets must tell stories in but a few words. For example, in his poem entitled Fire, written in memory of friends who perished tragically in a burning house, Teaford writes:

Their wicks are long and sure to last,
Their wicks are long, their beauty cast.
Two candles burning in my sight,
Two candles burning—bringing light.
But in there comes a sudden breeze,
The candles flicker, then they ease.

Such poignant writing hits where it counts: in the heart and in the mind.

Poetry must reach us on two planes: the visceral and the intellectual. One without the other is like lyrics without a melody.

In the forward of Teaford’s book, Dr. Santa Ono, president of the University of Cincinnati, writes about artists and their crafts. “Their willingness to share their stories, whether consciously or unconsciously, draws us all together and teaches us.”

When I read a poem, I hope to learn from it. I want to be able to take another person’s dreams, passions, or heartache and make them my own and come away enriched. This can be found in Teaford’s poem Heart of a Lion.

There’s a lion inside—down in the cage—
Roaring, ripping as I fill with rage.
Pacing, pacing—waiting for change—
Its claws are the pen scratching this page.
For too long has it been kept on a chain,
Watching the foolish, the heartless, the vain.
Longing to help them—
To keep them from pain.
Now he’s unchained, and free to attack.
His eyes are the ferocious glint in the black.
Stare into darkness—
He’s staring right back.
This lion and I are one and the same…

As a writer, I sympathize with Teaford’s perspective and learn from it. Often a gnawing, nagging sensation drives the creative spirit. The itch must be scratched. I think these kinds of driving emotions surface for many of us, regardless of profession.

teaford cover

Good poetry creates metaphors, a way for the reader to experience the traditional in non-traditional ways. As the great Robert Penn Warren, from Guthrie, KY, explained it, “Everything seems an echo of something else.”

In Tongue of a Snake, Teaford writes about Eve’s devilish visit:

I’ve lain us out some apple juice.
I know your lips are nice and loose.
That thirst is not so far from noose.
That glass will now be put to use.
Just the smallest, sweetest sip…
Go ahead and wet your lips…
Through your faith, your instincts slip.
Listen closely, your soul—it rips.

Indeed, an ‘echo of something else’ or a different take on a familiar story.

Now, don’t get me wrong. Some of Teaford’s work needs polishing. For example, if he worked harder he could find better words or phrases to fit his meter.

I don’t like all wines; I didn’t like all of Teaford’s poetry. However, I read it with great expectation and, if you are interested, you should, too.

Teaford attended Dixie Heights, Northern Kentucky University, and the University of Cincinnati. You can contact him via his publisher: Cincinnati Book Publishing, www.cincybooks.com. His poetry is available via his publisher or at www.amazon.com.

Don Then_150

Donald Then, a novelist and experienced editor and journalist, is NKyTribune’s literary editor. He will review books written by local authors or those with a Northern Kentucky setting. Reach him at author@djamesthen.com Visit his website at
www.djamesthen.com


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