Mark Olynyk's Blog, page 2

Review (9)

Written in Stone has to be one of the most special, compelling, as well as entertaining books I have ever read, and this is thanks to the incredible author and poet, Mark Olynyk. Mark Olynyk’s words have moved me beyond belief, never before have I encountered such a unique looking book so when I did discover Written in Stone, I knew that I had to read as well as review it so that readers from all over the world can be made aware of this gem of a book.

Written in Stone is a collection of poems written by Mark Olynyk who is philosophical and profound with his words. Each poem is able to flawlessly ignite a feeling in a reader as they are highly emotive as well as poignant. I was immensely surprised by the difference between each poem; they all have a theme of a philosophical background which will challenge its readers to think; however, the poems are all unique, individual and original. As I read one poem, I would feel a certain feeling, such as admiration but then I would read another one which made me feel bewilderment and then another one which shocked and or surprised me and this was the running theme/feeling with these poems. The power of Olynyk’s words had the ability to take me on a journey and make me open my eyes to the world and the happenings within it. The poems will not only evoke a feeling in you but also a debate as some poems will make you want to debate a philosophical belief etc and that is the beauty of these poems. Poetry is meant to spark thought and or a feeling in a reader so the fact that Olynyk managed to do just this with each poem shows us, readers, that he is a talent to watch.

Mark Olynyk is a phenomenal writer whose poetry greatly moved me. As I read one poem, I immediately re-read it, sometimes even three or four times as I wanted to get to the heart of it and understand it better. It was like Olynyk was telling me to reread the poem, to immerse myself 100% so that I could feel the feelings he wanted me to, and so I am in awe of him for making me feel such a way. As I read one poem, I would always find myself looking excited to read the next one because I knew, after a few poems, that each was very different and special so I found myself being very excited. That again shows us, readers, that Olynyk has a talent to continually capture the attention of his readers and so, I have no choice but to award this book and his talent at poetry, Five Stars.

If you are a reader who loves poetry as well as philosophy, then Written in Stone is truly a book not to be missed and I am not just writing this as I loved the book. I want people to read this book and to feel a host of different feelings (as the author intended) and for you to feel inspired etc. It is a stunning book so please do not pass upon the opportunity of reading this brilliant book.

Thank you so much for reading book lovers! I appreciate it so much and love discussing wonderful books with all of you so please, comment below and let me know your thoughts on Written in Stone; do you see yourself reading this book? Let me know all of those brilliant thoughts of yours below! Thank you so much again for reading!

Goodbye for now book lovers,

~Aimee Ann
Red Headed Book Lover Blog

Review (8)

I enjoy your philosophy very much; the life and love, light and darkness in your collection. Written in Stone is a must read.

Lynette Davis
California, U.S.A.

Review (7)

If you want to quench intellectual thirst on matters literary... and philosophy among others I unequivocally recommend "Written In Stone". Mark Olynyk you are the legitimate bard.

Kipkoech Hezron
Kenya

Review (6)

I’m not a critic, just a lover of words. Mark Olynyk has a great way of making every word count. Every line or couplet has the power of vision. He makes it look easy but I’m sure he’s paid in blood for every one of those lines...

Theo Katman
Cyprus

Review (5)

Anything written in stone, must be meant to last forever.

‘Written in Stone’ by Author Mark Olynyk is a prestigious collection of poems with a traditional touch, yet refreshing and cleverly imaginative, poetically speaking. And as readers, we’ll admit it is quite easy to become lost in this book’s enigmatic, intelligent wit! Organized and well-structured, Olynyk’s writing style is simple, yet remarkably profound, as the unyielding forces of surrealism and reality impel the mind to conjure up adventurous visualizations of symbolic imaginings such as abstract ‘Paper Tiger’s’, then stirring up cosmological power of the universe in his poetic ensemble ‘Dark Matter’, compelling you enough to inquire more of his creative intellectual flair and perspective, as well as the origin of some of his views.

For instance, what do you think of when you hear the title ‘Talking Heads’? At first, the theory of mental telepathy pops into our minds (considering the title), but what, or better yet, who can fit into this description? For the language of the talking heads in this poem ‘sputters optimism from a spout…and utters the wisdom of our time’, leading us to believe that, perhaps, the characters to fit the Author’s depiction are powerheads, leaders. Elite individuals who are receptive to optimism, know wisdom, and even ‘breathe truth without hesitation’, yet still fail to take heed to the voice of the distressed. This is a poem that compares two different types of people with mentalities poles apart, as the Author concludes this poem saying ‘exclaiming in surprise at the whispered secrets exchanged. Between heads of state and the morally insane’.

Indeed, “Talking Heads” is an intriguing title, but only one amongst many others, such as the poem titled ‘Facsimile’, an informative and revealing poem that discreetly announces the media as ‘manipulators’, who in sum, according to the author, strategically fabricate information advertised to the people (society), ultimately to influence humanity to believe a specific idea or certain truth, typically disguised by a well-maintained façade upheld by a strong pillar of deceit .

This poem most certainly is an intense conversation starter, softly delving into the realm of politics, and perhaps even conspiracy or collusion. It encourages readers to consider and think about the world we live in, beyond the “politically correct version” sold through mainstream mass marketing and communications.

Impressively, the Author's words are not restricted to the tangible worldly realities affecting our earthly home, for he ascends to higher heights, pulling us in like the phenomenal magnetic force he mentions in his transcending poem titled ‘Rebirth’; a poem that triggers the sensation of feeling like no other, as you close your eyes, silently taken by the invisible and momentous gravity that he says ‘pushes him down into the earth’.

In detail, he describes what appears to be a 'reincarnation', or a reawakening. And in abstract terms, it’s an illustration of ‘a new being’ brought forth into existence– but what does one make of this when the ‘new being’ undergoes this process of reincarnation, repeatedly? Unheard of, this anomaly fuels our interest!

Does this change the positive perspective of what it means to transcend or evolve? And with each disintegration, and each rebirth, is there too, each time a reborn identity? Compelled by a raft of questions, this is a revolutionary poem that places great emphasis on internal self, identity, and transformation, connecting all three aspects with purpose and evolution, effectively illustrating what can be described as the ‘ultimate life-changing event’ or happening. So not only is this poem evolutionary, it is universally epic!

Similar to many other profound poetic expressions in this collection, such as 'I, Machine', as Mark explains the striking resemblance between the term ‘human’ and the word ‘machine’, creatively comparing and magnifying distinct characteristics related to durability and productivity - and apparently, innovators can do away with their high-tech mechanical knock-off models, because who needs them when there are ‘I, Machines’? ‘Efficient, lean, and mean’, Mark describes. And as he continues to elaborate on this theory, we find ourselves deeply fascinated by the Author's poetic profile of this seemingly ‘perfectly productive’ creation!

In reading this book, we also encounter classics such as ‘The Philosopher King’ that feel as if they travel back into the archaic times of old, when poets spooled legendary words of wisdom of kings into ancient legends intended to teach wise lessons, passed on for eons and generations.

Similar to some biblical parables, the key principle in this story lies in one main enigmatic parable-like phrase encrypted for readers to try and decipher; ‘the philosopher king once ruled when the philosopher’s stone was a jewel in his crown’. Symbolically depicting and associating the Philosopher King’s reign by contrasting the very difference between the value of a stone, to that of a precious jewel. From a superficial perspective, signifying power, dominion, and influence by stature and/or status. We would love to see this poem evolve into a short story, interested in the peculiar civilization of Utopian dreamers and thinkers cultivated under the Philosopher King’s great rule.

More of our favorites from this collection are ‘It’, a philosophical abstract selection with a labyrinthine-style; ‘Time’, an ingenious tale of how ‘time slipped into eternity’; ‘Art is Long’; where the Author admits that ‘art is greater than man’, and then lastly, his poem titled ‘Dead End', in which he concludes that ‘death will never die’. Even in this simple snapshot, alone, it is obvious that his poetry is complete with thought-provoking controversies, politics, beliefs, and personal observations that can forever be Written In Stone, reflected upon by a future civilization.

At last, to conclude our thoughts, Mark’s collection is purely constructed of poems that consist of these 3 key elements; fundamental knowledge, reality, and existence - Philosophy and logic vividly reflect in his firmly written verses, clear and brief, yet often disguised in the imaginativeness of creative metaphorical paradigms that boldly stroke the intellect, probe curiosity, and effortlessly entwine art with theoretics.

We are pleased to present this book a 5-star rating and believe this is a book suitable for any poetry enthusiast looking to stretch their mind’s interpretation capabilities! Get your copy today!

By Realistic Poetry International, May 31, 2017

Review (4)

Dear Mark Olynyk

I received the copy of your book for review.

I wanted to deal with three things I found with superb interest as to your status, not just as a poet, but a philosopher (I may say).
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There are too many questions about life. Too many that the libraries are already crowded with words and books about it. There were pros- groups and cons- group, a combination of a group of people wanting equality while others don't want, or a think-tank of nations dealing with ecumenism. There are too many words and too many beliefs that created confusions and divisibilities. Philosophy is unable to distinguish itself from the blurring and teetering of human conviction. Psychology and Religion is at the brink of destruction.

The book Written in Stone balances these issues. Instead of heavy words, Mr. Mark Olynyk uses his wit to sew his philosophical and psychological ideas in manner that is readable, yet artistic, relevant, and oftentimes realistic.

The question, "what is poetry" is answered by your poem entitled "The Reality Is" (p. 31). Poetry is all superficial, but the value it contains is critical and existential. The question of " what the poet has to say" Is reflected on your poem "A Road Less" Travelled (p.52) that is " to explore the dark side of the unknown." Such wonderful picture reflects man's initiative to understand himself and his potentials. And so, the third question is "what is written in stone" is found on the last poem entitled "Fragments" (65). That is, everything man thinks, says and does are all written as 'fragments' of bones and dust, that is, our own human experiences.

Unless we understand ourselves, we cannot understand another. The patience of making ourselves better does not rest on the concept of 'unity' but ends and start at the establishment and knowledge of the self. The work of Mr. Mark Olynyk is of superb interest in general perspectives, scholars and young minds the same. CONGRATULATIONS on this work well-done.

The complete text rof the review will be given soon...

I recommend this book five stars plus, published by Friesen Press. available at Amazon.com

©Z.C. de Leon Jr.
BCS, MTh, International School of Ministry and Leadership; Bataan Peninsula State University, Dinalupihan, Bataan, Philippines.

Review (3)

With an almost Shakespearean mastery of wordplay, Mr. Olynyk has used the vernacular of modern technology and media to present timeless philosophical truths. As a fellow poet, I admire his concise use of language, as well as the thought-provoking content. This book is a vital addition to any poetry reader's collection.

Laura Saint Martin
California, U.S.A.

Review (2)

What I really enjoyed about Written in Stone is the way Olynyk utilizes an approachable soft spoken vernacular to explore territory where few dare to venture. Olynyk's poems are more like mirrors then windows into the mind of the author. Each piece is like a telescope that allows the reader to navigate uncharted regions of their mind blocked by conventional thinking. Although I may not agree with some of the assumptions proffered, Olynyk has a way of inviting the reader to challenge unexamined assumptions, separating the wheat from the chaff. Philosophy is the love of knowledge; in Written in Stone Olynyk's love spills from every line.

Christopher Kirkwood
California, U.S.A.

Review (1)

WRITTEN IN STONE (2016) Friesen Press, Canada
Author: Mark Olynyk
Review: Samson Nyarima

In Written In Stone, Mark Olynyk grapples with the age old question of meaning. As you read through the collection, the question of meaning - of life, existence, of death - crops up at every turn of the page.

Written in Stone (second edition, 2016, Friesen Press, Canada) is a collection of sixty-five short poems written in free verse which cover a whole range of philosophical ideas. The poems though independent of each other are interlinked by broad thematic content that subtly cover the real and ethereal in human existence.

The choice of the cover image, to the initiated, aligns the poems with the elements of cosmic realities, the other-world nature just like Stonehenge was aligned by its builders to capture the solstice. From the word go you get the awareness you are engaging with a mind at once learned in the ancient and futuristic and that seeks to merge them, make them meaningful to us.

The poems in this anthology seem to canvas through history, the sciences, the mystical, earth and outer space. It is not lost on the reader that Mr. Olynyk is comfortable in all realms of knowledge that he chooses to explore and that here is a mind steeped in the philosophical without losing sight of the common and the ordinary.

Written in stone is written in simple yet metaphoric language packed with different levels of meaning. The collection uses a simple vocabulary that spans a whole range of knowledge. It is an easy yet challenging read, captivating yet deeply profound in meaning, each poem a complete entity yet strangely linked with all the others in the treatment of the various poetic ideas while at the same time very demanding in terms of exposure to background knowledge of the variety of topics covered.

The poems in this anthology can be placed in several broad thematic categories. The ones that deal with the search for meaning and purpose of human existence; the perception of morality- good or bad and freedom; hope- or the lack of it, and fear; the struggle against conventionality, conformity and change; the relationship between faith, reason and what is factual; and, the independence and individuality that man must strive towards within the universe.

Whereas it is not easy to box any set of poems in any one of the above thematic areas, it is easy to note the thread that runs through the whole anthology. The reader is invited to interrogate the issues of morality, faith, fear, reason and life’s purpose in poems such as ‘Dark Matter’, ‘Phases’, Ghosts’, ‘Flat Earth’ among others. On the other hand, ‘Hammer Blow’ suggests the need to sort out issues here and now and not in the hereafter, ‘The Straw Man’ celebrates the uniqueness of ordinariness and escaping from convention while ‘Paper Tiger’ is an in depth look at the genesis of hostilities that result into violence.

The piece ‘Turn Left at the Sun’, explores the need to get out of the box into a world: '…where no men/ muddy the waters. /words are never/ misconstrued.’

Whereas ‘Talking Heads’, ‘Moribund’, ‘Blackout’ and ‘Change’ deal with issues of morals, change and freedom, others, like ‘The reality Is’ and ‘Speaking in Tongues’ challenge the reader to look at things- reality, truth, knowledge, freedom and faith- in terms of practical and scientific approach.
‘…If you can prove it
then it’s true.
Everything else is conjecture.’
The Reality Is- (page 33)

In poems such as ‘In Good Standing’, the poet encourages seekers, people who take risks and thinkers who challenge existing norms while ‘A Road Less Traveled’ opens one to the world of choice and consequences. He plays with different meanings we ascribe to words and phrases in such poems as ‘Passed On’ and ‘Eyewitness’, deals with issues of alienation and isolation in ‘Outsider’, the elements (‘Elements’ page 24) the uncertainty of what to do with an idea (‘Thoughts On A Thought’ page 49) and urges the reader to learn, grow, use knowledge to overcome new challenges in ‘Shadows’.

It could easily be said that the poem ‘Faith And Reason’ (page 57) summarizes the essence the collection, Written in Stone. “Take nothing for granted, seek to know!” seem to be the clarion call of this poetic master. The persona in this collection weaves a magical wand that transports the reader through levels of knowledge at the turn of each new page.

To read Written in Stone is to travel through a time portal, back and forth, far and wide accompanied only by a clear headed philosophical mind that knows, like all master poets, what to give without being prescriptive.

This is one anthology that defies the confines of space and time. Mark Olynyk treats very serious issues with the simplicity that makes the product at once popular and academic. Reading this collection leaves one not only satisfied by each piece of writing but also yearning for more from this gifted writer.

Samson Nyarima
Kisumu, Kenya