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
‘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
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