The Ginsbergian Stylings of Michael Lee Johnson
The Man
Sometimes the poetry is more interesting than the poet, and sometimes vice versa. In the case of Michael Lee Johnson, however, both the man and the art are complex, interesting, and, above all else, worth investigating if this is the first you've heard of him. A man who once carried his poetry "on his back" in self-exile in Canada during the Vietnam war, he now resides in Itasca, Illinois where he crafts lines of poetry that are sometimes Ginsbergian, often ripe with tension, and always enjoyable.
Perhaps it isn't surprising that his poetry sometimes seems to channel Allen Ginsberg, as Michael Lee Johnson lists Ginsberg among his heavy influences. If you asked him, however, he'd probably tell you that he feels the closest kinship to Carl Sandburg. Other artists that inspire him include Robert Frost, William Carlos Williams, Irving Layton, and Leonard Cohen.
Michael has been published in over 23 countries, and his latest poetry chapbook, From Which Place the Morning Rises, and his new photo version of The Lost American: from Exile to Freedom are available here. He is also the editor of four poetry sites, all of which can be found on his personal blog.
If you're interested in learning more about Michael Lee Johnson, please do check out this interview.
If you're interested in purchasing one of his books, look for them on Amazon, Borders, and Lulu.
And now, for the first time on Ad Hominem, sit back and enjoy three video poems, which Michael was kind enough to record exclusively for us.
Perhaps it isn't surprising that his poetry sometimes seems to channel Allen Ginsberg, as Michael Lee Johnson lists Ginsberg among his heavy influences. If you asked him, however, he'd probably tell you that he feels the closest kinship to Carl Sandburg. Other artists that inspire him include Robert Frost, William Carlos Williams, Irving Layton, and Leonard Cohen.
Michael has been published in over 23 countries, and his latest poetry chapbook, From Which Place the Morning Rises, and his new photo version of The Lost American: from Exile to Freedom are available here. He is also the editor of four poetry sites, all of which can be found on his personal blog.
If you're interested in learning more about Michael Lee Johnson, please do check out this interview.
If you're interested in purchasing one of his books, look for them on Amazon, Borders, and Lulu.
And now, for the first time on Ad Hominem, sit back and enjoy three video poems, which Michael was kind enough to record exclusively for us.
Hookers on Archer AvenueLate evening, early morning, I search the night for whores, young, bloody with desire. Night streets are silent streets accept for hookers and their Johns. One wants the dart of groins the other green eyes in dollar sacred treasures- snatch the wallet, a consecrated craft. Both hit the streets quickly satisfy needs quickly. I’m an old buck now rich with memories more than movement, still talk, take porn shots, with a peeking eye, snoop around department store corners, and dumpy old alleyways. My hair is gray, my teeth eroding, thoughts toward prayer A.M. Catholic Mass, then off in early morning to the mailbox, a lethargic walk, I pick up my social security check- comforts my needs. Evening settles into bed time with a western romance novel, ambushes, excitement, old transgressions stretch and relax. No desires, homage to the day, to the night. -2010- |
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