Customer Reviews

Fields of Wonder

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This is a book of poems by this thoughtful song writer, poet and composer. McKuen is known for his folk songs reflecting on the absurdities or mystical possibilities of life. A band I led in college recorded one of McKuen's songs, "Suzanne," in 1971. I have always been drawn to his haunting style and lyrical poetry leading the mind into spiritual insights beyond the mundane.

McKuen's mystifying voice and hypnotic lyrics lure the listener into the spiritual realities only slightly hidden behind the bustle within and around us. As I read the poems in this little volume, I could hear his soulful voice delivering the lines to his hypnotic, souring finger-picking guitar chord sequences. McKuen's art awakens the slighted spirit to alert awareness to the rich mystery of life and spiritual connection of all god's creation, seen or unseen.

I happened upon this volume in a used book store, discovering for the first time that he also wrote poetry not intended originally as songs. It is too bad that this volume of reflections is currently out of print.

Here he presents reflections on life and relationships in the surrealistic and mystical style of the late 60's and early 70's. The title reflects the sense of amazement, awe and wonder I sense in his music. As I look upon the wonders of the universe and the complexity of life, I feel a majestic wonder at it all, and discover a kindred awareness in McKuen's poetry.

These odes present some insightful comments about religious structures that bind rather than free people. The weary, regimented ordinariness of common religion is enough to wear down any lively soul! The believer can find respite here, a comfort that he is not the only one weary of the pretense and institutionalization. Meanwhile the skeptic will find some ironic satisfaction that another has observed the absurdity of much of common religious life in our society.