Customer Reviews

The Lords and the New Creatures

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"The Lords and the New Creatures" is a collection of poetry by Jim Morrison, who was lead singer of The Doors. The book is divided into two sections: "The Lords: Notes on Vision," and "The New Creatures." This is one of those intriguing books that I by chance picked off the shelf in a bookstore and just began reading there in the aisle; I found Morrison's work so engrossing that within a few minutes I knew I had to buy the book and explore it more deeply.

The first division of the book is dominated by prose poems. This portion of the book is a combination of mystical/philosophical treatise and cultural criticism, often supplemented with historical references; here Morrison sounds like the love child of William Blake and Roland Barthes. The second part of the book consists largely of free verse and is more enigmatic; with its sometimes nightmarish imagery, "The New Creatures" strikes me as Morrison's own personal Book of Revelation.

An important theme in this book is the archetypal city: "a ring of death / with sex at its center." Morrison also writes about the alchemist, the voyeur, and other figures. Much of the book deals with the motion picture as both art and cultural institution. Throughout the book are hallucinogenic swirls of cross-cultural references and allusions: Yoga, the assassin Oswald, hermaphroditism, the Christian trinity, Tarot cards, ventriloquism, lynching, etc.

In "The Lords and the New Creatures," Morrison seems to be trying to attain a unified vision/theory that encompasses both modern technology and humanity's mythic heritage. His poetic language is often quite startling. This is a remarkable volume by an artist who is himself an iconic figure in 20th century pop culture.

The only authorized examples of Morrison's poetry were issued in 1969 as private limited editions of only 100 copies each. Later American editions became essential reading, not only for fans of The Doors but for all with an interest in contemporary American verse. The Lords and The New Creatures are an important appendix to the breathtaking music Jim left behind. Great Poetry book done by a great american poet!

Fall down.
Strange gods arrive in fast enemy poses.
Their shirts are soft marrying
cloth and hair together.
All along their arms ornaments
conceal veins bluer than blood
pretending welcome.
Soft lizard eyes connect.
Their soft drained insect cries erect
new fear, where fears reign.
The rustling of sex against their skin.
The wind withdraws all sound.
Stamp your witness on the punished ground.

Buy this book! I highly recommend it!

"Wake-up!"..." Is everybody in, everybody in? The ceremony is about to begin. Let me tell you about surrealism and the lost god."For those who are sincere to themsleves and can dig deep into the soul, you could indeed capture the poetry in which life is all about. Poetry gives life form, most people see poetry as a series of rhyming words. They have got it all wrong. Jim explored the world not as how he would of wanted it to be, but the way this world already is. Some people show ignorance in the disorder that we are sorrounded with, Jim didn't. He was a poet of truth, that's what Jim tells us in this book.

Jim Morrison is one of the unsung heroes of his generation in the literary scene. But, his poems are just as good, if not greater. Surprisingly, his poetic style is different from his lyric style. There is no rhyme scheme, and all his works are direct thoughts. All are perceptive of our society, and its imperfections. My only problem with this book is that the publisher granted an entire page to one poem, which may only be two lines long. Although, this may be good for the individual who is into taking notes, and hanging upon Morrison's every word. This does help, because his poems require intense meditation. I find that each phrase, and each verse can have as many as five different meanings. They can be taken literally, or as he would've meant, on the metaphorical level. In short, if you are a fan of his work with the Doors, or have an interest in Beat Literature, then this is the book for you. Prepare to be blown away!

The Lords segment of the book had some good quotations and some very unique and enigmatic images, whereas the New Creatures did not make that much sense, at least read in a normal mindframe. There probably is a deeper meaning behind Jim's LSD/whiskey drenched verses, but in this book, many of his meanings are layered by either weird metaphors or incoherence. At the same time, it's also enigmatic and it makes you wonder what he was thinking or what he was trying to say.

Jim's poetry is a gift to anyone who reads it. Everybody has poetry, but not everyone writes it down or allows others to read it. To be privy to another man's soul is an indescribable experience. If you don't understand the words that doesn't make the poetry "bad", there is no such terminology for art, it transcends all judgement. You may say you don't like it which actually means you don't understand it. You cannot however judge it. That is the odyssey of art and that is also why so many chose to escape into the lawless land of truly free expression. So tap into another man's soul and surround yourself with his words. No laws. No judge. No jurors.

I can understand that people who are so into Morrison could read this and walk away feeling like they've been blessed and enlightened by the greatest poet they've ever read, BUT, c'mon. This stuff isn't really all that good. Bits and Fragments of thoughts abound, nothing really cohesive throughout. Jim talks alot about his views of cinema and society as some monster of its own free will. Fans should seriously check out Wilderness and American Night, as well as the American Prayer CD. All of which are much more understandable and, not to mention, enjoyable to have. Add this one to the collection though. It is Jimmy darnit. But, if you want real poetry, get the Doors illustrated lyrics book. Now THAT's some real good writin'!

For those that try to smite Morrison as a poet, this is the book which makes him immune from all their criticism. His descriptions of cinema and his observations throughout this book are extremely original and interesting, and to comment about his form is to assume that there is an essence one must conform to to be considered a poet;that would be unforgivable. With his poetry, Morrison tries to speak in his own personal language, and there is only one word which can describe the overall feeling this book exudes: Shamanistic.

A true voice of america, a view point not often seen, heard or understood. Sit with this book, under the stars, or with the ocean waves pulsing at your feet, and the meanings will flow through you like liquid lightning. Slow down, read it, think about the dazzling words, and the more incrediable images Jim paints with his unique language... america misses bold poets like these... long live morrison . . . read it . . .

This collection was privately published while Morrison was still alive. It contains his early poetry, full of epigrams and philosophical fragments of observation on film, sex, mysticism, night-life, and society, among other things. I think it's his best and most readable poetry.

David Rehak
author of "Poems From My Bleeding Heart"