Customer Reviews

Poetic Musings of an Old, Fat Man

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This book of poetry, "Poetic Musings of an Old, Fat Man" won the Honorable Mention award in the Fiction, Poetry category for the 2008 Reader Views Literary Awards.

One poem in this book, a free-verse poem entitled "The Assembled Waiters", won a High Distinction award (and $200 cash prize) in the 2008 Tom Howard Poetry Contest.

"Poetic Musings of an Old, Fat Man' is a collection of award-winning poetry!

I was a poet long before I was a novelist or book reviewer. My first self-published book was a pop up book of poetry which was literally assembled by hand in the 4th grade for a young author's grade school event. In college, I continued to write poetry and fell in love with the words of Frost and Dickinson. Having only recently rekindled my affair with Miss Emily's words, I was eager to read more verse and from a fresh new voice. I'd had much success with the poetry I've reviewed here on the blog to date, so I knew Lulu was the perfect place to start. I didn't have to look far. Poet Harry Gilleland, Jr. had quieried us some time ago with his third collection of poetry entitled Poetic Musings of an Old, Fat Man.

Based on the title alone, I was expecting a book of humorous limericks and rhyming political commentary, and while there are a few of those within the pages, Gilleland offers much more than that. I was completely amazed at his vast but thorough range of subject matter. From a poem about the candiru fish (which is known to lodge itself inside someone's urethra) to another about a pack of vicious ankle biting chihuahuas, Gilleland treats his subject matter with the utmost seriousness. The rhyming technique, verse, and pattern which he uses to craft his so-called "storoems" (story poems) is so unique that you almost forget the humor just for the appreciation of his word use.

The book is divided into four styles of poetry: rhyming and storeoms, limericks (of which there are only two), acrostic poems, and free verse. Gilleland has broken up the candid poems with other verses that are indeed of a more serious subject matter such has having to put a pet to sleep or a child dealing with the divorce of his parents. But his crisp style remains tight and to the point throughout. There are no wasted words, as one of my college professors used to say.

One of the true purposes of poetry for a reader is not just to discover what the poet was intending to convey, but to find how you relate to the poem. Gilleland does a superb job of presenting an array of poems that are easy to understand and will certainly capture the attention, and the heart, of every reader. Some of his well-known subjects came right from the headlines such as the tiger attacks in the California zoo or the effects Hurricane Katrina had on New Orleans. Like conversations we share with old friends, these are events that each of us know in a different way but it's still nice to take the time to listen to someone else's view point.

I particularly liked the sections where Gilleland spends two or three poems on one specific theme. There are two poems about his dogs near the beginning. One is a cheerful poem while the other is very sad. There's another about a soldier having to leave for war, followed by another poem about the soldier in battle, then one about a soldier's death and another about Memorial Day. Each poem can stand completely on its own, but together they capture a nice vignette of words and thoughts.

My favorites were two poems about Hummingbirds. In one, Gilleland ponders the thought of the birds leaving for winter and how he anticipates their return because it means warmer weather will be returning with them. The next poem is about a daughter promising her dying mother she'll continue to feed the hummingbirds after she's gone. The appearance of a white hummingbird becomes the vision of hope and healing after a tragic event.

At 63 years of age and an old Southerner, Gilleland also ponders how the world and technology has changed our social interaction with one another in magnificent poems entitled "I Remember When" and "The Pleasure of Old-Fashioned Letters." His good nature shines in fun verse about women obsessing over their hair, and in another play on words about a man wanting to rub cream on his wife's hard and cracked "pair" in a poem called "Can't Touch Them."

Verse after verse, this poet is to be commended for his true talent with words. I dog eared a dozen pages to possibly quote in this review, but the book must really be experienced as a whole. But you don't have to take my word for it. Just read the number of reviews of praise Harry's books have already received on Amazon.com before me. Even if you don't like poetry all that much or find it hard to understand, Harry Gilleland, Jr. writes with such heart that there is truly something here for everyone. I will leave you with one verse that still resonates with me long after I closed this book...

If humans were able to see their soul
while alive, it would become certain then
that all the virtues they would extol;
the world would be filled with better men.

Harry Gilleland will give you pause as you read his Poetic Musings of an Old, Fat Man, a sometimes reflective, sometimes funny and always contemplative book of rhyming poems and storoems (a term evidently coined by the author). You will laugh, cry and enjoy the thoughts that he has put into poetry for you (and himself).
Mr. Gilleland covers almost all aspects of life in this book of poetry - home life, local events, world affairs and just plain old happenings. And just think - any of them could have happened to you at some time in your life.
You will want to go back to these anecdotes in poem and storoem over and over to muse along with the author. As you reread them, you will find new and interesting outlooks in the wording, the stanzas or the whole work.

Here is an example of his work from "Dog Pack Attack":

"The officer said, "In an hour or so I'll be back
at work. After all, it was just a Chihuahua pack.
Being attacked by angry Chihuahuas rankles
since mostly they do injury to your ankles."

Although this does not tell the whole storoem, it gives an insight to Mr. Gilleland's sense of humor that is written into his book of poems and storoems and will persuade you to want to read more of this talented writer's works. You cannot miss reading this thought provoking book, whether you are a poet at heart or not.
Harry E. Gilleland was born and raised in Macon, Georgia and now lives in Shreveport, Louisiana with wife, Linda. Retired from a career as a Professor of Microbiology at LSU Health Sciences Center in Shreveport, he now devotes himself full-time to his writing. He writes novels and novellas as well as poetry and prose

To me poetry can be seen as rather personal to the poet and the intended meanings that come from deep within the poet's heart and soul are not always clear to me, but I have to say I enjoyed (and understood) many of these storoems and poems in this collection. In fact, Poetic Musings of an Old, Fat Man was an enjoyable, stimulating read. Gilleland's simple, forthright style is part of this poet's charm. This doesn't mean it lacks depth, far from it, the subjects he writes about are all things I can relate to, people, emotions, relationships, animals and disasters for example, which brought a whole range of emotions to the surface, from happy to sad. At the bottom of a couple of poems are brief explanations to what inspired him, which is a nice touch. I have to say I do have a preference for rhyming poems, storoems, limericks and acrostic poems, but for those who like free-verse, he has written those as well, and with over 80 poems there is plenty to chose from. All in all I was pleasantly surprised with this collection, and I am enjoying being able to pick this book up and reread various poems at my leisure. In addition, this book has also won the Readers Views 2009 Reviewers Choice Award. Other books by this author include, Poetry for the Common Man, Gilleland Poetry, Bob the Dragon Slayer (prose) and White Lightening Road (prose).

A lot of the poems in Poetic Musings of an Old, Fat Man by Harry Gilleland are poems people can relate to. At times I have felt like the person in the poem feels. "Born for Greatness" is my favorite poem. Many people strive to do something great with their life. I love how the poem ends on what people thought of the man dying. It shows you that what we think of ourselves may not be the same as others see us. Another favorite is "Memories of Boyhood Summers" as it brought up memories of when I was child. I grew up with two brothers and can see them and I doing fun summertime stuff. Now I treasure every moment watching my three boys creating summertime memories.

I highly recommend this book. It will be a wonderful pleasure in your life.

In this book Gilleland covers everything from everyday life to historical events including love, beauty, politics, religion, birth, death, etc. His poems are really about the meaning of life, and, like life itself, are sometimes humorous, sometimes poignant, tragic and joyous, and everything in between.

Harry Gilleland has been a friend for several years. We've been writers together and reviewed and commented on one another's poetry and novels. I've read most of Harry's books, and enjoyed them. However, Poetic Musings of an Old, Fat Man is by far my favorite.

Harry often uses his storoems and poems to reveal life in its glory and its despair. This collection is not different. I found myself laughing when I read "It," and agreeing completely with the message. When I read "Ghetto Dweller," my eyes filled with tears, but my heart cried from the pain evoked from Harry's words and insight.

Anyone reading Harry's words knows his love for his wife, his outlook on life, his sometimes quirky view of everyday happenings. He weaves all together so that readers can also "see" through his eyes.

Poetic Musings of an Old, Fat Man offers something for every one in over 150 pages, which contain rhyming poems and storoems, two limericks, acrostic poems, and free verse poems.

Not all poets are hipsters sitting on stools in clubs wearing berets. "Poetic Musings of an Old, Fat Man" is the third anthology of Harry Gilleland's work, and fans of the first two will undoubtedly find much to enjoy within. Focusing on the simpler things in life, "Poetic Musings of an Old, Fat Man" is highly recommended. "Louisiana Alligator" : In the bayou lived a big old gator./Everything else feared being lunch later./Cajun and gator tussled./Gator was soon out-muscled./It was stewed with peppers and a tater.

From the title, one would think that "Poetic Musings from an Old Fat Man" is strictly humorous. But in reality this is not the case. Sure, there are several poems within the collection that will make you laugh, but there are others that will evoke different types of emotions, whether it's happiness, sadness or even anger. I myself became emotional at the poem "A Soldier's Death." Why? Well, as a military wife, it presents a scenario that I always fear. But through the poem's brilliant prose, it helps me better understand the soldier's point-of-view. It also helps me appreciate the sacrifices military men and women go through to ensure their families and their country in general remains free.

Another poem that really got to me was "Darfur 2007." In simplistic yet elegant prose, "Darfur 2007" tells how many people are dying from the conflict. It also explains how racism and capitalism continue to fuel the world's apathy towards the situation. But maybe, just maybe if enough people see poems like this perhaps they will start to care.

Anyway, these are just a couple of examples of poems you have to look forward to in "Poetic Musings from an Old Fat Man". Dozens of others are available, each of which are categorized according to their writing style.

All in all, I highly recommend this book. Not only will the poems entertain you, but they will also stimulate your mind, as you begin to ponder some of the lessons they put forth.

This book illustrates my point that seniors should consider expressing their lives and their thoughts in poetic form. This book provides an interesting tour through the author's mind.

In categories including "Rhyming Poems and Storoems (Story Poems)," "Two Limericks," "Acrostic Poems," and "Free Verse Poems," Gilleland writes on many subjects serious and humorous.

"Women Just Don't Get It!" ends with these lines: "Most women simply fail to understand how deep / a man's passion runs. They just don't get it at all. / If they had any inkling, then they wouldn't keep / saying, 'Why get so excited? It's only football.'"

Senior experiences are reflected: "I stand looking wistfully / back at them, my yesterdays . . . / knowing now my yesterdays outnumber my tomorrows." In "What War Is," Gilleland sees war as "Mankind's brutality unleashed," "Failure of reason," "An abomination for all mankind," although he admits that war is sometimes unavoidable.

The final poem, "Ghetto Dweller," is written in the voice of a young man who experienced typical ghetto life: gangs, drugs, prison. "I wasn't 'fraid of nothing or nobody. / And nobody talked down to me." The young man's fate was to be gunned down in the street at age twenty-two. "What you gonna do? / 'Aint no way to break the ghetto cycle. / Just 'aint no way." Gilleland's observations about life in this and most of his other poems ring true.