Take a cup of coffee, sip the hot, alluring liquid, twirl it up and down your tongue, and let your eyes follow the lines of poems from the book Coffee House Poems by Elliot M. Rubin held in your hand.
“banned books
can be more powerful
than armies”
Elliot M. Rubin’s “Coffee House Poems” is a refreshing collection that masterfully intertwines themes of love, regret, carefree days of childhood, war and social bigotry in the most unconventional ways that track the readers’ attention with wise experience and sunny humour.
Elliot’s pen questions the societal norms, gives voices to those who are unheard, provokes his readers to meaningful conversations and innovates a unique style of beat tradition in language, punctuation, and stanza pattern. This unconventionality is the distinct feature of all his poems. Again, his unique voice shines through his use of plain language, welcoming readers from all walks of life.
“Writing a Love Poem” is a lighthearted poem exploring the complexities of love most playfully. “Glitches” hints at the imperfections of life and the quirks of human experience. “The Pruner” explains the creative process and the role of editing in poetry. Here the author’s tone is reflective and insightful. Again “Murder Morning” deals with the darker aspects of life and the struggle with inner demons. “Eating” is a rebellious voice exposing the nakedness of human vanity regarding warfare.
“war
is a slaughterhouse
without porterhouse
to kill humans
not humanely
not for consumption.”
In Elliot’s pen American life is highlighted through his mentioning of contemporary singers, music, and political upheavals. In most of his poems, I discovered shiny humour with streaks of wit pruning the grave message he wants to share with his readers.
