Review: Poet Tom Conroys Beyond The Second Traffic Light

Author: Tom Conroy

ISBN: 1598004654

The following review was contributed by: Editor of Bookpleasures. CLICK TO VIEW

To read Norm's Interview With Poet Tom Conroy

With his second poetry collection, Beyond the Second Traffic Light, Tom Conroy has once again reaffirmed Robert Frost’s statement that “poetry is a way of taking life by the throat." The result is page after page of splendid poetry containing polished diction, picturesque, fanciful images and musical words. Moreover, this second collection is very impressive with its varied tones and treatments.

Here is a talented poet who should not be cast aside or forgotten, for he is a poet whose facility for language minutely explores the themes of nature, derelicts, bar room singers, backyards, malls, nature, parental relationships, daily life, death, South America in the 80’s, and many more.

His fondness for naturalistic effects can best be illustrated in Nocturnal Dancing: “Rose petals browning, / falling, dancing on/ the mulch in a/breeze. Still curvaceous, edges/dying quickly, / Fool moon, night/is silver cold."

Perhaps it is painful when he describes Rio De Janero in the 80’s: “Ipanema where the/Rich wear no clothes/Armed guards patrol/The beaches. /Children run the streets/In gangs and prey/Upon each other" however, it illustrates a poet who has a great deal to contribute and stories to tell about violence and victims-something that is missing from many of today’s poetry.

In addition to his philosophical musings and political comments, Conroy constantly reminds us of our surroundings and relationship to nature, as he illustrates in the changing seasons: Carpe Annum: “(November) Rose leaves brown, / small bud bursting, / slow and final."

Although many of Conroy’s poems require multiple readings to decipher their true meanings, it certainly is well worth the time and effort. On first reading these poems they seem to be quite within easy reach of our comprehension, however, after two or three re-readings, we notice how a word or phrase has been left unnoticed or how a slight rhythm was ignored. We also notice how they are particularly thematically strong, as illustrated in his depiction of Santa Catarina, Brazil, “Bavaria transported, / Brazilians not found/ Here. Home away/ From Germany since/ 1899. / Brautwurst and beer/ Fests."

As a collection, Beyond the Second Traffic Light more than satisfies. These poems will have us coming back time and time again, as the poetic voice evokes in us a sense of meditation concerning our surroundings, as well as deep introspection pertaining to our purposes in life.