Rising Star In The Illinois World Of Poetry

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THE LOST AMERICAN:  FROM EXILE TO FREEDOM

Review by:  Carol Ann Marcus

Lost American: From Exile to Freedom, by rising star, Michael Lee Johnson, poet and freelance writer, is about one man's journey into exile to Canada over the Vietnam War many years ago, his struggle, his survival, his road to recovery and strength manifesting itself through his prose, poems, and personal convictions.  Mr. Michael Lee Johnson now lives in Illinois, United States. We feel sure you will delight in his work. Michael is a poet, painting his words with a tender and gentle touch, allowing them to create a broad landscape with just a few deceptively simple strokes. Take a short flight into freedom and read the adventures of an unusual life, touching the moments many with an average eye simply miss. Whether it be the agony of self-imposed exile for a cause; or a tender moment with lights flickering in the dark, the emotions come through.  Here are two sample poems: 

From the dawn, dusty skies

comes the time when

the eagle flies-

without thought,

without aid of wind,

like a kite detached without string,

the eagle in flight leaves no traces,

no trails, no roadways-

never a feather drops

out of the sky.

 -1981-

In the first poem, Bread Crumbs for Starving Birds Michael is at his best with nature, as usual.  Most of his poems engulf the diminutive moments that fleet from glances to seconds and back again, leaving a sense of mystery and majesty. 

In the second poem, Flight of the Eagle one senses imagination, freedom, the desire to be free on the wind, tortured no more, left alone to survive.  Here a degree of mysticism prevails, a depth of intestacy, a genius wording of simplicity, a cover from the dark.  This little piece is a true reflection of the inward tenacity of the authors will, a testimony one can trust.

On the weak side, a few early love poems reflecting the time of the author’s youth invade the book; but, ironically, through their simplicity, and acceptance of what they are, actually functions  in a strange kind of way.

The interview at the end of the book helps to personalize the author with the events of his life, Vietnam, the struggle and glory inbetween.  A gap is missing with the flow of events from the beginning to the end only documented by the date the poems were written.

Overall, for a first book of poetry, this is a rising star in the world of Illinois poetry.  Michael Lee Johnson is force to be reckoned with, a spirit that yells to be heard.  Search the internet, you will find his voice everywhere.

Book Review by:  Carol A. Marcus, Independent Writer and Book Reviewer, Editor  writerillinois@yahoo.com