"Head Trauma" was just awarded the Silver Medal for Best Poetry book of 2006 by the Independent Book Publishers of America, the association of small and university presses around the nation. The likes of Hunter S. Thompson, David Byrne and Alan Thicke only got honorable mentions (in other categories, obviously).
Book Description:
Head Trauma: Sonnets and Other Poems is Emmy-winning writer and producer Gary David Johnson's first book of poetry. Though he has published short stories in the horror-fantasy genre, poetry remains his passion. Until recently, however, creating the "perfect poem" seemed to be just out of his grasp.In 2005, Johnson realized that his poetic compositions were far from his former idealistic definition of the perfect poem. He wasn't even attempting to write a perfect poem; he was expounding, philosophizing, meditating, and reminiscing, but he wasn't writing what he had long ago defined as "poetry." Poetry requires discipline, and one of the definitions of discipline-in Johnson's dictionary, anyway-is the sonnet. With determination renewed, he set out to write one. After rewriting, polishing, and rewriting again, Johnson felt that he had at last found his true poetic voice.Johnson's poetry is immortalized in Head Trauma. His hope for you is that you enjoy it and maybe find the inspiration to discover your own "perfect poem" somewhere along the way.
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KIRKUS REVIEW:
HEAD TRAUMA:Sonnets and Other Poems
iUniverse Editor’s Choice
(116 pp.)
$12.95 paperback
December 13, 2006
A witty and often irreverent first collection of verse, from the Emmy Award–winning Supervising Producer and Head Writer of Jeopardy! The back cover photo of the author—open-shirted with a cigarette dangling from the corner of his mouth as he looks off with an air of annoyance—speaks volumes to the acerbic yet playful tone of this writer, who’s as comfortable with Auden and Thomas Gray as Dr. Seuss. Intriguingly, though, Johnson’s rather colloquial tackling of topics ranging from tattoos to serious metaphysical musings on mortality yields an engaging contrast when combined with his reliance on poetic form, particularly in terms of rhyme and meter. Atelling example can be found in the title piece, an extended “Mass†expounding on the folly of war and the cyclical nature of things. Johnson often overreaches with the sonic fireworks, as evidenced in his ripe use of alliteration—“The land is lush, a verdant paradise; / But lurking in the luxuries, the liceâ€â€”but his insights usually hit the mark: “With all man’s modern methods, he could not / Eliminate one forlorn, wandering tribe; / When earlier, Europe itself was brought / Down by a flea. / So what can one prescribe? / Apoem. That’s all. Not just a diatribe, / Even babes learn from simple nursery rhymes.†One of the most pointed stanzas here, in “Our Summer Trip to Oregon, 2005,†caustically describes “the man in the battered pickup on interstate 5,†showcasing this poet’s wry sense of humor: “It’s obvious he’s a man with strong opinions, / Though what they are is really quite a stumper; / For everything he’s killed is on his windshield, / And everything he knows is on his bumper.â€
Funny, unassuming and thoughtful poems.
About the Author:
Gary David Johnson was born and raised in Omaha, Nebraska. He has won seven Emmy Awards as writer and/or producer, and is married to Emmy-winning writer Michele Johnson. Now the supervising producer and head writer for Jeopardy!. Johnson lives in Topanga Canyon, California, and is the proud father of Eric, Benjamin, and Samantha.