DRIVING W/ CRAZY by Jack Henry, reviewed by Belinda Subraman

 

This book begins with multi-layered poems and stories/essays recalling Jack's relationship and memories of his father.  It rings true with no sugar coating. Anyone who has sat with or attended a dying parent will identify strongly.  Even if you’ve never sat with a loved one dying you will find the writing beautiful, moving and deep.  Below I will give excerpts from a few pieces.  Hopefully you will buy the book, Driving W/Crazy to gather a full experience and appreciation of Jack Henry's writing.

From My Father

as my father grows older / i watch intently / knowing one-day i will be in the same place / the same space / the same chair / fighting against and losing against / time itself / 

at 80 he's lived a while /
at 55 i am not sure i will make it that far / 

From Finding the Strength to Lead my Father Home

for a moment. 

we share the same eyes,
same nose,
same giant head that could be used as advertising space. 

we share everything. 

my reflection is 80. his is 55.
he is dying.
i am barely here. 

Last paragraph from The Time I Remember Best

"We probably got home late and I probably fell asleep in the car. But I know I couldn’t wait for the next game, and there was a next game, but not like that one. That game was the best, the kind of baseball game that becomes a memory, not because of the game, but because of a father that stood up for his kid, and lost his voice in the process." 

By page 30 poems appear with tales from youth which sometimes involve fist fights, kicks, knives, guns and bullies woven in among poems about his father’s bi polar behavior.

From Lemons and Oranges

on the day i took
lemons and oranges
to the crossing guard,
the big kids,
the bullies,
quickly cornered me
and my friends, trying to tear the bag away from me. 

my mom always
told me not to fight, she thought i
would hurt someone. even in 4th grade. 

turns out, she was right. 

Sweet and tough, like life, this book will resonate with all.

From My Father's Eyes

we all dance in front of a mirror 

and only stop when they take 

the mirror away, 

and blue eyes slowly close. 

Jack Henry is a writer/publisher/editor based in Southeastern California and has been an announcer on the Blogtalk Radio show Rob&Jack America, publisher of Heroin Love Songs, and editor in charge at d/e/a/d/b/e/a/t press. In late 2009 Jack started to gain acceptance with a variety of on-line and print lit zines. Several chapbooks followed as well as two full-length collections, With the Patience of Monuments (NeoPoesis Press) and Crunked (Epic Rites Press).

After a 9-year hiatus from all things writing Jack returned in late 2019 to the small press world.

Driving w/Crazy, from PUNK HOSTAGE PRESS, is Jack’s first full length publication in 12 years.