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Poetry and Drawings by Robert Whyte and Peter Anderson - reviewed in Semper Floreat
I may not be a truck driver, cat breeder, metal worker or mechanic -- merely a goodladywife and motherofsix, but I did enjoy "Negative Thinking".
Pete Anderson's and Robert Whyte's book of prose poems is wild, witty and highly original. It is attractively arranged and very well illustrated with fun, amusing line drawings.
Peter Anderson's poems are like strings of tantalising coloured glass beads, reflecting forgotton memories, bit and pieces of dreams and back to front negative images.
Two poems are different in treatment and both are outstanding. "Car; a descriptive piece of a car accident as recorded on the busily humming electric light poles and wires, is chilling and accurate in its imagery.
The tender and beautiful love poem, "The Fragility of Shadows' surprised me. The strong protective male and the delicate fragile woman he loves still exist. I was charmed.
Robert Whyte, the orange haired Dali, paints his abstract word pictures with the imprudence and gusto of the great surrealist. So what if you don't understand it the first time around. Try again -- it's great fun unlocking the puzzle. "The Fur Coat in Hell" is my favourite. How's this for the opening lines? "Mammoths hide in the ice, turning, matted hides and glistening tusks polished and new. The locksmith travels nearby, the ice hammer in his hands."
The locksmith appears regularly -- I know who he is but I'm not telling! Perhaps Robert's finest poem is "Agreement", a sad and moving account of two lonely people having the courage to come together -- "Windows open and shut and their eyes stare out into open distances, dangerous zones are repeatedly outlined, warnings are ignored, they walk without concern, their brave hearts sounding to whole orchestras of purpose."
I am not qualified to write a poetry review, but perhaps that is the best qualifications of all. After reading "Negative Thinking' I am convinced that the whole world is insane except Peter Anderson and Robert Whyte.
This anonymous (?) piece turned up on a desk in Semper Office, so although we're not certain of its origins we decided to publish it in case it stimulates readers into finding out for themselves whether Negative Thinking is as good as it says. -- Semper Editors (The author was Rita St Ledger -- RW)
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