Title: The Biography of an American Poet
Author: Dan B. Royer
Publisher: Publish America
ISBN: 1608139247
Pages: 64, Paperback
Genre: Poetry
Reviewed by: Gary Sorkin, Pacific Book Review
Pacific Book Review
Dan B. Royer has once again revealed himself, openly and candidly, as a sensitive and vulnerable human being; not unlike many of us, however with a gift of wordsmithing thoughts into prose, and sentences into rhymes. In his latest publication, The Biography of an American Poet, Dan B. Royer writes about events in his life which has shaped him into who he is today.He writes about things such as being embarrassed as a child, romantic passion for his loved ones, disappointment in others, the courage and fortitude of his military service; as well as scores of other events, circumstances and feelings. It is hard to imagine talking with Dan in a conversational way, as he effortlessly puts sentences into a poetic beat of a varying foot; together with a skilled and complex knack for rhyming words. Once the reader is engulfed in his style, you become pleasantly rewarded with his honest and unabashed reveal of emotions. His sensitivity of the world around him is far more than most people would care to write about. Masked behind the poetic script Dan B. Royer seems extraordinarily comfortable to let it all simply flow from his mind, through his fingers, and onto the pages of his autobiography.
To cite an example, one of my favorite poems is titled Passing Ships. It reads:
“A passing ship I see her well beautiful as I can tell. Should I chance upon her glance I now fall in her wayward trance. Her forward motion draws much emotion on my eye’s devotion to stare and do not care. Her face her eye’s brings much surprise. My mind cannot conceive what her beauty means to me. A spell upon my very soul as she seems to take control. She brings with her much surprise as I gaze into her big bright brown eyes. As she approaches a sudden breeze that nearly brings me to my knees. Her fragrance fills the cool autumn air sweet smell of flowers everywhere. Still not clear what to say and yet my eyes refuse to stray. As she draws near my mind is clear. However now I have no choice it seems as though I have lost my voice. All the words I have ever spoken my mind is bland I think I am broken. Now she is gone I have looked away now my thoughts go astray to crossing paths another day.”
Perhaps we all have had a moment like that, and if not, we can certainly feel the emotion Dan Royer brings to our attention.
This book is an ideal addition to a place where temporary time of varying length is available, such as in a waiting room or coffee house. As each poem is set upon its own page, and no poem is longer than one page, it is the type of book that can be picked up, read, and then placed down – only to start again at a later time. His poems are like candy, too much at one time are overwhelming, but one by one, slowly and spaced apart is the perfect way to enjoy the flavors of feelings portrayed in The Biography of an American Poet.
