John Apple

Book Summary

by John Peyton Alexander, II

         It is often said that good poetry is written in response to other poetry.

Reflections On Sam Stone is a collection of poems, essays and character sketches consistent with this maxim.

The title work is written in response to a song by John Prine. The first section answers a poem written by Alfred, Lord Tennyson at the advent of the Industrial Revolution; Section III contains character sketches based on a title by James Joyce; and the fourth section describes the poet's muse inspired by a miracle prescription drug.

          Woven throughout the book are words of inspiration spoken by Nobel Laureate William Faulkner.

          With the present-day “wars and rumors-of-wars”, and prophets-of-doom predicting catastrophe for the human race, Reflections On Sam Stone, by John Peyton Alexander, II, outlines a return to family-values, and forecasts that humankind will not only endure our social problems and political challenges:  we will prevail over them.

          Drawing on his own personal struggles, with long imprisonments and a challenging bipolar condition, Alexander witnesses that Jesus Christ did not die for nothin’, contrary to the suggestion of the 1970s folk-song, “Sam Stone”.

          Alexander also includes an insightful epic poem, “Locksley Hall Revisited”, in answer to Tennyson’s prophetic vision.

          This is a book worth reading!

Copyright © 2008 John P. Alexander, II and John Apple.  All rights reserved worldwide.