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by Larry Jaffe 30 Poems/ 68 Pages/ $17.00 USD Publisher: Local Gems Press Their URL Reviewed by: - Michael Ellis, Poet M.e. If our next President was prudent, Secretary of Poetry would be a new cabinet position and Larry Jaffe would be appointed on day one. Jaffe believes what he writes and you too will believe after you read this incredible book. It has been many years since I have read a poetry book this Revolutionary. It is filled with enough weapons, ammo, and firepower to make the Texas Freedom Party salivate. But to my dismay, you won't find this book at the next Mississippi back roads gun show. They would hate every word. This book is for healers and people who cherish peace. For 68 pages, Jaffe is armed and dangerously poetic, taking on landladies, flower ladies, strangers in parking lots and anyone else who doesn't believe that poetry is just as great as a violin. If I had the money and enough Postage stamps, I would mail this book to every, racist, bigot, terrorist and Homophobe South, East, North and West of the Nile River. 30 Aught 4 is a book as innovative as its title. Poems titled, Solutions to War, Poet Warrior and The Living Fields remain in your mind long after you read the book. I must admit my favorite poem in the book is Blood Sweat and Fear. You just have to meet Jaffe's landlady. The nerve of her not to take poetry for rent. The title poem, rightfully so, is one of the best in the book. Jaffe builds the intensity as we follow a soldier on a brave mission. He locates his target, adjusts his weapon, aims and shoots poetry. No one gets killed in Jaffe's war. In Poet Warrior, Jaffe gives his landlady a break and takes his fight to the "Department of Literature and Poetry." His new weapon: "the arrows of haiku and the sharpened knives of the blues." But worry not because this poet has a clear Solution to War. Instead of dropping bombs, drop McDonald's hamburgers, which are just as lethal according to the poet. What is most amazing about 30 Aught 4 is how it remains on point. No pun intended. This is a difficult accomplishment in poetry. Not one indication of Poetry Deficit Disorder. This book is beautifully arranged from beginning to end. It never rambles nor loses focus. As soon as the reader needs laughter, there it is. As soon as the reader needs to feel hope, there it is. Jaffe who is notorious for his Blues poetry does not resist the urge to bless this book with this gift. Don't worry about him running out of Blues because he has a "bag full." I could tell you to read The Silence of The Tears or even J'accuse but I won't. I can't give it all away. I hope I don't offend the writer by saying this is possibly the most important book he has ever written. I would encourage anyone on or off the Poetry Planet to read this book. It is a defining work. It is a work of art, a Bouquet of Poetry.
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