Review of White Whale by Frank Prem

Review of White Whale by Frank Prem

Picture credit: The cover of White Whale by Frank Prem depicting an enormous eye against a blue background. There is a leaping whale featured in the iris.

What Amazon says

swim
damn you

become
of-the-sand

your appointed task
is to be hunted
by me

I demand
you swim

Ahab the mariner and Moby the white whale inhabit a desert ocean together. One of them is dying.

Inspired by T.S. Eliot’s The Waste Land, Frank Prem takes readers on a spiritual voyage through uncharted oceans. A journey of the soul that can only end through transformation.

this
is the voice
with which
you will sing the song
to still
all of the world
that has ears
to hear
White Whale is the chronicle of a joyous redemption.

My review

I have read several of Frank Prem’s poetry books and enjoyed them all. I like his forthright style and how his poems slice right to the heart of issues.

I was attracted to the concept of White Whale due to its intriguing central concept of a whale out of its element and dying. The entire idea of unnatural nature or nature chaos captivated me. This collection does revolve around that central concept and expands it to include the character of Ahab, the mariner from Moby Dick and the whale’s enemy or nemesis, into the poetry. The initial poems are about this intriguing relationship.

«the whale blinks
rotates an enormous
blue
cetaceous eye
to follow the motion
and wake
of the little boat –
of
its old nemesis» from so many seas (such vast deaths)

«some
of the passing
spare a moment
to stare
also
at the distraught man
as he
silently
weeps» from spectacle (in the desert arena)

The poetry then moves on to examine themes of revenge, obsession, and a journey of redemption of the soul. The word pictures are vivid and beautiful.

«the shape
of a thought
is a swirling thing

smoke
and mist» from to rest (without fever)

«somewhere
it rises
like a feeling –
a sensation
of warmth –
that begins
at the bones» from edges shaved (throbbing on)

«the waves
that washed clean –
or
washed dirty –
have gone» from a wash of waves (and weaving)

If you enjoy poetry that inspires you to think deeply, you will love this inspiring collection of poems.

Purchase White Whale by Frank Prem
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/White-Whale-Frank-Prem-ebook/dp/B0CTDJX674
Frank Prem’s Amazon US author page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Frank-Prem/author/B07L61HNZ4

About Frank Prem

Picture caption: Frank Prem author photograph

Frank Prem has been a storytelling poet since his teenage years. He has been a psychiatric nurse through all of his professional career, which now exceeds forty years.

He has been published in magazines, online zines and anthologies in Australia, and in a number of other countries, and has both performed and recorded his work as spoken word.
He lives with his wife in the beautiful township of Beechworth in North East Victoria, Australia.
https://FrankPrem.com

Author’s Bio

Award-winning, bestselling author, Robbie Cheadle, has published sixteen children’s books and three poetry books. Her work also features in several poetry and short story anthologies.

Robbie also has two novels published under the name of Roberta Eaton Cheadle and has horror, paranormal, and fantasy short stories featured in several anthologies under this name.

The eleven Sir Chocolate children’s picture books, co-authored by Robbie and Michael Cheadle, are written in sweet, short rhymes which are easy for young children to follow and are illustrated with pictures of delicious cakes and cake decorations. Each book also includes simple recipes or biscuit art directions which children can make under adult supervision.

Robbie and Michael Cheadle have recently launched a new series of children’s books called Southern African Safari Adventures. The first book, Neema the Misfit Giraffe is now available from Amazon.

You can find Robbie Cheadle’s artwork, fondant and cake artwork, and all her books on her website here: https://www.robbiecheadle.co.za/