At the Foot of Heaven

By Jubilee Publishing Group, Kevin Max Smith, Anonymous

No Synopsis Available.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1562331108
• ISBN13: 9781562331108
• Release Date: January 1994
• Publisher: Star Song Pub Co
• Length: 124 Pages
• Weight: 0.80 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.3" x 0.8" x 5.8"

Customer Reviews

An unsung hero among contemporary American poetry

I heard about this inventive little poetry book after stumbling upon Kevin Max's very original and poignant musical album, "Stereotype Be." As a college English student and a lover of good literature and poetry, I was curious to see if Max's written words were as inspiring and lyrically original as his music, and I was willing to spend a little extra to obtain a copy of this rare book. Needless to say, I found myself captivated by this work, which is an intriguing exercise in untraditional but very well-written meter, rhythm, and vocabulary in contemporary poetry. In addition, Max's (writing as Kevin Max Smith, a last name I understand that he had dropped) themes are clear and his imagery is provocative, and while he doesn't attempt to be too abstract with his work here as most contemporary poets strive to be, he does present very well-written poems with simple messages and well-executed meter. As I have stated, the most interesting aspect of Max's work is by far his exercise in vocabulary and meter. Max is very interested in maintaining traditional meter in most of his poems, bringing to mind, at least rhythmically, the best of Roethke and even Yeats. The poems in particular that demonstrate this talent are the excellent "Queen of the Nile," "Draw Nigh," and "Awake at Night." While these poems are never quite in perfect iambic pentameter, Max clearly knows his poetic devices and uses them effectively, creating his own interesting rhythms within the meter. Even in poems which are free-verse in nature, Max successfully keeps a steady rhythm throughout and displays some creative usage of assonance and particularly alliteration (a good example of both can be found in "My Reoccurring Desert Dream," "Vanity," and "Wilt Thou?"). I would say that this book must be best read aloud to appreciate Max's unique rhythm to its fullest potential (as all good poetry should be).In addition, Max clearly engages in a breathtaking love affair with word play which is often so clever that the reader will only catch it after several reads. Take the poem "Jordan's Kiss and Then Some," in which Max cuts the word "Mother" in half at the end of a line, so that the word reads "Moth-/er." Here, we are given a clear description of this "mother." By simply cutting the word and emphasizing "moth," the reader understands the motivations and characteristics of this particular character. There are many little details thrown into this book similar to this example, and in addition, Max's vocabulary includes words I never thought could fit into a poem as well as he utilizes them. Words like "retroaction," "placation," and "kamikaze" somehow manage to find themselves seamlessly placed into Max's poems, and they manage to maintain both meter and rhythm. Who knew? Evidently, Max did.Thematically, "At the Foot of Heaven" is a little more under whelming, but this doesn't make them at all disappointing. Clearly, this book is an exercise in meter and form, so if the themes and images are a

Great Poet

I love Kevin Max, he's my role model and this book is totally amazing! If you love poetry, like me, then get it. The tape is good too, he has some emphasis in his voice than he does in "Alas My Love" or "There's A Treason At Sea" which is on the dc Talk CD's. Really good. I had to go to eBay and bid on it!

profound and brilliant

Kevin Max is a gifted writer, his poems are brilliant and intriguing. This book is full of passion and vulnerablity, there is something in it for everyone.Kevin takes you through his veiw of the spiritual world as well as our nature as human beings.Kevin writes from his heart and in turns touches the readers heart. I would definitely recomment this book to anyone who loves poetry, kmax is the best!

Everyone should have a copy of this book. K-max rocks!!!!!!

Kevin Max is so gifted. He has the best singing voice, is a talented writer, and is also not bad looking(not at all). I thank God for using him and giving him his talents. If you don't have this book, get. I read 2 poems and a chapter of the Bible before I go to bed, along with the dc Talk cd playing. K-max rocks, and so does the Lord!! God Bless! cammie

Awesome!!

This book is awesome! Kevin is truly a talented writer, not to mention an awesome singer. :o) If you're thinking of buying this book, its well worth it.