Wayne Mason/The Death Factory/LJMcD Communications
Wayne Mason and I have been Florida born Poets and have known each other for over 20 years. We both know what it takes to be Florida Poets and we’ve always had a healthy respect for each other.
I felt Wayne’s last chapbook was some of the best Poetry I’ve ever read, so when he asked me to review his new book, I jumped at the chance. I mean fuck, it’s been at least a year since I’ve reviewed anything so it was time. Hell since then someone else has texted me and asked me to review their new upcoming book, but that’s the next story. Needless to say, I am once again active.
When Wayne told me the book was cut-ups I didn’t know what to think. I always saw cut- ups as being restrictive to creativity or spontaneity. But it was Wayne Mason so I said okay.
I started reading the Poems, and I started to see something that I did not expect, these Poems have rhythm. I had to stop and write Wayne. Ask him if these were really cut-ups because I’ve read the first three Poems and they have rhythm. He answered yes, they do have rhythm, that all of his cut-up Poems have rhythm. Just the Poems, not the prose.
I continued reading the Poems, I read the whole book straight through. The rhythms made it flow better. I have to say that I am still amazed. The mastery that it takes to exert such control, to even make something spontaneous as a cut-up sing like a song. I know, few people would recognize such a thing.
First things first we get an error message resembling a Poem. Then the preface, that the author tells us was written in the factory. He goes on to explain how he has failed at everything he has set out to do, now he just wants to cut it all up.
Next the introduction, a manifesto that ends most perfectly, “If you see Buddha in the road, slay him. If you see Burroughs, cut him up.”
So now we get into the meat, the Poems. These Poems lure you in, sweetly. You follow the path, you find it is short, and the end is lined in razor wire, and it cuts.
The Death Factory Poems are numbered. Number 2 really stands out, calling the factory “Lovecraftian”. Number 6 refers to crooked limbs reaching upwards out of Hell.
It goes on about the routine, illusion, and soul trap that the factory has become.
The second part is Discarded Dreams From Apocalypse America. More Poems about becoming more mechanical than human. These have titles.
The Post Script is a single prose piece, “Derrida Draws Word Circles With Abstract Fingers”.
Overall, I will say this: Wayne Mason is a writer that knows no limits. I’ve always known this about Wayne, this goes on to prove that point more. He is miles ahead of modern literature.
You can tell by his work, cut clean to the bone. No extra motion. Like I said, to exert such control of a spontaneous art like cut-up. This just proves Mason has truly mastered his craft.
If I had to compare Wayne’s work to anything I would say the closest comparison I could come up with would be Amsel Berrigan.
If you’re in the mood for something different, something not like other things, something totally unique, this might be just what you’re looking for.
THE DEATH FACTORY can be purchased here https://www.amazon.com/Death-Factory-Wayne-Mason/dp/B0FLWR1N15
Over the years Michael D. Grover has become a legendary underground Poet. Back in the early 2000s he ran Covert Press and worked with many of the giants of underground Poetry. Michael has been published in countless publications all over the World and published over fifteen books of Poetry. Michael spent over ten years as head Poetry editor of the literary zine Red Fez. Michael has published two novels. Michael currently lives in Florida, dealing with cancer, with his dog where he meditates every day.
