Tony Gruenewald is in his car, his engine is revved, and his wheels are turning. With skillful mastery of language and line, he takes us on a "ride" through physical and spiritual connections to the human heart, using poetry to illustrate the transformative nature of being alive and moving forward. When he employs humor as a means of traveling lightly, his words are carefully chosen and never capricious. Both on and off the "road," in profoundly realized and deeply felt poems, he invites us to journey with him on an inner path that we travel through the created world toward God. Generous with caesuras and line breaks, each poem commemorates the fine distinctions of self-examination in a clear and compelling style that offers lyrical precision and deftly crafted imagery. If honks are equivalent to stars, I give this book five resounding hits on the horn!
- Adele Kenny, Poetry Editor of
Tiferet
With a Jersey slant and a Boomer bias, Honk examines everything from turnpikes and optometry to Medicare and Mick Jagger. Tony's words indict, enlighten, and entertain as he takes you to one scene after another, then leaves you to ruminate and reflect.
Jayne Jaudon Ferrer, Editor, YourDailyPoem.com
Honk
is a true pleasure. Tony Gruenewald's narrative voice in poem after poem is that of your smart, seasoned friend who, despite all he's been through, has retained a keen sense of humor, a kind of shield and a kind of grace. These poems are layered with insight and wit, driven by engaging storytelling, and paced by a well-considered economy of language. Gruenewald's ostensible subjects: driving, baseball, family, and lots of New Jersey. But the deeper work he's doing is all about that big question with which so many of us wrestle: how to survive with a sense of beauty-a core of wonder-still intact. Enjoy this ride. Gruenewald has already paid the tolls ahead of you.
BJ Ward