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"Ghost Stories" has spirit
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Anonymous user Tue Nov 30, 1999 00:00:00 PST
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1 response 1 comment “I have to write, have to do it … like a runner's high.” 
Fidel A. Martinez

I picked up a book at a recent book signing at Russo's in The Marketplace. “Ghost Stories from the Tower of Souls” by local author Fidel A. Martinez turned out to be a great read. 

Martinez has self-published a book of poems that are entertaining and easy to “get.” He writes about the human condition, love, faith and the humor he sees in everyday life and in the afterlife. 

His poems are short, most less than 20 lines, and done in clear language. Each page has a clean look about it: no confusing graphics or footnotes. 

“Ghost Stories” has a simple black cover and is 89 pages long. It's an ideal gift for someone, and you can read it yourself before wrapping. Then get another to keep.

Martinez chose to self-publish to be in control of the project. This poet/lawyer has been connected to music and writing all his life.

“I got a lot of rejection letters,” he said, describing how he sent off stories when he was 10 or 12.

Martinez says that the important thing to know about the book is that “It's a fun ride. At least I hope it is.” 

He explains the title this way: “Ghost Stories shows the meaning of each of the poems as a religious reflection. Tower of Souls is the here and now, all the different levels of the human condition overlapping on each other.”

He describes a loving, laughing God.

Adam's Laughter

Sleep like a blindfold
A part of me is missing
Feeling a bit less this morning
Wanting to know why

Maybe hint at this disappointment
It's gone as soon as the thought comes up
I hold her close feeling complete

And when she touches me
Just so
I can't stop laughing
Even if my side is killing me.

This is typical his poetry: short, clear language, a fresh look at a scene common to most readers and the irony saved for the last line. 

When I asked Martinez to read a poem he chose “Lazarus stuttered,” the poem on the back cover.

Think of how Lazarus felt when he rose from the dead.  “I came back for this…?” He now knows what Jesus knows and asks a simple question, “Why?”

I have trouble getting into most poetry books but not this one. I laughed and agreed with almost everything I found here. The book is about $10 and available at Russo's Books. I give it a perfect 5 out of 5.

E-mail Terry at: Tredman@bak.rr.com

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Comment From: themelaman

I heard Fidel read at Barnes & Noble, and I knew immediately that he "had it." I don't know what "it" is, just as I do not know what a poem "is." I only know when I hear "it" in the rhythm, in the colors of the words as they splash about. I hope Fidel returns to Barnes & Noble soon!