Variations on Tzara
Jan Škrdlík
Musical Forge (2025)
ISBN: 978-8090791497
Reviewed by Susan Violante for Reader Views (11/2025)
Variations on Tzara by Jan Škrdlik is a spiral-bound booklet with a colorful, abstract, whimsical front cover. The colorful cover caught my attention, but the subtitle The Son-Of-A-Narcissist-Mother’s Guidebook called me to check it out. As I opened it and skimmed through it, I was a little confused by its format. It felt very busy and almost discouraged me from reading. But I decided to just start reading from the beginning. I was glad I did, as the beginning tells the reader how to read this book.
The table of contents is presented as ‘Nine Commandments.’ Each one is broken down into what I identified as wisdom affirmations or phrases. These, in essence, are the topic/message of the poem. As I go on into the book, I realize that the author’s commitment is not just to share his poetry collection with readers. The author is committed to providing readers with a unique experience as they unravel deep knowledge within.
This is not your everyday poetry book. Jan Škrdlik does a great job taking the reader by the hand and guiding them through the journey in search of his higher self. I suggest that readers open their minds and follow his guide on how to read the poems. He does this while keeping his voice raw and genuine, opening his heart to share his story and journey with the reader.
I truly enjoyed the process of reading the verses, applying the musical tempo signaled by the author with bars. I found it refreshing and marveled at how different it felt when paying attention to its melody. Having said that, the meaning of the words was profound and deeply impactful in a philosophical way in my mind. But at the same time, behind the insightful message, you can feel a broken heart. Here is a sample of what I mean:
A Word Alone is Enough For Vision
A word alone is enough for vision / but why is it not here? /
When you were born / everyone was silent / hidden behind clichés /
When you were born / people were mute / people were alone /
Trees were shouting / mountains were shouting /
But from trains / from TVs / and from radios /
Resounded only / bursting atmospheric waves /
When you were growing up / you were waiting /
For someone to cry out / but everyone was silent! /
You ran out into the landscape / and listened to the trees /
You tilted your ear / to the rustling of anthills /
You asked the roots / to narrate to you /
But did not understand them…/
But today / on the face of stars / the time has come /
Eyes want to open / and a Word alone wants to speak out /
A Word alone, enough to awaken…/
– is here ///
This poem makes me think of the ‘awakening’ of society, women, myself…This is an example of how Jan Škrdlik, by sharing his own journey and heartache through his choice of words and his formatting, can inspire a reader on so many levels.
Variations on Tzara: The Son-Of-A-Narcissist-Mother’s Guidebook by Jan Škrdlik is unique, heart-wrenching, enlightening, and thought-provoking. It is a personal and intimate journey that can change the readers’ perspectives on life. A MUST READ – 5 Stars