Simplicity Regurgitated: Poems and Shorts

Tony R. Rodriguez
Fultus Corporation (2006)
ISBN 9781596820906
Reviewed by Debra Gaynor for Reader Views (6/07)


Tony Rodriguez, author of “Simplicity Regurgitated,” offers opinions on youth, love, and a variety of other topics.  His style is effortless and unique. “Learning endeavors,” is a distinctive expression of meeting a new day.  The alarm goes off and the ritual begins.  During those first moments of sleepiness one wonders “Why do I try?”  “Lack of strength to be different”, speaks much truth about each of us.  We do not want to be different; it is too much trouble.  ”I learn repetition,” we learn by rote, keeping in tune with the beat.  As we grow older, we yearn for the days of our youth when we caught frogs and rolled down hills as Mr. Rodriguez expressively describes in “a continuing kick of youth.”  “Multiple Scars,” tells of anger, screaming and violence in a family.  Mother is throwing things at father, becoming angrier by the moment -- he speaks quietly, takes a walk and attempts to give her time to calm down, all the while talking quietly to his beloved child.  The irony is the nature of his child.  “A familiar face,” speaks from the prospective of a woman who has found her lover in bed with another.  Everything she looks at reminds her of him and the things they did together, the love they shared and his betrayal.  She turns to alcohol and a stranger for comfort.

Tony Rodriguez is an exceptionally-gifted writer.  I was not familiar with his work when I picked up “Simplicity Regurgitated” and didn’t know what to expect.  Rodriguez writes with fervor.  He offers readers his opinion on various topics and does so with an uncomplicated method.  These everyday topics are familiar to me and will be to other readers.  While we each have our own opinion, we may not each express them so movingly.  My only criticism is the cover and title.  Neither does this book justice.  While the opinions may be shared, this work of art is too good to be called regurgitated.  Fans of poetry will enjoy “Simplicity Regurgitated.”

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