Dark Soul of the Millennium: A Collection of Plays and Poems

Mel Waldman
World Audience (2007)
ISBN 9781934209417
Reviewed by Debra Gaynor for Reader Views (3/07)

In “Dark Soul of the Millennium” Mel Waldman speaks to the psyches of humans.  He seems to take a look deep inside and pull out mostly dark, violent, and disturbing emotions.  Frankly, some of his pieces I just didn’t get.  I believe that Mr. Waldman is at times speaking of mental illness. 

“The Ring” was an interesting piece.  A man is remembering and speaking with the woman he loved.  She died before he could propose.  “Reunion In Union Square Park,” was a particularly touching piece.  Two men formerly best friends but separated by a disagreement that neither can remember, are reunited by one’s wife, at the moment of her death.  “A Sea Of Trauma,” speaks of a therapist view of his patients.

Mel Waldman takes a profound look at the 9/11 and the Holocaust.  I found these pieces touching. 

“Why do We Speak Of The Holocaust?”
Why do we speak of
The Holocaust?  If we stop,
the world will forget.”

“Holocaust Voices
We are the voices
Of The Holocaust; we speak,
the world remembers.”

“Holocaust Ghosts
We speak in dark dreams.
Holocaust ghosts on trains to
death camps, clutching you.”

“Death Camps
in all seasons, they
 marched into death camps, clutching
faith, searching for G_d.”

“A Blue Death
it’s a blue death in
 the gas chambers, where zyklon
Buries your breath.”

“Dark Soul of the Millennium” by Mel Waldman is aptly named, for Mr. Waldman seems to reach into the soul of man and pull out the darkness lurking there.  Mr. Waldman is a talented writer and has a unique style.  I was deeply moved by certain pieces however others left me wondering as to their purpose and meaning. 

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