NOIR et ROUGE (Black and Red)

Marques Vickers fourth poetic edition continues his probe into the challenge of artistic creation amidst the present cultural obstacles and noise imposed by contemporary society and self. Circumventing these clouded layers into lucid rhythms offering clarity of expression can only be expressed by loosen consciousness. His title Noir et Rouge (Black and Red) is a playful reference and reverence towards the French writer Stendhal's Rouge et Noir, a then insightful portrayal of the ambitions and conflictiveness of protagonist Julien Sorel. In the process of the narrative, his fundamental beliefs are tested with regard towards the church (noir) and the military/society (rouge). Any contemporary society remains a prone and easy target for ridicule and criticism over identifiable hypocrisy. Vickers acknowledges the evident shades of today's discord while internalizing the struggle to express his own perspective and judgment. The risk for any poet is to expose unfiltered impressions that one might normally shield publicly. Candid exposure is frequently awkward. Truth and genuineness does not encourage such discretion. Vickers further addresses the problematic ongoing themes of attraction, desire, and articulating affection. Several of his subjects are antidotal, many autobiographical. Each work attempts to clarify the fermenting and fully developed process evading simplistic clichés and single-dimensional advice. Resolutions offer few uncomplicated answers in the ultimate attempt to cultivate equilibrium.