Grade:

B+

The lead vocalist from System of a Down, Serj Tankian, has come out with a book of his poems. "Cool Gardens" is the epitome of modern poetry. Reveling in the pop culture of today's youth, it is loaded with political jargon and incessant sexuality.

Tankian's poems each only take a minute to read, but they have arduous titles like "Prop. 192," "Letter to Congress," and "Revolution." Expressing a different patriotism in his poem "Tar," he says:

"The people of the U.S. of A. / are sick of being fucked by the landlord / we are ready to topple our fascist CIA / and its drug importing business / we are sick of being poisoned / raped and incarcerated by your unjust laws / we are willing and able to strike the system / where it hurts the most, financially / by boycotting holidays."

His style of poetry is enough to make the creative writing professors retire early. Tankian is feeding off a lack of any stipulations when it comes to the art. The language is non-traditional and cannot be called "beautiful" throughout most of the book. Phrases like "Donkey-fart," "Filet-o-fish nightmares" and "excretory juices of my feces," are used like salt and pepper on a Cajun meal. He is already controversial and blunt as it is, but takes it the next step to over-surprise you. In "Mix" he writes, "America can be described as a country with no public urinals / with laws against urinating in public." Miraculously, it works in many of the poems. Still, this cannot be called "good poetry" just as comic books cannot be called "good literature." Tankian is dirty. However, his points are gaseous, like the stench that you can actually see rising up from sewers in New York during December.

One page is bashing on corporations and government's indentured servitude to big business, and then the next page has descriptions of intense sex such as "I Am My Own Woman" and "Wetflower." It is obvious that he appreciates women, but he really appreciates women who appreciate women. Tankian is consumed by the welfare of American citizens, but preoccupied with the hedonist lifestyle of an oversexed rock star.

Though this book will not be taught in your classes anytime soon, and Mr. Tankian will not make an appearance at the Poetry Speakers Series on Wednesday nights, there is no denying that his poetry just works. We need more young leaders to reach our generation of couches. Too comfortable, too entertained, Tankian wants us to realize that mainstream media preaches apathy only when there is a crisis that requires our obedience.