Review: Transformations: Poetry and Art by G. Jordan Maclay Ph.D

Transformations: Poetry and Art is an eclectic, whimsical, and deeply personal collection from the mind of G. Jordan Maclay Ph.D. From amusing vignettes about pets to cosmos-sized musings about existence and the foundation of the universe, this combination of poetry, prose, and art is like few other books on the shelf, especially from a Ph.D whose other published work is a dense text on quantum mechanics.

Turning the mind of a theoretical physicist towards the realm of poetry is inherently original, but Maclay is far more than a scientist with a flair for art. When appropriate, he effortlessly lays a sociological, anthropological, and biological lens over his observations, while at other times, he comes across as a wide-eyed philosopher, intrigued by spiritual elements, self-awareness, and remaining present within his life.

Combining the macrocosm and the microcosm in thoughtful ways, with transparency about his own struggles to find deeper meaning in his work, this is a confident collection, but one that acknowledges uncertainty and mystery in all things. From an academic with a mind designed for data and proof, the effect is oddly cathartic: “Without a doubt, one of the greatest gifts is forgetfulness, God loosening the chains of the past.”

Certain pieces tackle hard and existential questions, such as “Where is God?” and “29,000 feet above Lake Michigan,” and others are succinct koans, only a handful of lines, like a passing thought Maclay captured and recorded. This balance between long and short-form work makes the collection highly readable.

In addition to enigmatic questions about the universe, this collection also delves into Maclay’s personal journey, the inevitable slowdown of age, and the small pleasures of an increasingly simple life. “My Fearless Hero” is a touching poem about a beloved pup, “Taxes” is an examination of earthbound principles, and “My Wife is Asleep” is a love poem to silence and space. The author can clearly find beauty in everyday things, while also flexing his more cerebral muscles in bold pieces like “Transformation” and “What is Your Programming?”

From a technical perspective, many of his poems read more like the dictation of an internal monologue, albeit one of a wildly active and curious mind. In the free verse poems, there is no rhyme or meter, but the enjambment choices can also seem arbitrary, and could just as easily be stretched into prose. There is an occasional excess of punctuation, whereas more creative formatting would allow those pieces to be clarified, and more impactful.

The art is bright and intriguing, but its rudimentary nature doesn’t always gel well with the textual elements, and it’s difficult to determine what themes or ideas the art is attempting to explore. The more abstract pieces are the most engaging, particularly those that feel influenced by Miro or Chagall. Others, however, give the first impression of an unfinished child’s drawing, and don’t add much to the overall reading experience.

These issues aside, the flow of ideas is undeniably unique; the epic scale of the themes being discussed, as well as the sensitivity of the poet’s approach, results in a memorable and thought-provoking journey through science, poetry, art, and philosophy.