Gatekeeper

This collection intricately explores the dark and complex nature of the deep web, revealing both its horrors and its unexpected connections. Gatekeeper is a compelling read.

In Gatekeeper, Patrick Johnson explores the intricate and often dark landscape of the deep web, presenting a world that is both alluring and terrifying. The collection delves into the duality of this digital realm, where connection is often shrouded in anonymity and power dynamics. The speaker's journey through this virtual inferno is guided by a hacker reminiscent of Virgil and a mysterious figure named Anon, representing the faceless users that populate this hidden world. Johnson's poetry captures the essence of human trafficking, hitmen, and the recruitment of terrorists, while also highlighting the haunting allure of love that can emerge from such chaos.

The structure of Gatekeeper is anything but linear. Johnson's map of the deep web is recursive, challenging readers to confront the complexities of a space that is both exhilarating and frightening. Drawing inspiration from nature and science, the poems serve as a profound inquiry into the moral ambiguities of the digital age. The speaker's quest for understanding is interwoven with vivid imagery and lyrical language, creating an atmosphere that is both spooky and spare.

As a debut collection, Gatekeeper stands out as a suspenseful odyssey that resonates with the troubled times we live in. Johnson's ability to blend novelistic elements with intense lyricism results in a volume of poetry that captivates and challenges, making it a significant contribution to contemporary literature.