Date and Time

 Will Pikus

As a 22-year-old Jewish man in 2022, I find Kaye’s poetry to be incredibly interesting. I also like how he describes himself as not traditionally masculine. We need more people like this in society. Positive influences are needed to go against all of the negativity in the world.

            Kaye also does a fantastic job of bringing up social problems in modern society. In his poem “Rollercoaster”, Kaye writes “while at dinner / the glowing thing in my pocket /. Coyly whirs against my thigh / and a person I have met once / now thousands of miles away / has sent me parts of her body / we used to whisper about at sleepovers” (75). I believe Phil Kaye is looking down on society as he writes this poem. He’s basically saying that a girl is sending nude pictures of herself, though she is so far away. This makes Kaye devoid of happiness. It’s the modern day hook up culture that prevents people from forming real connections with each other. 

            Kaye also brings up many points about life and death. He seems to be fixated on his own death. Is it possible that he’s eager to find out what’s next for him in the afterlife? The poem “Loneliness” brings up the idea of the scarab beetle, which symbolizes rebirth for the ancient Egyptians. This heavily implies that Kaye implies reincarnation, or at least some kind of life after death. 

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