[ back ]
George Kolar: A poet for all ages
(by ELSIE WALKER - April 21, 2008)
Poet George Kolar communes with nature for inspiration for his next work.
“I was born on the wind,” says poet George Kolar as he addresses his audience. From there he goes into a recitation of his favor-ite and greatest poem, “Mother Nature’s Child”.
A resident of Landing, Kolar is a member of the Schooley’s Mountain Poet’s Society, has had his poetry displayed at the South Plainfield and Wharton public libraries, and has placed in poetry contests, having his work included in poetry anthologies. However, most recently, he’s been taking his works “on the road”, so to speak. Looking for a different type of experience in connecting with the audience, Kolar has shared his poems at elementary schools, nursing homes, and a local talent show.
In May, Kolar will be sharing his poetry at a May 3 Mother-Daughter Mother’s Day Dinner in Roxbury, at an elementary school in Independence Township and a school in Hackettstown.
“I don’t read, I recite,” said Kolar, “I have so many [poems] in my mind”.
He’s written 200 – 300 poems over his 20 plus years as a poet. Nature and the seasons are major inspirations and the topics of many of his works. He’s visited 38 of the 50 states, sharing the sights of his journeys through his words, from the wilderness beauty of Alaska to the beautiful waters of Hawaii.
“My biggest thrill, “ said Kolar, “ was seeing my poem, ‘Save the Whales’ on page one of an anthology.”
Also, life experience inspires him as he captures the present and past in poetic lines. He’s written about such humorous topics as the time his young granddaughter tried to give herself a haircut and taken nostalgic looks back at life in a simpler time. One poem, recalls childhood days of going to the Dover Playhouse to watch the Saturday movie. The playhouse building no longer houses movies but sits on a side street. Kolar’s poem recalls in part:
“The old theatre still stands today,
In tribute to a by-gone day.
When I remember as a lad,
Being dropped off by my dad.
On Saturday morning we would go
To watch the motion picture show.
First came the cartoons,
Donald Duck and Mickey Mouse,
Then came the feature of the house…”
Kolar’s poems share glimpses of people as well. Some recall the 1940’s and his childhood friend, who was confined to a wheel-chair at age 12. That disability did not stop the duo from having adventures, such as building a kayak, fishing and being caught in a rushing river.
“Sometimes they just come to me,” said Kolar of his works, some of which are still handwritten in a notebook, not yet typed or published. He noted that when his commute to work was longer, he used to have a small tape recorder with him as sometimes a poem would come to mind on the way. However, now that his commute is short, works don’t seem to come that way. Many times it takes longer for a poem to reach completion.
A friend and music teacher, Scott Lefurge of Andover, has put one of Kolar’s poems to music. “The Quiet Place”, which talks of Kolar’s communing with God and nature, has been sung at the Stanhope United Methodist Church.
Kolar has given himself the nickname of “God’s Poet”, as he feels his skills are a gift from God.
The poet noted that he’s taking up the guitar. He feels that many of his works could be made into songs people would enjoy. One thing is for sure, Kolar’s poems are works for all ages.
[ back ]
