Insecurity
A common theme in Koo's poetry is insecurity. His narrators often feature a self-loathing line of thought. For example, the narrator of "Lunch Special" interprets the events around him as if specifically designed to humiliate him. He's projecting his own insecurity and embarrassment at attending this bike event and eating a lot onto the people around him. In "Shopping with Mayakovsky" the narrator, presumably Koo himself, hesitates to jump into the social scene which his friend takes him to because he's unsure of whether he will be socially successful with the women there.
Even in these insecure narrations, there is an element of self-awareness. Mayakovsky becomes the support and encouragement which propels the narrator of this poem into the unknown. Similarly, Koo in "Always Finish What You Start" relates a self-conscious narration which balances insecurity with a healthy dose of doubt. Perhaps the self-narration which allows for feelings up victimhood or self-loathing are suspicious because it is the narrator's opinion of himself and thus biased.
Disgust
The respective narrators of "American Dream" and "Lunch Special" both describe a sense of disgust with themselves. For "American Dream" the guy feels shame and disgust over his porn usage. He recognizes that he's taken real people online and interpreted them to fit his ideal image, the one which society has presented as ideal. In this idealization he's both de-humanized the actors and indulged a sort of possessive fixation upon them. He's disgusted with himself for falling into easily recognized patterns of unhealth, but he continues to use the porn in the same way. In "Lunch Special" Koo chooses words to describe the scenario which convey disgust like "fat," "slagged," "stuffed goon," etc. The protagonist feels disgusted with himself for eating this sandwich, although he provides no additional evidence for why he feels particularly disgusted.
Participation in a Larger Literary Conversation
Koo is a self-consicous poet. He positions his words within a greater literary conversation, often referencing other poets and authors and creatives. He draws upon the characteristics of their works as if they are familiar people to him and both the audience. In this way he uses their body of writing to elaborate some of his own points as a cultural touchstone.
The poem "Shopping With Mayakovsky" actually focuses on Vladimir Mayakovsky as if he were right beside Koo in his day. He stopped in for a visit. Although the poem is fictional, Koo's intimacy with Mayakovsky's writing allows him to imagine with near certitude what the day would be like spent with his predecessor. Koo not only continues the tradition of poetry in which Mayakovsky participated but allows Mayakovsky's memory to remain alive and well in his own work. All at once, Koo is revealing his own artistic influences and carving his own place into the larger literary conversation.
