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Music For Broken Instruments is A. S. Patric's first book of poems, following a number of short fiction publications in the last couple of years. While this was not my first introduction to A.S. Patric's poetry (I have followed his blog for a reasonable while now), this is the first time I have read them in a collected volume.
A. S. Patric writes emotional, unapologetic poems that, at their best, fracture realities, grasp at moments, and drown in the aftermath. Further into the volume, the mood shifts and more global topics surface amidst the interpersonal miasma that has come before.
While I enjoyed the early introspective pieces dealing with loss and exclusion, I was particularly drawn to those poems that took risks: Paper targets and In defence of blind ignorance play with form and structure, with the latter's call-and-response rhythm breaking the mold before rebuilding it, piece by piece. A lover in fortuna is the funniest of all the pieces, perhaps hinting at a comedic streak not otherwise explored, while But Mostly Air is conveniently, pure poetry from beginning to end.
Music for Broken Instruments showcases an intensity, an emotional honesty that resonates well after the final poem. As a reader, you cannot help but be moved by the journey. While at times I felt uncomfortable with such raw emotion, I also recognised the courage and conviction of A.S. Patric's words...and that, to my mind, says more about his talent than any superlatives I might otherwise choose to define or categorise his work.
A. S. Patric writes emotional, unapologetic poems that, at their best, fracture realities, grasp at moments, and drown in the aftermath. Further into the volume, the mood shifts and more global topics surface amidst the interpersonal miasma that has come before.
While I enjoyed the early introspective pieces dealing with loss and exclusion, I was particularly drawn to those poems that took risks: Paper targets and In defence of blind ignorance play with form and structure, with the latter's call-and-response rhythm breaking the mold before rebuilding it, piece by piece. A lover in fortuna is the funniest of all the pieces, perhaps hinting at a comedic streak not otherwise explored, while But Mostly Air is conveniently, pure poetry from beginning to end.
Music for Broken Instruments showcases an intensity, an emotional honesty that resonates well after the final poem. As a reader, you cannot help but be moved by the journey. While at times I felt uncomfortable with such raw emotion, I also recognised the courage and conviction of A.S. Patric's words...and that, to my mind, says more about his talent than any superlatives I might otherwise choose to define or categorise his work.
Got my copy this morning, all these brilliant poems together in one collection, looking forward to getting into it again and again.
ReplyDeleteI love this form of distribution and I cannot think of anything that makes you feel this good for $1.99. Fantastic work, congratulations.
You're a wonderful man Mark. Thanks for buying Music for Broken Instruments. You may have been the very first. I really appreciate your support.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, Alec! Can't wait to read it.
ReplyDeleteThanks Dave. Hope you enjoy it.
ReplyDelete