A Review By Author Nicole D’Settemi
Amazon Best-selling Author of
Addictarium (War Stories Chronicles): A Memoir
Poems from AMOD
By Michael Byrne
Poems from AMOD fell into my lap by chance, when I had the pleasure of inter-meeting Mr. Byrne, and it was a touching and emotional engagement, which I am grateful for.
Normally, if I critique a poet, I do try to work with those who’ve been studying the craft for awhile, because I tend to be pretty honest and don’t want to discourage poets, or aspiring poets, who can be sensitive to criticism their initial years, because so much, so often, they require a lot of areas for improvement. Often, they lack their own voice, a certain tone which sets them apart, because they are young, new to the craft, and haven’t found it yet. --Mr. Byrne is an exception! Though only a poet, as he stated, for approximately a year, Byrne’s already set the tone for his work, and has a strong, genuine, and authentic one at that!
I will admit part of the appeal for me comes down to personal taste, but that doesn’t disqualify that this poet already has undeniable talent. His poems are intuitive and have depth, and lyrically there’s a superb rhythm to them which was much appreciated. Byrne is a melancholy writer, filled with bursting emotions one moment and then, a quiet, reflective sadness the next. There is a wisdom to his words, which adds to the style which is already defining him.
This initial collection is divided into four parts, again--a great tool and intelligent decision, because he provides several aspects of his life, psychology, and he gives reason and meaning to why he feels the way he does. It’s a journey, and an interesting one at that. The book begins in a very dark area, Byrne’s first portion is quite murky, veering into downright sad. He has a doleful and distorted sense of reality, with serious suicidal behaviors and thinking, and you feel the authors struggle and immediately feel compassion and empathy for him--you want him to heal, to find happiness, stability, a good life.
Delving into the next three portion, we are provided just that. As he displays a spectrum of emotions throughout his life-long transformation, Byrne’s does a great job of ending on a relatively positive note, but also shows wisdom, maturity, finds an appreciation for life, living, beauty, natural wonders, nature, and love, and it’s touching and sincere and very gracefully flows.
I enjoyed the darker poems because they spoke to me the most, and again, this just boils down to personal taste, but I did also find an appreciation for his lighter works too, I like that he started to come out of his darkness, I wanted him to. That equates to good writing!
The lighter side with which he writes, nearing to the end--his full metamorphosis, includes reflections on being a father, his love for his child, his wife, his love for love, his appreciation of nature and lack of desire/un-interest in greed, money, material worship. Of course, as a ‘person,’ I appreciated this on a personal level, because I relate. But, even as a poet, I found this to be lovely and visceral. I was easily reading from one page to the next, I always wanted to know what would come up after, and how he was feeling things | seeing things from one poem to the next.
Any lyric poet would appreciate this chapbook and it is highly recommended! Triggers or notes would simply be that this is a book highly reflective on suicidal thinking, PTSD, emotional illness and mental illness, so be prepared for those themes to be prevalent.
Great Write!
Notable Works | Favorite Lines:
The Final Chime
This is a very strong penning with an unfortunate tone, filled with hopelessness and pain it’s a great opening poem, because it sets the tone for the entire first portion, and allows you a glimpse into the psyche of a broken human being, who desperately wants help, is looking to be healed. And so, you want that for him!
Favorite Lines:
‘I’ve lived to long in the shadows of sadness’
‘I’ll never be normal, unlike you’
‘I’ll hear my final chime’
Ember
Wow! This is just awesome and powerful, very dark, but so raw and cacophonous!
Favorite Lines:
‘Loneliest guy on the planet
This can’t be it all, can it?’
‘Time on earth will be frozen’
‘a dying ember’
‘nothing more to remember’
The Black Dog
This one really grabbed me. It’s a poem with a bite, and that same darkness which is very gripping. I would proclaim this in my top 3 favorites in this collection!
Favorite Line(s):
‘the black dog is back with its bite’
Devil’s Chase
Again, this is extremely sad and dark, but very compelling. I was hypnotized from the title on to keep reading. I really enjoyed this in a painful way.
Favorite Lines:
‘run the devil’s chase -
stare into his dark and evil face’
‘I know this devil will feast for my final hour’
A Matter of Time
Favorite Lines:
‘I’m a dead man walking’
‘bound by all the chains and shackles’
Knockout
Penned something similar about myself battling heroin, so this REALLY spoke to me. My poem was titled “The K.O.” and it had an eerily similar tone, and even rhymes and word-play! This spoke to me, because any struggle can be used for this type of life-battering struggle! Thank you for this!
Favorite Lines:
‘I’ve got the biggest fight on my hands right now
It might be a long 12 rounds.’
Moving On
This had me doing research. I was unaware of ‘clutha’ until I read this poem, and after reading about the incident and survival, for me, this poem is very moving. It’s a strong penning with a very sad, real, and raw story of something that many people suffered from. Bravo for the bravery and ability to convey what so many must have felt | are feeling.
Favorite Lines:
‘I’m on the edge of precipice’
‘...engulfed by a cloud
Wrapped around me like a Turin shroud’ - very nice clever line!