The writing of this book spans decades; through lonely times, times of profound love and affection, sad times, and times of great joy. Some of these emotions are well represented here, as are some times of silliness. I think we can all see ourselves in these pages, and perhaps see others in these pages as
well.
The bits and pieces of Remo that fill these pages are haphazardly strewn and do not tell a carefully woven tale or paint a discernable picture. I will offer you this... I love words, and love to mold not only the phrases and thoughts they combine to build, but mold the words themselves. Mixing a Latin prefix with a Greek root and a slang suffix can be fun as long as the meaning can be understood in context. Kurt Vonnegut was a master; I am merely a neo-proto-padawan.
The art that accompanies my words is either by Frankie McCarthy, a local artist, or free downloadable art from the wonderful photographers at Pexels.com.
Not all the work included in this tome is beautiful. Some is harsh, some is simple, and some may be sad. But so is life. Like a Japanese garden that purposely builds in a defect, this work is strewn with imperfections that like a beloved teddy bear has a thrice-sewn ear and a worn-out nose with stitching apparent throughout. But it is your bear or your child’s bear, or the bear of a stranger’s child you see in the mall, and as you look upon it, you recognize that it symbolizes innocence and love, and it makes us smile... perhaps because we miss that innocence, or perhaps we don’t know why we smile, but we
do.
May the bits and pieces of you blend well with the bits and pieces of me in this book, and it is my hope you will find a smile, some joy, some memories, and some curiosity to sustain your journey through these pages.
Evens and Beginnings is a collection of thirty-three poems by Remo Perini covering a wide array of subject matter. The book opens with "This Is," a contemplative poem marveling at the wonder of creation. "The Profit Prophet" is a sharp critique of the relentless pursuit of material possessions that bring neither happiness nor fulfillment. "Nobody" follows the everyday life of a broken man lost in the pit of despair and loneliness. "Our Country 'Tis" lays bare the faults, struggles, hopes, and dreams of America as a country and what it strives to be. "'Til Death Do Us Part" speaks of the slow deterioration of a relationship built on love and trust. "Calamity and Chaos" delves into the rigors of our day-to-day lives filled with stress, anxiety, and anger. "Mirror" encourages readers to look twice into their beliefs.
Evens and Beginnings is a thoughtful and poignant poetry collection that leaves you with a lot to think about. Remo Perini's mesmerizing verses will strike a chord in your heart and force you to introspect. Stylistically, the poems are experimental, with non-rhythmic verses and non-traditional structures to the organization of said verses. While some of them have clearly discernable topics and subject matter, others feel more abstract. Despite the similar underlying theme of the nature of existence and the exploration of the human condition, every single one feels unique and brings something of its own to the narrative. Although I enjoyed them all, "Our Country 'Tis" was probably my favorite of the bunch. Highly recommended to poetry lovers.
Evens and Beginnings: A Collection of Odds and Ends, is a beautiful collection of poems about love, death, divorce, capitalism, loneliness, suicide, finding peace, frogs, and so much more. It's a mixture of short and long poems that are eloquent, meaningful, and deep. This book is filled with emotionally resonant, profoundly thoughtful, well-written, contemplative, well-conceived poems.
The poems themselves represent many styles: Free verse, lilting rhyming verse, epistolary verse; this collection is a mirage of poetic
happenings and styles, just as the title suggests. The sentiments express life in its fullness, spanning the wide panorama of emotions from pure joy to heart-breaking sadness, from love to disappointment and disillusionment. The poems are pure, raw, and sometimes harsh, reflecting life in its fullness. Spellbinding and thought-provoking, this collection of poetry might be the odds and ends that its subtitle suggests, and a poignant metaphor for life.
- The sentiments express life in its fullness, spanning the wide panorama of emotions from pure joy to heart-breaking sadness, from love to disappointment and disillusionment.
- The poems are pure, raw, and sometimes harsh, reflecting life in its fullness.
- Spellbinding and thought-provoking, this collection of poetry might be the odds and ends that its subtitle suggests, but isn’t that a metaphor for life?
- Evens and Beginnings is a thoughtful and poignant poetry collection that leaves you with a lot to think about.
- Remo Perini's mesmerizing verses will strike a chord in your heart and force you to introspect.
- Remo Perini does justice to his emotions in Evens and Beginnings. Grief is hard to express except by tears and poetry. This book shares grief as the loss of life and loss of relationships. Reading these poems by Remo will allow you to feel what he feels.
- Evens and Beginnings by Remo Perini is deep, eloquent, and meaningful.
- Perini touches on the trials, triumphs, and hurdles we all face…. beautifully articulates his perceptions of life experiences that are relatable.
- The way Perini envisions these experiences captures the beauty of even the darker and trying emotions.
- Perini is a good writer who can communicate positive and negative emotions charmingly.
- This book is filled with emotionally resonant, profoundly thoughtful, contemplative, well-written, well-conceived poems
