Average American: Poems On Becoming Normal

by Ty Gardner, Shelly Gardner (Illustrator)

"...it would've been a wintry day, sickly pale with oven-crisped leaves clinging to slumbering arms when i broke the news; though i suppose that part's not quite true, the simplest versions of things are often much harder to accept, so it stands to reason i'd rather not recall the unpleasantness of that day any other way..."

Typical. Common. Ordinary. Three simple terms singularizing an adjective way of living for many, but by what means do we find ourselves fated to this subtle existence? A system of cause and effect related to our actions? The power of curious forces at work, or a combination of both?

Average American: Poems On Becoming Normal stands as a collection of reflected narratives exploring events that influence the human experience, the lasting impression they leave on our character, and how the remarkable moments don't always define one's greatness but reveal the beauty in simplicity.

With recurring themes in love, loss, the intimate pursuit of a spiritual self, and understanding how time and experience help guide our humanity, readers of Ty's works have come to enjoy an often deeply reflective tone at the heart of his poetry, encouraging them to ponder the bigness of the world around them through the wonderment of words.

47 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 3, 2023

About the author

A lover of words and the impact they create, Ty Gardner is a lifelong enthusiast of all forms of poetry and has written creatively from the time he was a child.

When he’s not musing and waxing poetic, Ty can be found exploring the wonderment of his newfound home in Northwest Arkansas with his family.

He is the author of a dozen poetry books and a co-author of a poetic anthology, Midnight With Words: Late Night Conversations in Poetry, along with eleven wonderfully gifted writers from across the globe.

Reviews

[Antonia Wang · Rating 5 out of 5]

"With a blink and a breath, I am beautiful." Thus begins Ty Gardner's journey to becoming an average American, with a series of captivating, narrative poems that convey the essence of our shared humanity, and his unique perspective. From the fuzziness of a baby's hair to the carefree bliss and foolishness of youth, to the painful realization of one's mortality, and everything in between, these poems reveal wisdom, and the unfortunate (at times humorous) circumstances that enabled it. I found myself smiling, cringing, and at times, tearing up at the author's triumphs and tribulations, while strolling his average neighborhood. This collection offers a wealth of engaging, heartbreaking, and yes, heartwarming poetry I won't soon forget.