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Pulse
To the girl who never was . . . and all she'd dreamed she'd be. When chained to a past that offers no hope for the future, where does the responsibility lie? If given the chance to start again, would the courage be found to take it? Clarity is found in the moments between the beats. Flat-line flashbacks when the victim awakes to the truth that hope is something only she can foster. Journey through a lifetime in verse. Face all the characters and moments that shape us and break us. Do you have the courage to stop . . . to listen to the moments between the pulse? To dance the edge of the flatline and surface to a brand new beginning? Out of the chaos of life, unnamed heroes are born. In her second collection, Nova Scotia poet Natasha Head takes us on a fictional journey of a modern-day phoenix. Venture through the moments between the heartbeats, where baggage and guilt collide, strings are cut, and the hero rises to begin her life anew.
- GenresPoetry
118 pages, Paperback
First published March 6, 2013
236 people want to read
About the author
Natasha Head
4 books103 followersNatasha Head grew up in Hants County, Nova Scotia, spending most of her youth penning odes to the beautiful countryside and the trouble that can so easily be found when you're too young to appreciate the simple things.
Natasha is author of three collections of poetry. The 2012 Pushcart Prize nominated "Nothing Left to Lose" and the narrative fictional collection, "Pulse, both published by Winter Goose Publishing and her most recent collection "Birthing Inadequacy". Her work has appeared in numerous anthologies, including "In the Presence of Poets", "Inspiration Speaks" and "Signals From Static".
After spending a year in Northern Alberta, Natasha now resides in beautiful New Liskeard,Ontario...putting her just a little bit closer to the east coast that will forever be considered home.
Natasha is author of three collections of poetry. The 2012 Pushcart Prize nominated "Nothing Left to Lose" and the narrative fictional collection, "Pulse, both published by Winter Goose Publishing and her most recent collection "Birthing Inadequacy". Her work has appeared in numerous anthologies, including "In the Presence of Poets", "Inspiration Speaks" and "Signals From Static".
After spending a year in Northern Alberta, Natasha now resides in beautiful New Liskeard,Ontario...putting her just a little bit closer to the east coast that will forever be considered home.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
March 10, 2013
Pulse is an epic poem but at the same time it is not. There is distinctness to each part. Historically I've had trouble following longer narratives in poetry, but the words in this flow fluidly. Every line builds and says something poignant not just about the characters or poem but the larger world and human beings themselves. Natasha Head manages to make these immensely important themes personal. And the voices, of herself and others included mesh beautifully together. This is a work that will be remembered for a long time. I found it refreshing and original, an inventive masterpiece. You do not want to miss Pulse by Natasha Head.
*I received a free copy of this work in exchange for my opinion*
*I received a free copy of this work in exchange for my opinion*
April 2, 2013
Natasha Head has again written poetry at its finest. I was familiar with her work from her first book, Nothing Left to Lose, and was eager to see what her sophomore writing would present. She didn't disappoint, but continued to wow me with her ability to engage the reader from the first word. This is a gritty, not so pretty write about how raw life can be I won't reveal the ending, but I didn't see it coming. Just like the title you will be checking your pulse on this written ride. I give it a big thumbs up!!
March 20, 2013
Pulse is incredibly gritty, compelling and thought provoking. This is the first story of its kind that I have read a story in prose and I really enjoyed it. I don’t want to give away the story, but as a parent it truly sent shivers up my spine in regards to the worst kind of life a person have growing up.
The turn of phrase and the events of the story were witty and cruel as were some of the characters in the story. There is no real innocence in this book only the mourning of innocence never known.
During the time that I was reading this book, it often demanded that I stop and really think about what I had read. You sometimes need a moment to digest the events taking place. This would make a fantastic book for a discussion group and is meant for a higher caliber reader.
If you want to read a book that will really make you ponder life and how good you have it, read Pulse.
The turn of phrase and the events of the story were witty and cruel as were some of the characters in the story. There is no real innocence in this book only the mourning of innocence never known.
During the time that I was reading this book, it often demanded that I stop and really think about what I had read. You sometimes need a moment to digest the events taking place. This would make a fantastic book for a discussion group and is meant for a higher caliber reader.
If you want to read a book that will really make you ponder life and how good you have it, read Pulse.
April 14, 2013
This book surprised me. I am familiar with Natasha's poetry and enjoy it very much so I expected to like Pulse. The surprise is how much I liked it. How much empathy I felt for the characters, how I couldn't put it down until I knew the end of the story. The poetry is at times gritty, very raw and graphic. It isn't a pretty story but it's one of survival against all odds. An emotional ride. You should read it.
October 10, 2015
I had discovered Natasha Head's poetry webpage, and was looking to purchase a collection or two of her writing. I was not prepared for Pulse. By the time I had finished reading the online preview of the section of the book called "Night Shift," I knew that Pulse was going to be something far more than I had expected. I was hooked, and had to buy it.
Pulse is a gritty, twisty story. A novel told in minimalist, poetic language. Launching from the precipitating incident which takes places on a dark and lonely road at 2 a.m. in the morning, the story takes twisty, non-linear paths in exposing the past's secrets which cast long, tangled shadows into the present. It's not a pleasant story, but it made me feel deeply for the main character, and it has meaningful things to say about the human condition. The conclusion wrapped things up in a satisfying manner - a tale well told.
Ms. Head's command of descriptive language and metaphor is compelling. Her spare style offers just enough brush strokes to paint the scenes, while trusting the reader to make the necessary connections and inferences to flesh out the story in their own mind.
I read primarily for enjoyment, but as writer, I also read with an eye to see how writers work their magic. I found myself often highlighting sentences which I found compelling. In Pulse, it is not just the descriptiveness that is memorable, but also the feel of authenticity and truth that the words carried in them.
"She cried that night,
cried for all the dreams
she never knew she was allowed to have...
For all the hurt
she confused with love.
For all the heart
she still had for life."
Pulse is damn good writing and storytelling. It exploded my preconceived ideas about poetry, and showed me that it can be so much more than I dreamed. Pick up a copy today. You'll be glad you did!
Pulse is a gritty, twisty story. A novel told in minimalist, poetic language. Launching from the precipitating incident which takes places on a dark and lonely road at 2 a.m. in the morning, the story takes twisty, non-linear paths in exposing the past's secrets which cast long, tangled shadows into the present. It's not a pleasant story, but it made me feel deeply for the main character, and it has meaningful things to say about the human condition. The conclusion wrapped things up in a satisfying manner - a tale well told.
Ms. Head's command of descriptive language and metaphor is compelling. Her spare style offers just enough brush strokes to paint the scenes, while trusting the reader to make the necessary connections and inferences to flesh out the story in their own mind.
I read primarily for enjoyment, but as writer, I also read with an eye to see how writers work their magic. I found myself often highlighting sentences which I found compelling. In Pulse, it is not just the descriptiveness that is memorable, but also the feel of authenticity and truth that the words carried in them.
"She cried that night,
cried for all the dreams
she never knew she was allowed to have...
For all the hurt
she confused with love.
For all the heart
she still had for life."
Pulse is damn good writing and storytelling. It exploded my preconceived ideas about poetry, and showed me that it can be so much more than I dreamed. Pick up a copy today. You'll be glad you did!
May 22, 2013
being familiar with Ms. Head's earlier collections, I am both favorably impressed and as a reader plaesed with her talent and gut. In "Pulse" she transcends her earlier works both in style and content. a darkness born of realism not magical or spiritual, but rooted in the sides of humanity we'd all love to forget. She tells narratives written in a free verse style of magic all her own. by all means, read "Pulse" if you enjoy a walk down darkened streets of humanity.
February 4, 2014
The grinding of life, a girls struggles trying to find a life better than the one she knows. A sad story written in poetry form. Unfortunately there are souls who can resonate with this read. The author knows the harsh reality in life. I will be reading more from this author. Written by a poets hand.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews