Patchwork Narrative

by Tyler Yoder

A poetic journey through youth, experience, and a subsequent descent into madness. Written over the course of a decade, these poems reflect the author's adult life.

44 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 28, 2013

About the author

Tyler J. Yoder is a lovable idealist who believes that la vie boheme is an attainable, reasonable way to live his life. In addition, he dabbles in taxidermy and is a fine milliner. He is currently desperately scraping funds together to travel Europe indefinitely.

Reviews

[Erica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mr. Yoder, do NOT read this review. You should never read reviews of your own work. It's like a law, or something.

I hate poetry.
Oh my god, I hate it so very much.
We, poetry and I, had a fiery passionate affair until I became an English major in college. Then I got to know poetry better. And poets, those self-indulgent, crazy, ridiculous people = Ugh.
I grew to loathe poetry. I hated how hard it became to understand, I hated how "good" poetry made my eyes roll into the back of my head, I hated it all.
Except children's poetry because that was still fairly uncomplicated and manageable, aimed at entertaining soft, young minds, not making maudlin the entire world.
Oh and love poetry? GAG! Worst Stuff EVER!
I hate poetry so very much.

And then I got this book.
I put off reading it forever because I didn't want to admit, "Yes, I got this book but I actually hate poetry, so...I'll probably never read it."

But here's the thing, the magical little moment:
I was cataloging this book for work and there was a power surge and for some reason my surge protector didn't work and my computer shut down and I had to wait about 10 minutes for everything to reboot...so...I read this damn slim volume of poetry while I waited to be able to resume working.

I only admit this under my breath and with my eyes all sideglancing and peevish: I did not hate these poems.
Yes, sure, there are hints of the amateur hand here and there and some rhymes are a bit forced and stumbly, but on the whole?
Not only did I understand almost every single piece both on a cerebral level as well as a personally emotional level, but I...ugh, I hate saying this...enjoyed the feeling of my eyes looking over the words flowing down the page.
Some of the poems are funny, wryly humorous, often darkly so. Others aren't. Some are painful. Others are punchy. And most of them, I reluctantly admit, are pretty damn good.

I don't plan to read a lot more poetry because of this; I'm not re-converted. My favorites are still Shel Silverstein and Jack Prelutsky(ok, honestly, I like Robert Burns, too, but let's not let that get out) but I do own an ecopy of this book and I'll probably actually read some of the poems over and over like I used to back before I learned to hate poetry.
I 100% recommend this to people who like poetry, especially the Romantics (not the band)(well, not that I'm excluding people who like the band, mind you)

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

II. St. George

I'll slay the beasts that growl within,

A psychotropic knight;

And I'll become your next of kin,

And soothe the serpent's bite.

Oh, I'll remove your clothes and sin,

And find what Milton lost -

A little love, a little skin:

A little pentecost.

Tyler Yoder is a throwback to times gone by, his writing is very reminiscent of the Romantic poets and yet he has a modern sensibility that is easy to appreciate. This volume of poetry is equal parts amusing and heart wrenching. The poet's sense of humour comes through in many of the pieces, but his stark recognition of his own human condition is there as well. Whether you are one to prefer laughter or tears, I'd still recommend giving this beautiful little volume a read.

[Emily Ward · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yoder's relationship with language is more intimate, loving and playful than many romantic relationships. The author offers his experiences with the universal themes of love, loss and pain. His style is Romantic, a touch archaic, utterly relevant. As the book progresses, these insights are filtered through the dark lens of his alcoholism. This collection is moving and beautiful. It's also honest--don't enter seeking resolution. This journey continues, and I look forward to reading the next chapter.

[Phoenixbutterfly · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Patchwork Narrative is a wonderful collection of poems that have the feel of Romantic Victorian poems written near the water and read by Oscar Wilde. They offer piercing insights into young, and sometimes, jaded love. Then there is the occasional ode to a vegetable or beverage. The poet opens doors into grief that allows one to share without crass intrusion.