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When the Light is Mine: Poetry for the People
A raw manifesto for anyone who has ever raged, doubted, or dreamed.
When the Light Is Mine is Chaz Holesworth’s debut poetry collection, a piercing blend of social critique and intimate confession. These poems confront the machinery of capitalism, the weight of organized religion, and the toxic myths we’re sold about money, power, and worth. At the same time, they cut deeply into personal the spirals of depression, the false promises of antidepressants, the ache of unfulfilled dreams, and the immaculate discovery of real love in an age of carefully curated personas.
Holesworth writes with a stream-of-consciousness urgency, transforming private struggles into universal truths. Whether he’s dismantling corporate lies or excavating the wreckage of self-loathing, his words refuse to look away.
As the pages turn, shadows give way to glimmers, proof that even in poverty and disillusionment, moments of clarity still break through. By the end, one question
When the light is finally yours, what will you choose to see?
Blending contemporary poetry, social commentary, and confessional verse, When the Light Is Mine speaks to readers of modern poetry collections about mental health, love, and resilience. This collection explores modern society, grappling with capitalism, faith, identity, depression, and survival before closing the collection on a hopeful note by exploring moments of true tenderness and connection. This is poetry for readers who resonate with introspective, socially aware, and emotionally honest writing—a collection that challenges, unsettles, and ultimately uplifts.
When the Light Is Mine is Chaz Holesworth’s debut poetry collection, a piercing blend of social critique and intimate confession. These poems confront the machinery of capitalism, the weight of organized religion, and the toxic myths we’re sold about money, power, and worth. At the same time, they cut deeply into personal the spirals of depression, the false promises of antidepressants, the ache of unfulfilled dreams, and the immaculate discovery of real love in an age of carefully curated personas.
Holesworth writes with a stream-of-consciousness urgency, transforming private struggles into universal truths. Whether he’s dismantling corporate lies or excavating the wreckage of self-loathing, his words refuse to look away.
As the pages turn, shadows give way to glimmers, proof that even in poverty and disillusionment, moments of clarity still break through. By the end, one question
When the light is finally yours, what will you choose to see?
Blending contemporary poetry, social commentary, and confessional verse, When the Light Is Mine speaks to readers of modern poetry collections about mental health, love, and resilience. This collection explores modern society, grappling with capitalism, faith, identity, depression, and survival before closing the collection on a hopeful note by exploring moments of true tenderness and connection. This is poetry for readers who resonate with introspective, socially aware, and emotionally honest writing—a collection that challenges, unsettles, and ultimately uplifts.
- GenresPoetry
127 pages, Paperback
Published September 3, 2025
9 people are currently reading
5 people want to read
About the author
Chaz Holesworth
4 books77 followersChaz Holesworth grew up in Philadelphia’s Kensington neighborhood, where addiction, poverty, and faith defined his daily life. Those experiences shaped his perspective and fueled his drive to write honestly about survival, memory, and meaning. Now living in the suburbs with his wife and their dog, he still carries Philly with him in his humor and his belief in standing up for the underdog.
When he isn’t writing, Chaz can be found at a live show, exploring new corners of the world, or enjoying a craft beer. A passionate advocate for social justice, he is deeply committed to championing the rights of workers and animals, striving to make a difference in the causes closest to his heart.
Life and How to Live It is his memoir series told with unflinching honesty. With his gift for storytelling, he writes to connect, to remember, and to show others that even in the darkest corners of the past, there is a way forward.
When he isn’t writing, Chaz can be found at a live show, exploring new corners of the world, or enjoying a craft beer. A passionate advocate for social justice, he is deeply committed to championing the rights of workers and animals, striving to make a difference in the causes closest to his heart.
Life and How to Live It is his memoir series told with unflinching honesty. With his gift for storytelling, he writes to connect, to remember, and to show others that even in the darkest corners of the past, there is a way forward.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
October 26, 2025
When the Light is Mine by Chaz Holesworth covers a variety of themes, but most of all, the lyrical poems speak to the injustices in our world. Each poem shows the deep passion of Holesworth; it’s clear that social injustice, hypocrisy in the church, and government overreach are highly important to Holesworth. Because of the visible passion and anger on each page, the reader can’t help but feel that emotion themselves. This makes When the Light is Mine an exceptional collection of poetry. When a poetry collection can impart a feeling to the reader, it has done its job successfully.
The poems generally follow a free verse style with some rhyming, though the rhymes are not always consistent; however, that does not take away from the style or reading experience. Holesworth himself mentions in the Introduction that he tends to lean toward lyrical poetry with a stream-of-consciousness style. The overall craft of each poem feels intentional, even if they do not follow traditional poetic conventions. The passion and themes are what propel these poems, and readers who wish to dig deeper into their own understanding of current events will appreciate that choice.
For readers who are looking for a lighter read, this is likely not the best choice—the intensity and raw emotion provoke profound contemplation. Holesworth explores explicit themes through powerful language and imagery. Sex, mental health, and religion are all discussed in tandem. For Holesworth and many others, these topics are closely intertwined; to address one subject, one usually must address the others. Each section in the collection covers aspects of these three motifs, and echoes of them are present throughout. I enjoyed the raw statements and comparisons made. The reading experience felt heavy, which seemed to be the intention.
To summarize, readers will appreciate the honesty, raw emotion, and passionate language present throughout When the Light is Mine. While the poems tended toward stream-of-consciousness, they were still impactful and poignant. The topics covered reveal insights into Holesworth’s inner world while maintaining relatability; there are many people who have faced injustice at the hands of the government, church, or society, and readers looking for some catharsis in that regard will thoroughly enjoy the poems in this collection.
The poems generally follow a free verse style with some rhyming, though the rhymes are not always consistent; however, that does not take away from the style or reading experience. Holesworth himself mentions in the Introduction that he tends to lean toward lyrical poetry with a stream-of-consciousness style. The overall craft of each poem feels intentional, even if they do not follow traditional poetic conventions. The passion and themes are what propel these poems, and readers who wish to dig deeper into their own understanding of current events will appreciate that choice.
For readers who are looking for a lighter read, this is likely not the best choice—the intensity and raw emotion provoke profound contemplation. Holesworth explores explicit themes through powerful language and imagery. Sex, mental health, and religion are all discussed in tandem. For Holesworth and many others, these topics are closely intertwined; to address one subject, one usually must address the others. Each section in the collection covers aspects of these three motifs, and echoes of them are present throughout. I enjoyed the raw statements and comparisons made. The reading experience felt heavy, which seemed to be the intention.
To summarize, readers will appreciate the honesty, raw emotion, and passionate language present throughout When the Light is Mine. While the poems tended toward stream-of-consciousness, they were still impactful and poignant. The topics covered reveal insights into Holesworth’s inner world while maintaining relatability; there are many people who have faced injustice at the hands of the government, church, or society, and readers looking for some catharsis in that regard will thoroughly enjoy the poems in this collection.
December 17, 2025
When the Light Is Mine is Chaz Holesworth’s debut poetry collection, presented in three sections. Holesworth presents a personal collection discussing love, life, loss, depression, religion, politics, and capitalism. It asks the reader to consider the reality of societal constructs under which the world has operated for centuries (even millennia) and to consider their impact and consequences on our world and on a personal level. When the Light is Mine is also a personal collection. We learn in the forward that it spans over a decade of time, including challenging times and struggles with depression.
I liked Holesworth’s style of writing the poems in the collection, using free verse and a “stream of consciousness” style of writing. I saw as well as the references to music, with stanzas in the poems having a lyrical structure and flow as well as references to specific musicians and songs, including R.E.M. I’ve seen other poets as well let go of the rules or conventions of poetry, creating their own structure for verse. It’s almost like a “no rules” approach to poetry. It’s something I’ve been enjoying as a reader of poetry. It enables poets to better show us as the reader their voice.
This collection takes readers on a journey, building to a hopeful conclusion. We see this shift in the third chapter of the collection. Finding love and hope in the midst of difficult times. I enjoyed thorough out this collection the questions posed to the reader - whether about the aforementioned societal constructs or in the description of the collection. How would you use light when hope is slowly presenting itself before you.
This collection emphasizes the power of love and the power of community. In times of feeling alone, seeking community and partnership can be quite healing and strengthening. I found this collection to be powerful, heartfelt, honest, and thought-provoking. Among the poems that resonated included “People need people,” “Into the arms of love,” “I saw the face of beauty and it made me shiver,” and “I wear my grin like an insecurity blanket.”
Congratulations, Chaz Holesworth on the debut collection & thank you for the gifted copy of this book and the opportunity to read and review this collection for the Love Books Tour! I was provided a copy of this book for free and am leaving an honest review.
I liked Holesworth’s style of writing the poems in the collection, using free verse and a “stream of consciousness” style of writing. I saw as well as the references to music, with stanzas in the poems having a lyrical structure and flow as well as references to specific musicians and songs, including R.E.M. I’ve seen other poets as well let go of the rules or conventions of poetry, creating their own structure for verse. It’s almost like a “no rules” approach to poetry. It’s something I’ve been enjoying as a reader of poetry. It enables poets to better show us as the reader their voice.
This collection takes readers on a journey, building to a hopeful conclusion. We see this shift in the third chapter of the collection. Finding love and hope in the midst of difficult times. I enjoyed thorough out this collection the questions posed to the reader - whether about the aforementioned societal constructs or in the description of the collection. How would you use light when hope is slowly presenting itself before you.
This collection emphasizes the power of love and the power of community. In times of feeling alone, seeking community and partnership can be quite healing and strengthening. I found this collection to be powerful, heartfelt, honest, and thought-provoking. Among the poems that resonated included “People need people,” “Into the arms of love,” “I saw the face of beauty and it made me shiver,” and “I wear my grin like an insecurity blanket.”
Congratulations, Chaz Holesworth on the debut collection & thank you for the gifted copy of this book and the opportunity to read and review this collection for the Love Books Tour! I was provided a copy of this book for free and am leaving an honest review.
November 20, 2025
It feels real and necessary to read.
Chaz Holesworth writes with a voice that doesn't try to sugarcoat anything: he questions the system, confronts his own fears, and exposes emotions that many feel but few dare to name. His poems combine social criticism with personal confessions, achieving a balance that feels real and necessary. What is most striking is how the author transforms difficult experiences such as depression, exhaustion with capitalism, or doubts about faith into clear and sensitive reflections. Even in the darkest moments, he leaves room for hope, tenderness, and the possibility of finding light amid the chaos. It is a book that invites you to think, feel, and question. Perfect for those looking for contemporary poetry that says something, that makes you a little uncomfortable, and that, in the end, leaves you with a feeling of companionship and authenticity.
Chaz Holesworth writes with a voice that doesn't try to sugarcoat anything: he questions the system, confronts his own fears, and exposes emotions that many feel but few dare to name. His poems combine social criticism with personal confessions, achieving a balance that feels real and necessary. What is most striking is how the author transforms difficult experiences such as depression, exhaustion with capitalism, or doubts about faith into clear and sensitive reflections. Even in the darkest moments, he leaves room for hope, tenderness, and the possibility of finding light amid the chaos. It is a book that invites you to think, feel, and question. Perfect for those looking for contemporary poetry that says something, that makes you a little uncomfortable, and that, in the end, leaves you with a feeling of companionship and authenticity.
November 19, 2025
When the Light is Mine by Chaz Holesworth is a promising debut poetry collection. Poetry fans will enjoy the real, raw voice and the current socioeconomic and personal topics the author engages with. The book covers everything from the challenges of capitalism, organised religion, and toxic societal expectations, to personal struggles with depression and love. I felt like I was able to connect with and explore these often challenging topics with the author. At the same time, the poems aren’t all doom and gloom. There is a thread of hope that balances the darker themes and leaves readers with a sense of optimism. If you are a lover of poetry looking to discover a new author, then you should definitely give this volume a try!
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December 18, 2025I will preface with this is outside my genre read, but i am trying to grow in appreciation of poetry.
It speaks to themes of love, loss, religion and the overall mood political forward.
It is not rhyme-y or haiku, I believe the author indicates more stream of consciousness, free verse maybe. The first poem had a line that really stood out for me “their lack of empathy has endangered trust”.
I always think poetry is a smart read, or maybe deep is the word and I feel like I am still in the shallow end! The metaphors were well written but I feel like I didn’t always get them or appreciate them.
The book is broken into sections by themes which was helpful in setting what stage you were at. There were definitely times that the poet was in darker stages of life and experiences that could be felt in the poems. Overall, a thought triggering work.
I received a copy from @lovebooktours to review in exchange for my review.
It speaks to themes of love, loss, religion and the overall mood political forward.
It is not rhyme-y or haiku, I believe the author indicates more stream of consciousness, free verse maybe. The first poem had a line that really stood out for me “their lack of empathy has endangered trust”.
I always think poetry is a smart read, or maybe deep is the word and I feel like I am still in the shallow end! The metaphors were well written but I feel like I didn’t always get them or appreciate them.
The book is broken into sections by themes which was helpful in setting what stage you were at. There were definitely times that the poet was in darker stages of life and experiences that could be felt in the poems. Overall, a thought triggering work.
I received a copy from @lovebooktours to review in exchange for my review.
December 18, 2025
Thank you to the author and Love Books tour for providing me with a copy.
I have always been a lover of poetry for as long as I can remember, so whenever I see a new poetry book I’ll be picking it up.
When The Light Is Mine is a collection of love, loss, religion, politics and healing. All the poems are written well, along with free versing that’s well descriptive.
As I was reading, I like to take my time reading each poem to understand the depth of the real meaning behind it. As you are reading you can feel and understand the emotions, which is powerful work from the author. This is not a light read, as it may be triggering to some. Mentions of religion, mental health, and the government system. it’s real and raw and something that others can enjoy and relate to if they like reading poetry.
I have always been a lover of poetry for as long as I can remember, so whenever I see a new poetry book I’ll be picking it up.
When The Light Is Mine is a collection of love, loss, religion, politics and healing. All the poems are written well, along with free versing that’s well descriptive.
As I was reading, I like to take my time reading each poem to understand the depth of the real meaning behind it. As you are reading you can feel and understand the emotions, which is powerful work from the author. This is not a light read, as it may be triggering to some. Mentions of religion, mental health, and the government system. it’s real and raw and something that others can enjoy and relate to if they like reading poetry.
November 19, 2025
I love finding poetry books where diverse themes emerge and resonate with me. This time, I read "When the Light is Mine" by Holesworth, and I must say I enjoyed it immensely. One of the things I liked most is that this author uses poems as a tool for social protest. This book undoubtedly explores countless themes, combining traditional and modern poetry.
Page after page, readers explore well-written poems on a variety of themes, making it impossible to put them down. I think the words were very well thought out and selected by this author. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys literature, and especially poetry.
Page after page, readers explore well-written poems on a variety of themes, making it impossible to put them down. I think the words were very well thought out and selected by this author. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys literature, and especially poetry.
November 22, 2025
The cover of this book was the first thing that caught my attention and motivated me to read it. It’s very simple but at the same time mysterious, so it captivates anyone who lays eyes on it. Second, it’s a short masterpiece, which is a great advantage for those of us who have little free time.
Once I started reading it, there were several elements that I liked: its inspirational content, the fact that each poem takes up a whole page, which gives me visual peace, and last but not least, each page exudes faith.
I’m so blessed and grateful to have found this title! I’ll keep reading it again and again.
Once I started reading it, there were several elements that I liked: its inspirational content, the fact that each poem takes up a whole page, which gives me visual peace, and last but not least, each page exudes faith.
I’m so blessed and grateful to have found this title! I’ll keep reading it again and again.
January 7, 2026
When the Light is Mine is a sincere and emotionally grounded poetry collection that explores love, healing, and self discovery with quiet honesty. Many of the poems feel comforting and reflective, offering moments of clarity and emotional connection.
I’m giving this book four stars instead of five because some poems felt very similar in tone, and I found myself wishing for a bit more variation in pacing and structure. Still, the emotional sincerity and gentle message throughout the collection made it a meaningful and enjoyable read overall.
A strong choice for readers who appreciate reflective, heart centered poetry.
I’m giving this book four stars instead of five because some poems felt very similar in tone, and I found myself wishing for a bit more variation in pacing and structure. Still, the emotional sincerity and gentle message throughout the collection made it a meaningful and enjoyable read overall.
A strong choice for readers who appreciate reflective, heart centered poetry.
January 7, 2026
When the Light is Mine is a sincere and emotionally grounded poetry collection that explores love, healing, and self-discovery with quiet honesty. Many of the poems feel comforting and reflective, offering moments of clarity and emotional connection.
I’m giving this book four stars instead of five because some poems felt very similar in tone, and I found myself wishing for a bit more variation in pacing and structure. Still, the emotional sincerity and gentle message throughout the collection made it a meaningful and enjoyable read overall.
A strong choice for readers who appreciate reflective, heart-centered poetry.
I’m giving this book four stars instead of five because some poems felt very similar in tone, and I found myself wishing for a bit more variation in pacing and structure. Still, the emotional sincerity and gentle message throughout the collection made it a meaningful and enjoyable read overall.
A strong choice for readers who appreciate reflective, heart-centered poetry.
December 18, 2025
4.5 stars rounded up.
This is a thoughtful, emotionally raw poetry collection. The collection is organized into sections based on themes of loss, religion, politics and love. I love the style in which this poetry is written. It doesn't feel gimmicky or confined by structure rules. It feels free, flowing, and expressive.
The religion and love themes spoke the most, or perhaps the loudest, to me. A really beautiful and thought provoking collection.
💜 Thank you so much to Chaz Holesworth and Love Books Tours for this #gifted review copy of When the Light is Mine!
This is a thoughtful, emotionally raw poetry collection. The collection is organized into sections based on themes of loss, religion, politics and love. I love the style in which this poetry is written. It doesn't feel gimmicky or confined by structure rules. It feels free, flowing, and expressive.
The religion and love themes spoke the most, or perhaps the loudest, to me. A really beautiful and thought provoking collection.
💜 Thank you so much to Chaz Holesworth and Love Books Tours for this #gifted review copy of When the Light is Mine!
December 19, 2025
I won’t pretend to be any kind of expert on poetry as it’s something I’ve only become more interested in recently, but when reading When the Light is Mine, I could feel the emotion behind the words on the page. The poems speak to the climate of today and the social, economic, religious, and political divide. However, not only are there themes of loss, despair, and hopelessness, there are also ones of love, happiness, and hope. I believe that even if you don’t always understand what is being said, you can understand the heart and emotion behind it which can be more beautiful than the words.
January 8, 2026
These short poems really spoke to me! I'm someone who has battled with depression, which often comes out as anger, so I really connected on a personal level.
My favourite line was "I can't remember myself when I was me. So, onward it is with the pretending" which is from the poem 'Short Term Memory Something'. I definitely have periods where I forget who I really am, although this is also because we are constantly changing and evolving.
This book also served as a reminder to look for the glimmers in life. The Light always overcomes the darkness.
My favourite line was "I can't remember myself when I was me. So, onward it is with the pretending" which is from the poem 'Short Term Memory Something'. I definitely have periods where I forget who I really am, although this is also because we are constantly changing and evolving.
This book also served as a reminder to look for the glimmers in life. The Light always overcomes the darkness.
January 7, 2026
When the Light is Mine is a gentle and thoughtful poetry collection that speaks to real human emotions. The poems feel honest and reflective, touching on love, loss, and personal growth in a way that is calm and comforting. It is the kind of book you read slowly and return to when you need clarity or peace.
January 7, 2026
This collection feels deeply personal without being overwhelming. Chaz Holesworth writes with sincerity, and many of the poems feel like quiet conversations with yourself. It is especially meaningful for readers who are searching for healing, direction, or emotional connection.
January 7, 2026
What stood out to me most was the emotional honesty in these poems. The writing is not complicated, yet it carries depth and warmth. When the Light is Mine offers moments of reflection that feel grounding and reassuring, especially during difficult or uncertain times.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews