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Catch a Poem by the Tale: A Compilation of Poetry and Ponderance
'Inspiration to Angst, Despair to Triumph with a healthy side of humor.' A quick glimpse into the whirlwind life of singer, songwriter, Streisand impersonator, visual artist and writer Michelle Monet through her newest creative poetry. This eclectic 'poetic memoir' from the multi-talented Michelle Monet runs the gamut of themes from her feelings on creative expression & her newfound love of writing to grief, despair, creative burnout, anger ---to hope. Her down to earth and honest expressions of the world as seen through her creative mind is sure to connect at some level with everyone. She also shares her original drawings in this fun flight into the world of this multi-faceted creative human being.
166 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 29, 2016
11 people are currently reading
5 people want to read
About the author
Michelle Monet
11 books33 followersMichelle Monet is a multi-faceted creative human being.
Her career began as a singer/songwriter guitarist act in lounges around the Denver area. She progressed to performing her original music in cabaret clubs and concert halls around the US. In 1989 she landed the role as a Barbra Streisand impersonator for the hit show Legends in Concert. She traveled throughout the US appearing in Las Vegas, Lake Tahoe, and Atlantic City, and around the world in countries from Russia to Japan to South Africa.
In 1996, while starring in a production in Sun City, South Africa she suddenly had a passion to switch callings. She began studying visual art. Since then she has sold her art in her gallery/studio and at art shows and festivals. She continues to make and sell her unique creations for happy customers and collectors.
Her upcoming Memoir will be about her life in show business including her surviving domestic violence, panic disorder and a dependency on prescribed medication.
These days you can find Michelle typing away on her next few books and chilling with her five cats and boyfriend Bob in the Smoky Mountains.
_____________________________________________
CONTACT INFORMATION-
michelle@michellemonet.com
www.mmichellemonet.com
Her career began as a singer/songwriter guitarist act in lounges around the Denver area. She progressed to performing her original music in cabaret clubs and concert halls around the US. In 1989 she landed the role as a Barbra Streisand impersonator for the hit show Legends in Concert. She traveled throughout the US appearing in Las Vegas, Lake Tahoe, and Atlantic City, and around the world in countries from Russia to Japan to South Africa.
In 1996, while starring in a production in Sun City, South Africa she suddenly had a passion to switch callings. She began studying visual art. Since then she has sold her art in her gallery/studio and at art shows and festivals. She continues to make and sell her unique creations for happy customers and collectors.
Her upcoming Memoir will be about her life in show business including her surviving domestic violence, panic disorder and a dependency on prescribed medication.
These days you can find Michelle typing away on her next few books and chilling with her five cats and boyfriend Bob in the Smoky Mountains.
_____________________________________________
CONTACT INFORMATION-
michelle@michellemonet.com
www.mmichellemonet.com
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
October 4, 2016
The poetry of Michelle Monet, "Catch a Poem by the Tale: A Compilation of Poetry and Ponderance" these detailed story poems and verse truly highlights the experience of emotional depth and intensity. There are seven chapters, all which include about 20 poems each with original art drawings, illustrations, and photography that captivate the senses and imagination in relation to everyday life of the poet and reader.
Chapter 1: Writing & Creativity ~ Poems include, "Poetry Defined"- "Is it Selfish to Be a Writer?"- "Catch A Poem By the Tale" In addition to Monet being a former performing artist, she is a singer, songwriter, and guitarist deeply appreciating how writing has impacted her life, especially with its value and therapeutic effects.
Chapter 2: Thoughts Deep & Lighthearted ~ Inspired by creative thinkers, Oscar Wilde, Mark Twain, Andy Rooney. "He writes about the small things which stands for all things" (ARUNDHATIROY) ~ Monet covers themes in this chapter mainly related to aging, including a poem of her youth "When I Was 15". I loved her cartoonish illustrations.
Chapter 3: Sadness & Grieving ~ "Poetry is when a emotion has found its thought and the thought has found words." (Robert Frost) This was a time of devastating loss of her pet for Monet, she was also "bewildered" by a creative block that challenged her ability to write and make art. Included are the poems "Quicksand"- "Back To The Abyss"- "Tripped"- "My First Day Without Him".
Chapter 4: People - Places - Food ~ Despite her tremendous love for poetry and creative writing, it was surprising that Monet is a Foodie, with her opening poem "A Waitress At The Steakhouse." - Quickly reverting back to "Van Gogh's Brother"- "A Day At The Bookstore"- "Julie Andrews"- "The Donald Or The Cruz?" Other poems are about her fondness for Lake Tahoe, the glitz, rush of tourists.
Chapter 5: Cape Town: "To elevate the soul is necessary" (Ezra Pound). By 1996 Monet was reaching burn-out from her work as a show girl imitating Barbra Streisand at the Palace Resort Hotel, Sun City, South Africa. In addition, she suffered at the hands of a violent/thieving husband. In this adversity she discovered drawing/art and worked through these challenging stages. Includes: "Don't Rain On Her Charade"- "Stage Fright"- "I Drew A Thousand Pictures".
Chapter 6: Anger & Burnout: From 2000-2008 Monet enjoyed selling her art in her own studio/gallery. With the 2008 economy crisis, she was forced to close her studio and began selling her art in craft shows/festivals which was more difficult with travel and set-up each time. "Rage Trip"- "Travelling Artist Blues"- "tsunami"- "Panic Attack Poem"- "Artist For Sale" are written about this time, many poems are longer reflections of this trying time.
Chapter 7: Hope & Inspiration ~ This final chapter is really uplifting and includes some favorite poetry in the collection. "Back In My Art Room" features a magnificent art piece of a cat painting. "Can't Put Into Words"- "The Best Things In Life"- "Something Beautiful"- "Have Fun!" all celebrate the artistic spirit.
In closing, Monet defines her impressive anthology as a poetic memoir and journey; representing a time frame of over 2 decades. Extra insight included a meaningful revealing story-- "The 'M' Poem". With thanks and appreciation for the e-book value which made this review possible.
Chapter 1: Writing & Creativity ~ Poems include, "Poetry Defined"- "Is it Selfish to Be a Writer?"- "Catch A Poem By the Tale" In addition to Monet being a former performing artist, she is a singer, songwriter, and guitarist deeply appreciating how writing has impacted her life, especially with its value and therapeutic effects.
Chapter 2: Thoughts Deep & Lighthearted ~ Inspired by creative thinkers, Oscar Wilde, Mark Twain, Andy Rooney. "He writes about the small things which stands for all things" (ARUNDHATIROY) ~ Monet covers themes in this chapter mainly related to aging, including a poem of her youth "When I Was 15". I loved her cartoonish illustrations.
Chapter 3: Sadness & Grieving ~ "Poetry is when a emotion has found its thought and the thought has found words." (Robert Frost) This was a time of devastating loss of her pet for Monet, she was also "bewildered" by a creative block that challenged her ability to write and make art. Included are the poems "Quicksand"- "Back To The Abyss"- "Tripped"- "My First Day Without Him".
Chapter 4: People - Places - Food ~ Despite her tremendous love for poetry and creative writing, it was surprising that Monet is a Foodie, with her opening poem "A Waitress At The Steakhouse." - Quickly reverting back to "Van Gogh's Brother"- "A Day At The Bookstore"- "Julie Andrews"- "The Donald Or The Cruz?" Other poems are about her fondness for Lake Tahoe, the glitz, rush of tourists.
Chapter 5: Cape Town: "To elevate the soul is necessary" (Ezra Pound). By 1996 Monet was reaching burn-out from her work as a show girl imitating Barbra Streisand at the Palace Resort Hotel, Sun City, South Africa. In addition, she suffered at the hands of a violent/thieving husband. In this adversity she discovered drawing/art and worked through these challenging stages. Includes: "Don't Rain On Her Charade"- "Stage Fright"- "I Drew A Thousand Pictures".
Chapter 6: Anger & Burnout: From 2000-2008 Monet enjoyed selling her art in her own studio/gallery. With the 2008 economy crisis, she was forced to close her studio and began selling her art in craft shows/festivals which was more difficult with travel and set-up each time. "Rage Trip"- "Travelling Artist Blues"- "tsunami"- "Panic Attack Poem"- "Artist For Sale" are written about this time, many poems are longer reflections of this trying time.
Chapter 7: Hope & Inspiration ~ This final chapter is really uplifting and includes some favorite poetry in the collection. "Back In My Art Room" features a magnificent art piece of a cat painting. "Can't Put Into Words"- "The Best Things In Life"- "Something Beautiful"- "Have Fun!" all celebrate the artistic spirit.
In closing, Monet defines her impressive anthology as a poetic memoir and journey; representing a time frame of over 2 decades. Extra insight included a meaningful revealing story-- "The 'M' Poem". With thanks and appreciation for the e-book value which made this review possible.
October 15, 2017
To be honest, I'm unsure of why I didn't write a review right when I finished this book. Maybe it would have meant more than because you'll hear my thoughts from the very moment I finished.
Either way, I enjoy these poems. No I did more than just enjoy I loved them, I felt them, I understood some in a way to my own life and these poems inspire me. Michelle Monet inspired me.
When I first read this book I was going through a lot, unsure of so much. I wanted to read something light and so I choose to read some poetry. This was the book I had chosen. I started this book knowing nothing about it except for that it was poetry, knowing nothing about the author besides that she's an author and she wrote some poetry. Reading the book made it feel like I was so much closer to her, like she had become a part of me. This book helped inspire me, get me to doing what I wanted to do. Helped me shed my tears on paper and not just the floor.
This book hasn't left my mind since I finished it two or three months ago. Maybe I hadn't wrote this review because I didn't know what to say. I was scared of saying anything wrong that would ruin how greatly this book touched me. But it did reach it's fingers out to me, it took my hand and showed me a path, a journey, showed me I was someone. I could do something. It helped show me that times go bad, don't give up, get up, get stronger, lean on someone sometimes. It taught me that when you loose someone it doesn't mean you have to forget them, it doesn't mean that you can forget them, it just means that they were there for you when alive and they've left a part of themselves with you.
I wish to own this book one day, have the pages in my hand, be able to imagine the ink that the author bled to write these poems instead of just reading them on my small phone screen, still imaging how it was, but not feeling as connected as I could.
These poems saved my life in a way I never thought possible and for that I thank Michelle Monet, the outstanding writer of them all.
Either way, I enjoy these poems. No I did more than just enjoy I loved them, I felt them, I understood some in a way to my own life and these poems inspire me. Michelle Monet inspired me.
When I first read this book I was going through a lot, unsure of so much. I wanted to read something light and so I choose to read some poetry. This was the book I had chosen. I started this book knowing nothing about it except for that it was poetry, knowing nothing about the author besides that she's an author and she wrote some poetry. Reading the book made it feel like I was so much closer to her, like she had become a part of me. This book helped inspire me, get me to doing what I wanted to do. Helped me shed my tears on paper and not just the floor.
This book hasn't left my mind since I finished it two or three months ago. Maybe I hadn't wrote this review because I didn't know what to say. I was scared of saying anything wrong that would ruin how greatly this book touched me. But it did reach it's fingers out to me, it took my hand and showed me a path, a journey, showed me I was someone. I could do something. It helped show me that times go bad, don't give up, get up, get stronger, lean on someone sometimes. It taught me that when you loose someone it doesn't mean you have to forget them, it doesn't mean that you can forget them, it just means that they were there for you when alive and they've left a part of themselves with you.
I wish to own this book one day, have the pages in my hand, be able to imagine the ink that the author bled to write these poems instead of just reading them on my small phone screen, still imaging how it was, but not feeling as connected as I could.
These poems saved my life in a way I never thought possible and for that I thank Michelle Monet, the outstanding writer of them all.
August 17, 2016
With raw honesty and vivid language, Michelle Monet paints a picture of her life through her poems—some funny and quirky, some searingly painful, some poignant-- but all representative of the multifaceted person she is, who has tapped into her creative well. The reader experiences a roller coaster of emotions as she takes us through key events in her life—her rocky marriage to a charming but abusive spouse, her years on stage impersonating Barbra Streisand when she craved solitude, the death of her beloved cat, Big Boy, the agony and ecstasy of her writing life to name a few. She organizes her poems into seven chapters: The Writing Life and Creativity; Thoughts Deep and Lighthearted; Sadness and Grief; Food-People-Places; Capetown; Anger and Burnout, ending on a positive note with Hope and Inspiration. It was an absorbing and entertaining read and I finished it in one sitting. I look forward to reading more work from this author.
August 5, 2016
VERY EMOTIONAL
I so rarely read poetry - since tearing apart every line for English exams took all the pleasure away for me. I was given this book for an honest review and I was bowled over by the power of emotion I experienced going through the pages. I read the book all the way through at one sitting, but I think this is a book to dip into again and again. There is no doubt this author can write, and has chosen great combinations of words but in my opinion the different rhyming and pace of every poem is so marked that each one is best read in isolation, slowly and savoured.
I so rarely read poetry - since tearing apart every line for English exams took all the pleasure away for me. I was given this book for an honest review and I was bowled over by the power of emotion I experienced going through the pages. I read the book all the way through at one sitting, but I think this is a book to dip into again and again. There is no doubt this author can write, and has chosen great combinations of words but in my opinion the different rhyming and pace of every poem is so marked that each one is best read in isolation, slowly and savoured.
December 30, 2016
Star number three is for the honesty and bravery it takes to document one's life with poetry. But the sad fact is I just didn't enjoy these poems very much. There's nothing wrong with raw expression, but when I read poems I expect more in the way of craft. in this book, I only got the sense that Monet was stretching herself a handful of times - for the most part, it was obvious rhymes and predictable meters.
January 7, 2018
I really enjoyed these poems! Even though I'm at a different stage of life than the author, I could still really relate to a lot of what she wrote. I think it'd be a good idea for me to buy the paperback copy, for inspiration and to remember I'm not alone. Us creative types have to stick together, right? :)
August 27, 2018
Just finished "Catch a Poem" and loved the meditative, reflective tone of many of the poems--"In 20 Years", "Poetry Defined," "Back to Being Kind", "How Long?", "Diving Board", "Blank Canvas" as well as the occasional humorous one--"Fat Skinny & In Between". Together with the original art illustrations by Monet, this is truly a collection of poems like a "falling star" that you want to put into your pocket and treasure!--Diana Y. Paul, author of Things Unsaid
March 12, 2019
Michelle Monet has a fun loving way with poems. Whether you like light and "Suessy", or heart rendering poetry, she'll keep you turning the pages until The End. Love her writing style. Would highly recommend!
October 25, 2019
i thoroughly enjoyed the lightness and fun of this collection of poems by Michelle
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews