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100
After a tumultuous couple of years, I realized I needed to make some changes. I hadn’t written much of anything that felt fresh, new, or exciting…and with the help and encouragement of a few online friends, I slowly jumped back in with a “Give It 100”-type of project. While raw and unbalanced at times, the progression (and emotion) is real. What emerged became a furious mixture of politics, relationships, and the internal struggles that life provides us whether we’re equipped to handle them or not. And what began as an exercise in “just starting back up again” turned into a rebirth and reclamation of maybe the one skill/hobby/function I’m truly most capable of loving. This book is the start of a process, and it is just that…a time of re-learning myself, what it means to be a writer, and understanding that the idea isn’t to be great but to be always getting better. I think I’ve accomplished that here, and I have no doubt that the coming years will prove that this stepping stone of sorts will turn into a springboard awaiting my launch into deeper, better, and stronger work overall.
There is humor, sadness, struggle, and growth in this collection. You can’t paint it with one brush. This is one human being’s experience; the world as seen through my eyes…ups and downs; rights and wrongs. For the many spectrums we can slice life into, this collection begins to fill in the blurred lines entrenched in our realities. And while it didn’t make me whole, it helped me begin to put my life back together. And getting to this point in a description has made my mom proud…that’s all I could ask for (well, that, and you as a reader liking it and getting the point and the picture). So…thanks. I love you and you matter.
There is humor, sadness, struggle, and growth in this collection. You can’t paint it with one brush. This is one human being’s experience; the world as seen through my eyes…ups and downs; rights and wrongs. For the many spectrums we can slice life into, this collection begins to fill in the blurred lines entrenched in our realities. And while it didn’t make me whole, it helped me begin to put my life back together. And getting to this point in a description has made my mom proud…that’s all I could ask for (well, that, and you as a reader liking it and getting the point and the picture). So…thanks. I love you and you matter.
Kindle Edition
Published June 27, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
September 11, 2019
I found Norb Aikin’s poetry collection 100 highly relatable – describing aspects of the human “rat race” with its combination of chaos and moments of clarity. I enjoyed Aikin’s use of repetition, varying line lengths and form, as well as his apt word choices on each page. Some of the style reminded me of my favourite Tragically Hip and Pearl Jam lyrics, in that there was a musical rhythm and flow begging to be spoken aloud and performed. Good examples are “Donye” and “Major Bomb”.
Aikin’s poetry questions life and society, pointing out “we’re just little pieces of something much bigger”. I was deeply moved by “One Leave, Two Return”, especially the phrasing on the second page: “But when you’re out and that bugle plays its final notes, you’re on your own./That’s when life really starts.”
Aikin’s 100 is a must-read poetry collection that doesn’t shy away from the darker feelings of daily monotony, but also shows a brighter side of living that we can all strive for. As real as the emotions were on each page, I wasn’t left with a sense of bitterness. Aikin’s writing inspires thoughtful reflection. 5 stars!
Aikin’s poetry questions life and society, pointing out “we’re just little pieces of something much bigger”. I was deeply moved by “One Leave, Two Return”, especially the phrasing on the second page: “But when you’re out and that bugle plays its final notes, you’re on your own./That’s when life really starts.”
Aikin’s 100 is a must-read poetry collection that doesn’t shy away from the darker feelings of daily monotony, but also shows a brighter side of living that we can all strive for. As real as the emotions were on each page, I wasn’t left with a sense of bitterness. Aikin’s writing inspires thoughtful reflection. 5 stars!
August 31, 2019
This collection of edgy poetry is wonderfully satirical, loaded with musically rhythmic freeverse goodness. A very enjoyable read!
October 23, 2019
Norb Aiken's poetry is poignantly unique, yet conversely relevant, not only to what people today are dealing with but also what's been going on in our world for millennia: an aspiration to break the mould of what society has pigeon-holed us to be.
Mr. Aiken handles clever alliterative techniques, catchy two-word phrases unique to his writing style, along with his own signature of intelligent, sometimes even comical analogy and metaphor, with finesse. His verbiage is clear but concise, and maintains smooth readability throughout this debut.
Some of the concepts he expertly deals with are mental health and maintaining his authentic identity; but Mr. Aiken eschews screaming his experiences and viewpoints outright at his readers (as any good poet will).
I enjoyed reading this book and look forward to the next publication from Mr. Aik—Norb. Just Norb ;-)
Mr. Aiken handles clever alliterative techniques, catchy two-word phrases unique to his writing style, along with his own signature of intelligent, sometimes even comical analogy and metaphor, with finesse. His verbiage is clear but concise, and maintains smooth readability throughout this debut.
Some of the concepts he expertly deals with are mental health and maintaining his authentic identity; but Mr. Aiken eschews screaming his experiences and viewpoints outright at his readers (as any good poet will).
I enjoyed reading this book and look forward to the next publication from Mr. Aik—Norb. Just Norb ;-)
August 8, 2018
Norb's poetry touches you on so many levels as you take the journey with him. His imagery and words are compelling and thought provoking. I've enjoyed reading many of the poems more than once and each time found new meaning.
I'm looking forward to adding more of his work to my poetry collection.
I'm looking forward to adding more of his work to my poetry collection.
June 29, 2024
This book of poetry was quite the ruckus. This authors words are deep and thoughtful and real I can see a glimpse into his life. And I know these are Coming from a deep place. I recommend this book to any anyone who is interested in poetry. I look forward to reading more. Sorry this review took a long time. I didn’t get into reading until this year. Now I can’t be stopped and I look forward to reading more. I give this book 5 stars. Voot voot. I could picture an argument about Chinese food. Somewhere in here. we are men action lies. Do not become us. Stop with the rhymes I mean it, anybody want peanut. We all can’t be children of Greg.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews