Afterglow

by Guy Conner

"Pain leads to art; happiness leads to a good night's sleep." Guy Conner

Afterglow is a small book of ten poems; each poem is about a different aspect of personal relationships. It is the first book in the series "Ten Poems for Under a Buck."
This series is a set of four books; each book is about a topic the average person can relate to: Love, Death, and Family Matters in additioin to personal relationships. The poems in each book are desired to appeal to lovers of poetry and to ordinary readers.

You can read these poems aloud, and enjoy theboth ir particular music, or you can contemplate them in silence, and think about your own relationships. Either way, it'll cost you less than a buck...

From the Aurhor:
I don’t know about you, but I’ve always been a fool about relationships. I create an imaginary scenario about someone I’m interested in, and then am crushed when it doesn’t work out in reality. I sense a bit of a spark with someone, and assume it’s going to burst into flame. I’m devastated every time I’m shot down, and I never think about the times I’ve been equally unconsciously cruel to someone else.

Come to think of it, I also make the opposite kind of mistake. When someone shows an obvious interest in me, I do my best to make sure nothing comes of it. And I have had more than one long-term friendship, where I was blind to other possibilities. In short, I have many years of experience of putting barriers in the way of my own happiness.

These poems are my reflections on some of those experiences, and those of others whom I’ve observed. They tend to be downbeat or sad because they reflect the kinds of pain we encounter in our daily lives, and it is pain that leads to art. Happiness leads to a good night’s sleep.

Genres: Poetry

20 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 15, 2018

Reviews

[Cookie M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Picking up a book of poems by someone you never heard of is always risky. There are way more bad poets out there than good ones, and every bad poet thinks they are Walt Whitman.
Guy Conner, I am happy to say, doesn't think he is Walt Whitman. He knows exactly who he is and his poetry reflects that. It is readable, relatable and comfortable to have around when you need it. Whitman's poetry is, too, but he didn't sell his stuff "ten poems for a buck."

I have another of the books in Mr. Conner's series. I am sure I will like it, too.

I received this book free in exchange for an honest review on Goodreads.

[Amy Ingalls · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this little book of poetry in a Goodreads Giveaway. I enjoyed it-- the poems have a nice rhythm and would be fairly easy to memorize. I teach middle school and I think that I will introduce my students to the poem Courtship. I think the idea of liking someone and being brave enough to tell her, only to be told that she would love to be your friend, is a perfect theme for my 8th graders. I am always trying to get them interested and invested in poetry and love being exposed to new poets.

[Finley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free digital copy of this book through a giveaway hosted on GoodReads.

Afterglow, the first in Guy Conner’s Ten Poems for Under a Buck, examined relationships: the way we are hurt by them, given hope by them, and the way that being in a relationship can make your realize things about yourself. In addition to the ten poems, Conner also gives insight into when each was written and what his mindset and life was like at the time. Although I did not take his advice to read them aloud (I share a home with my family, and I suspect my dog is the only one who would not be annoyed with my suddenly reciting verse), I can see how doing so could be fun and enlightening. Although I lived some poems (Courtship, The Palace) more than others (Farewell to Arms), they were all very short and to the point, and conveyed the thoughts and feelings that the poet felt at the time very well. For someone going through relationship troubles, or who just likes to read poetry when they have a few spare moments, this is definitely worth the cost, and more. The notes at the end also add a special garnish to each, as they not only help you make connections to the intended message, but I decided to reread each poem after reading each accompanying note, and found myself enjoying them even more the second time than the first.

[Gloria Zak · Rating 5 out of 5]

First, I received this book through the Goodreads giveaway program and thank the author for the opportunity to read this book

I enjoy poetry, but don't enjoy all poetry. This book was great. Easy to read, easy to understand, some poems had rhyming, others were free form. I didn't like all poems equally, but enjoyed the substance of each. I started writing down the poems I truly enjoyed so I could highlight my favorites, but ended up with most of the poems on my list!! I truly could sense how the many aspects of romance wound its way through this book.

Thoroughly enjoyed and agree it should be read again and again to get the full flavor of the story in each poem. KUDOs

[Katelyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short but deep reflections on Relationships

This is one of several series of poems by Conner. His attempt to make poetry accessible to the masses by writing both about topics people can relate and at an affordable price is a great way to do this. I particularly liked his short summary at the end that explained why he wrote each piece. I look forward to reading more of Guy Conner's worlds.

[Shyanna Nahwahquaw · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this book in a goodreads giveaway and was very happy with what I read. It was short and simple and easy to understand. It made me think a little after each poem which was great. Some poetry you don’t really know what’s going on so I liked that this was easier. Good book!

[Yare Espinoza · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won this book in a Giveaway here on Goodreads and my review is my honest opinion about the book.

I was pleasantly surprised by this book and how much I enjoyed it. At the beginning of the book the author address the audiences and states why poems are important for him and how he hopes we can use the poems that he has in his book. He suggests that we choose one of the poems that we like and read it when we need it in our lives which I really liked the idea.

The poem that I liked the most was The Palace and it resonates with some aspects of my current life and I think that I would try to put into practice what Guy Conner suggested and keep the poem with me.

I would recommend this book to anyone looking for some inspiration in there lives.

[Raquel (Silver Valkyrie Reads) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think I had a hard time connecting with most of these because they were (a) depressing, and (b) the wrong KIND of depressing for my relationship experiences. There were two I really liked and none I loved, but the poetry itself isn't bad.

[Edward Dwyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great value

Bleak, sad and depressing (I had another word...), but good stuff! Looking forward to the next volume. And the next...and the next.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable poems

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

~Disclaimer: I received a free kindle copy~

Honestly, this wasn't as good as some of the other, but if you like the other books it may be worth a looksee.

[Sophie Bowns · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short but beautifully written!