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Optimistic Melancholy: A Collection Of Poetic Defiance's
The poetic musings of an awareness that has tried and failed tried again and failed again. How does the Manic-Depressive shine through the forlorn thoughts to ascend from the ashes of desperate moments? Poems from a heart and mind that gains insight from suffering fighting and rising with the sun of another day. Taking the pieces and making them whole again is sometimes a struggle but always a journey worth taking to become something more. With words, I am set free and given the ability to fly among the stars. So come and travel with me into the depths of a life filled with light and the ever-present darkness, for you cannot have one without the other.
31 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 2, 2019
About the author
G. Edward Smith
18 books13 followers I am a writer, at least trying to be, that has finally concluded that this is what I want to continue to do with my life from here on out. The reasons for this are many: 1) Writing relaxes me in a way that nothing else ever has. 2) I get to create an imaginary world populated with characters that are as confused, anxious, scared, brave, heroic, and evil as I am or sometimes want to be. 3) Writing is amusing and frustrating—a great combination. 4) I love creating something out of nothing. And so on and so on. My genre of interest is mystery/suspense/murder with a touch of thriller and horror thrown in for good measure.
I was born in Ohio in October 1974. After graduating from high school in Indiana, I wondered around the states for a few years playing in bands, you can check out some original music on my blog, before joining the Army as a satellite communications technician. I spent two years with the 101st Airborne, thirteen months in Afghanistan, and two years in Alaska before returning home to Indiana. I was diagnosed with Agoraphobia and Bipolar Manic Depression some years back, and that has opened my eyes to a whole new world of introspection, thought, and way of life. I stay inside a lot with Serica my cat and sometimes walk around the lakes surrounding my house taking my camera and trying to catch some of nature’s beauty and stillness. Of course, I love to read every chance I get, and I am always looking for that next great story.
Follow G.Edward Smith on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Smithglenne
Follow G.Edward Smith on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gedward.smit...
Follow G.Edward Smiths Blog: https://gedwardsmithblog.com/
I was born in Ohio in October 1974. After graduating from high school in Indiana, I wondered around the states for a few years playing in bands, you can check out some original music on my blog, before joining the Army as a satellite communications technician. I spent two years with the 101st Airborne, thirteen months in Afghanistan, and two years in Alaska before returning home to Indiana. I was diagnosed with Agoraphobia and Bipolar Manic Depression some years back, and that has opened my eyes to a whole new world of introspection, thought, and way of life. I stay inside a lot with Serica my cat and sometimes walk around the lakes surrounding my house taking my camera and trying to catch some of nature’s beauty and stillness. Of course, I love to read every chance I get, and I am always looking for that next great story.
Follow G.Edward Smith on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Smithglenne
Follow G.Edward Smith on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gedward.smit...
Follow G.Edward Smiths Blog: https://gedwardsmithblog.com/
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
December 13, 2019
[English review + Reseña en español]
Optimistic Melancholy —A Collection of Poetic Defiance's, by G. Edward Smith
(Independent) 2019
31 pages.
Genre: Poetry
Twenty-five short poems that, like sparks of light, jump unto us from the darkness and isolation, interpreting the positive struggle of that who, having been diagnosed with agoraphobia and bipolarity, choses to go ahead and accept the contradiction of his own existence. The animals of the forest lurk in each verse as a reflection of their counterparts in the mind ("These beasts within are here till the end")
G. Edward Smith projects and recreates his trip, always challenging ("You left me here to die / yet you forgot I knew your lie (...) This is now — you must go"), expanding from the abysses like the branches of a tree in perpetual growth ("I am without me / stretching branches / longing to see"), but without ever losing the awareness that each daylight walk will have its reverse, obeying the rhythmic breathing of its own being ("With a sleight of hand / this all begins / another lost day / too soon it ends").
Through creative introspection and an excellent poetic exercise of permanent swinging that could hardly be understood if one did not approach the cliff of the specific circumstances along with the writer, the poems take us by the hand right to the end of the day ("This morning will fade never to return") and back home after sunset ("Give in to the day / rise from where you lay (...) and just for a passing breath / you can forgo another death”); giving and receiving; setting limits and surpassing them, like a loner in search who already knows he is complete within himself and that, like the seasons, dies every day to return to life.
An absolute recommended read!
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Optimistic Melancholy —A Collection of Poetic Defiance's, por G. Edward Smith
(Independiente) 2019
31 páginas.
Género: Poesía
Veinticinco poemas cortos que, como chispazos de luz, saltan desde la oscuridad y el aislamiento, interpretando la lucha positiva de quien, habiendo sido diagnosticado con agorafobia y bipolaridad, decide seguir adelante y aceptar la contradicción de su existencia. Las bestias del bosque merodean en cada verso como reflejo de sus contrapartes en la mente (“These beasts within are here till the end")
G. Edward Smith se proyecta y recrea su viaje, siempre desafiante ("You left me here to die / yet you forgot I knew your lie (...) This is now—you must go"), expandiéndose desde los abismos como las ramas de un árbol en perpetuo crecimiento ("I am without me / stretching branches / longing to see"), pero sin perder jamás la conciencia de que cada caminata a la luz del día tendrá su revés, obedeciendo a la respiración rítmica de su propio ser ("With a sleight of hand / this all begins / another lost day / too soon it ends").
A través de la introspección creativa y en un excelente ejercicio poético de permanente vaivén que difícilmente podría comprenderse si uno no se acercase con el escritor al acantilado de las circunstancias, los poemas nos llevan de la mano al final del día ("This morning will fade never to return") y de vuelta tras el ocaso ("Give in to the day / rise from where you lay (...) and just for a passing breath / you can forgo another death”); dando y recibiendo; marcando límites y sobrepasándolos, como un solitario en busca que se sabe completo consigo mismo y que, como las estaciones, muere a diario para volver a la vida.
Absolutamente recomendable.
Optimistic Melancholy —A Collection of Poetic Defiance's, by G. Edward Smith
(Independent) 2019
31 pages.
Genre: Poetry
Twenty-five short poems that, like sparks of light, jump unto us from the darkness and isolation, interpreting the positive struggle of that who, having been diagnosed with agoraphobia and bipolarity, choses to go ahead and accept the contradiction of his own existence. The animals of the forest lurk in each verse as a reflection of their counterparts in the mind ("These beasts within are here till the end")
G. Edward Smith projects and recreates his trip, always challenging ("You left me here to die / yet you forgot I knew your lie (...) This is now — you must go"), expanding from the abysses like the branches of a tree in perpetual growth ("I am without me / stretching branches / longing to see"), but without ever losing the awareness that each daylight walk will have its reverse, obeying the rhythmic breathing of its own being ("With a sleight of hand / this all begins / another lost day / too soon it ends").
Through creative introspection and an excellent poetic exercise of permanent swinging that could hardly be understood if one did not approach the cliff of the specific circumstances along with the writer, the poems take us by the hand right to the end of the day ("This morning will fade never to return") and back home after sunset ("Give in to the day / rise from where you lay (...) and just for a passing breath / you can forgo another death”); giving and receiving; setting limits and surpassing them, like a loner in search who already knows he is complete within himself and that, like the seasons, dies every day to return to life.
An absolute recommended read!
---------
Optimistic Melancholy —A Collection of Poetic Defiance's, por G. Edward Smith
(Independiente) 2019
31 páginas.
Género: Poesía
Veinticinco poemas cortos que, como chispazos de luz, saltan desde la oscuridad y el aislamiento, interpretando la lucha positiva de quien, habiendo sido diagnosticado con agorafobia y bipolaridad, decide seguir adelante y aceptar la contradicción de su existencia. Las bestias del bosque merodean en cada verso como reflejo de sus contrapartes en la mente (“These beasts within are here till the end")
G. Edward Smith se proyecta y recrea su viaje, siempre desafiante ("You left me here to die / yet you forgot I knew your lie (...) This is now—you must go"), expandiéndose desde los abismos como las ramas de un árbol en perpetuo crecimiento ("I am without me / stretching branches / longing to see"), pero sin perder jamás la conciencia de que cada caminata a la luz del día tendrá su revés, obedeciendo a la respiración rítmica de su propio ser ("With a sleight of hand / this all begins / another lost day / too soon it ends").
A través de la introspección creativa y en un excelente ejercicio poético de permanente vaivén que difícilmente podría comprenderse si uno no se acercase con el escritor al acantilado de las circunstancias, los poemas nos llevan de la mano al final del día ("This morning will fade never to return") y de vuelta tras el ocaso ("Give in to the day / rise from where you lay (...) and just for a passing breath / you can forgo another death”); dando y recibiendo; marcando límites y sobrepasándolos, como un solitario en busca que se sabe completo consigo mismo y que, como las estaciones, muere a diario para volver a la vida.
Absolutamente recomendable.
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February 26, 2020Inside the pages of Edward Smith’s Book, Optimistic Melancholy: A Collection Of Poetic Defiance’s, the author offers a realistic view of life from the lens of a person who has been suffering from depression. Coming in terms with the nature of life, the twenty- five short poems offer insight on personal struggles that many can relate to. Although the book highlights the manifestation of ongoing struggles in life, it also explores the process of going through said struggles, thus it doesn't reduce one to being a spectator of the whirling maze of life rather it paints one to be an active element in it.
March 19, 2020
Streaks of brilliance.
I am not really into poems that always rhyme (which is my personal opinion and no critic toward the author). Despite this, some of his poems struck me to the heart with their incredibly brilliant lines and beautiful language. Whether you like rhymes or not I would recommend this book. It is sure to make you feel emotions with a stunning edge.
I am not really into poems that always rhyme (which is my personal opinion and no critic toward the author). Despite this, some of his poems struck me to the heart with their incredibly brilliant lines and beautiful language. Whether you like rhymes or not I would recommend this book. It is sure to make you feel emotions with a stunning edge.
November 15, 2019
Optimistic Melancholy paints a vivid picture of someone who is sad,but who pushes ahead.Someone who doesn't want to be boggled down by the many issues of life.Its a wonderful collection.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews