Hey Bert

by Roberto Pastore

Hey Bert is a clarion call to open our eyes a little bit wider, to find new way of looking at our own lives. Poems that speak intensely of the everyday, of nostalgia, friendship and love, the body, the sacred, all seen through Pastore’s unique, eccentric filter of spirit animals, pop-culture, dreams and astrology.

Evoking John Giorno, Anne Waldman, and Julia Heyward, Pastore’s work draws from performance art, confessional poetry, mantra, and folklore to create a voice both fiercely contemporary and somehow out of time.

Genres: Poetry

80 pages, Paperback

Published October 1, 2019

Reviews

[Sian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bert is my husband. His poems are great. Five stars obvs.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes!!! I loved this!! I chose it as a cheery distraction for an otherwise unbearable 5-hour roadtrip, and it completely saved the day. It's divided into 3 sections, and the last section (called "Heart") melted me into a puddle. I think my favorite poem in the collection is one about Christmas in the park. I'll definitely be revisiting that one for Christmas next month ❤️❤️❤️.

[Oliver Clarke · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought I didn’t like poetry and so I never read it. But I just read this and I liked it a hell of a lot, so maybe I like poetry after all. I’m completely unequipped to write intelligently about it though, so I’ll just say that this book made me both happy and sad.

[Pamela (Here to Read Books and Chew Gum) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet and empowering, Pastore's poetry opens the reader's eyes to the beauty of the world in a way not often realised in prose. His poetry is an experience, not just words on the page.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is, quite simply, amazing. There needs to be a 6-star rating option.

[Natalie (CuriousReader)]

An intimate collection exploring a sense of nostalgia and looking back into one's past, love and human connection, sense of purpose and belonging, the everyday and mundane- simultaneously the beauty of this very quiet serenity; Roberto Pastore uses a rhythmic sing-song structure almost akin to a heartbeat to ponder questions of time passing, bodily physicality, loss and distance, nearness and presence. Beautiful and filled with heart, these poems show a writer willing to hold you close and share something deeply felt and true.

One of my favourites: There is a world below

When you're clinging to the edge of the world
don't be afraid to fall,
there is a world below.

There is a world below, a living thing
where debris like us
can settle.

You have made no allegiances
to this false construction,
there are no buff lawmen patrolling
your inner jurisdiction.
It is a monolith you have been clinging to
that you knew was coming down,
let go,
there is a world below.

There are many graves you have already tended to,
their message sits
like a beard upon your heart.
Your stomach resembles a tangle of Christmas lights
that each year gets
harder to unravel.

There is a world below, a living thing
where you can brush the leaves
from out of the books you've been
nesting in.
Where you can reach into the TV screen
and pull out
another disillusioned hand,
same as yours.

Where you're clinging to the edge of the world
don't be afraid to fall
there is a world below.

[Tina Huntz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful collection. It’s like getting a warm hug and a cup of tea with your best friend, catching up in front of the fireplace, talking about little joys and past sorrows.

[Marisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read Roberto's poems and i have loved them so much that i am reading them again and again!
I like how he describes his experiences in a very deep but also very quirky way. I would also like the Dark Flow to get out of me so i can become visible.

[Bee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t really like poetry. And I think that is mostly because I don’t really understand it. The message goes over my head. But I love Bert’s poetry. I might not “get” some of it - or most of it - but there’s so many emotions that just jump out at you, it’s hard not to pay attention. There’s nostalgia and melancholy, but it’s hopeful and sometimes funny at the same time. And the way he writes, it’s almost like song lyrics.

So yeh, I don’t like poetry, but I love this!

[Lucy S · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favourite collections of poems, ever. He can vocalise feelings that are very familiar but feel like revelations because they've never been said quite like this. Often hits the nail on the head in a way which gives me goosebumps

It's about how to find ways to survive and belong in our world; a collection mostly about alienation which is ironically oh so comforting.

[Rhi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m not sure I understood all of the meaning, but I thoroughly enjoyed the book. I think if your like me and think poetry isn’t something you really get or enjoy then this is a really good book to start with. Many of the poems painted vivid pictures and conjured up different emotions. I think my favourites were in the final heart section as many of these spoke to me but I also enjoyed some of the first head selection. It’s inspired me to change my thinking from I don’t really get poetry to maybe I need to try some more.

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5*
Favorites:
Show Homes
You Get Used To It

[Rae]

Dewithon. Rhythmic and lyrical. Nostalgia.

A Next Time.
Just So You Know.
There Is A World Below.

“I wish you
deep sleep
clean air
good books.

Touching and being
touched.”