Self-Portrait: 100 Poems from the Pandemic and the Life Lived Anyway

by Garrett Lemons

"These are really good. And that's not just my best friend encouragement. They're really, really good." - My Best Friend

Written between December 26, 2019 and December 21, 2021, this collection of poems tackles life in a pandemic in all its confusion, sadness, hope, and more. It's intensely personal and hopefully universal. I don't have any designs that this will be something major, but I do hope that anyone who reads it no longer feels alone.

"I love your poems!" - Mom

"As you know, I am not a poetry kind of guy - but I am now." - Dad

Genres: Poetry

127 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 24, 2022

Reviews

[Graham | The Wulvers Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Self-Portrait: 100 Poems from the Pandemic and the Life Lived Anyway, author Garrett Lemons recites the poems of the pandemic and states “I hope that if you read it, you didn't feel alone” and that’s exactly right.

I’ve known Garrett briefly through online forums and jumped when he mentioned he had released these poems. It’s a brave choice to put personal failings and growths into the world but Garrett has given us a collection of cliches that hit just right. Each intriguing poem of advocacy attempts to give a voice to those who do not have a chance to speak and who are alone in the world. The messages behind each of these are not only of sadness, fear and isolation but uplifting joy and hope that is recognised in a world that is failing.

A few personal stand outs are “Why Can’t I?”, “2:13am”, “Family Planning” and “Hope for Tomorrow” that take us on one journey to the next through Garrett’s accelerated deflections and morose thoughts but instead of conflicting a sense of gloom and sullen thoughts, Garrett builds up to the epic recital of “Run The Race: A Marathon Sequence” which showcased his skill of luring us in with pace and ease to a dramatic crescendo of rollercoaster emotions.

Garrett has written creative and lyrical meaning, building components that make the machinery that is a dramatic cog in the downfall of the world and I devoured these poems.

[Erin Shirely · Rating 5 out of 5]

So we all really out here living the same life, huh?

[Daniela · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read it all in one sitting! These poems took me on a vivid journey where I laughed and cried over and over.

[Tim · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I saw that Garrett Lemons was releasing a book of poetry, I knew I had to read it. Lemons has for a long time been one of my favourite music writers and I have always respected his insights and opinions on a variety of topics. This is a collection of poems he began to secretly write after turning 30.

I was intrigued to discover the treasure that Lemons offers through his words. Like me, Lemons has wanted to write books and has been surprised that it is poetry that is the first published offering. I could relate to the ups and downs he portrays on these pages.

This is an honest book. I have laughed with Lemons about his chickens. I have wanted to cry as he shares deepest secrets about his disappointments, fears and unrealised hopes. I have journeyed through his reflections of the pandemic and felt his strides against the ground as he completes his marathon. I have listened carefully to his thoughts on Black Lives Matter and body image. This is a thoughtful, emotional and spiritual 127 pages where Lemons humble, humorous and ultimately hopeful personality shines through.

A worthwhile read.

[Garrett Lemons · Rating 5 out of 5]

I hope that if you read it, you didn't feel alone.