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Itch: Poems and Prose
"If you've ever been in love with longing, this is a must read." — Michaela Angemeer, author of you'll come back to yourself and when he leaves you
In his third poetry collection, Itch, Zane Frederick scratches memory. He pokes the bear of his past. Ventures further out into its woods to see what still lurks and what needs to be settled. Itch captures the complexity of revisiting memory and the whirlwind of emotions that emerge from loose ends that have yet to be tied up. He shouts into the void and calls out the skeletons in his closet. He lets anger out like a beast locked away. He is stuck in a limbo between holding on and letting go, finding his way out of the forest that held his most rotted roots.
Itch is about forgiving but never forgetting. It’s about taking the armor off and going home. It challenges the notion that our scars won’t always sting, but embraces the sting as a reminder of what we’ve healed from.
In his third poetry collection, Itch, Zane Frederick scratches memory. He pokes the bear of his past. Ventures further out into its woods to see what still lurks and what needs to be settled. Itch captures the complexity of revisiting memory and the whirlwind of emotions that emerge from loose ends that have yet to be tied up. He shouts into the void and calls out the skeletons in his closet. He lets anger out like a beast locked away. He is stuck in a limbo between holding on and letting go, finding his way out of the forest that held his most rotted roots.
Itch is about forgiving but never forgetting. It’s about taking the armor off and going home. It challenges the notion that our scars won’t always sting, but embraces the sting as a reminder of what we’ve healed from.
- GenresPoetry
144 pages, Paperback
Published March 7, 2023
2 people are currently reading
48 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
March 27, 2023
Delightful with a side of sweetness.
Some more enjoyable to me than others book the style and context kept me turning the page to see what was in store next.
Would certainly pick this author up again
Some more enjoyable to me than others book the style and context kept me turning the page to see what was in store next.
Would certainly pick this author up again
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February 25, 2023The rhythmic melody of Itch will linger in your head long after you've closed its pages. Zane Frederick's writing is silvery-toned and full of yearning, like a dream you can't help but lose yourself inside of. These poems scratch at memory and the ghosts that live inside of them, rubbing their metaphors raw until all that's left to do is forgive, heal, and forget. In his most mature collection yet, Zane Frederick has written a book that is both mirror and window. Both drifting in the past and dancing in the future. You don't want to miss it.
February 28, 2023
Ah, I am so thankful to NetGalley, Zane Frederick, and Central Avenue Publishing for granting advanced access to this beautiful collection of poems titled Itch. This collection of prose and proems details the everyday mending process of learning to live and keep breathing without that one person. Frederick projects themes of manipulation and toxicity that accompany being gaslit by the one you love. I felt enamored by the prose in this book, for with every turning page, I felt as though I was growing and evolving along with our narrator. Itch is set to hit shelves on March 7, 2023!
March 2, 2023
Some of my favourite poems in this collection:
- When My Employer Asks What My Weaknesses Are
- Lonely Twenties
- Overtime
- A24 Reject
- Use Me
- Maladaptive Daydreaming
- Warning
- Past Due
- Cable Knit
- "Forgiveness" by Paramore Plays
- Heal in Hell
- Worthy
* Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
- When My Employer Asks What My Weaknesses Are
- Lonely Twenties
- Overtime
- A24 Reject
- Use Me
- Maladaptive Daydreaming
- Warning
- Past Due
- Cable Knit
- "Forgiveness" by Paramore Plays
- Heal in Hell
- Worthy
* Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
April 4, 2023
I will read Zane’s poems forever! This is the perfect collection to read in your twenties. It made me feel seen and optimistic about the growth that is still coming. 💛
March 8, 2023
ARC given by NetGalley for Honest Review
A very lovely and honest collection of poems about grief. Grief comes in many forms and this touched a lot on romance and relationships. The poetry consists of mostly short poems with a small helping of prose scattered about. There were plenty of wonderful poems that stood out to me and even had me feeling gut punched with emotion but they were overshadowed by other poems that could have used more refinement or editing. I would not say they were bad in any way though; Frederick puts his longing and soul into this collection and it shows. I think the imagery that he tried to correlate to feeling could have been improved on in many poems.
My favorite poems are: "Sounding Out", "Dreaming Tree Cabernet", and "Draft of Unfinishings."
A very lovely and honest collection of poems about grief. Grief comes in many forms and this touched a lot on romance and relationships. The poetry consists of mostly short poems with a small helping of prose scattered about. There were plenty of wonderful poems that stood out to me and even had me feeling gut punched with emotion but they were overshadowed by other poems that could have used more refinement or editing. I would not say they were bad in any way though; Frederick puts his longing and soul into this collection and it shows. I think the imagery that he tried to correlate to feeling could have been improved on in many poems.
My favorite poems are: "Sounding Out", "Dreaming Tree Cabernet", and "Draft of Unfinishings."
March 29, 2023
This is an honest review of the NetGalley eARC. Thank you to the publisher for providing this copy.
Every poem left me wanting a little bit more. Most of them were love/loss poems addressed to “you,” but after reading the whole book I don’t feel like I got to know that person at all or even how the poet truly felt about them; everything was trapped in figurative language and metaphor.
Often a poem would have one idea like “describe the end of our relationship as a car crash” and then do exactly that without breaking the simple bounds of the metaphor. Many of the poems were very short “instagram” style poetry, where it was more of a shower thought than a poem. I liked the ones that were presented as stylized text images though, as that felt like purposeful use of the short medium. There was never really concrete physical description of a person or place that made me feel like I was somewhere, just connections drawn between ideas inside and outside the poet’s head. It was a bit like floating in a blank void.
That said, I didn’t dislike this collection. It gets a bit repetitive and there were moments where I felt like we were about to get something and didn’t make it, but I also think that there is potential. Often a line wouldn’t be transformative, but I could imagine it being so if it was sung with a lot of feeling in a pop song, and I love pop songs. I wonder if some parts were meant to be lyrics, as there were often pretty rigid rhyme structures. I didn’t mind these either, as they often contributed a good sense of rhythm to a poem. It was just a bit jarring when the rhythm suddenly broke with a line that was longer and not in tune with the rhythm.
I think this collection will appeal to new and young adults who came of age during the pandemic and dealt with a lot of mental turmoil and change during that time. It is definitely a step up from much more successful contemporaries.
Every poem left me wanting a little bit more. Most of them were love/loss poems addressed to “you,” but after reading the whole book I don’t feel like I got to know that person at all or even how the poet truly felt about them; everything was trapped in figurative language and metaphor.
Often a poem would have one idea like “describe the end of our relationship as a car crash” and then do exactly that without breaking the simple bounds of the metaphor. Many of the poems were very short “instagram” style poetry, where it was more of a shower thought than a poem. I liked the ones that were presented as stylized text images though, as that felt like purposeful use of the short medium. There was never really concrete physical description of a person or place that made me feel like I was somewhere, just connections drawn between ideas inside and outside the poet’s head. It was a bit like floating in a blank void.
That said, I didn’t dislike this collection. It gets a bit repetitive and there were moments where I felt like we were about to get something and didn’t make it, but I also think that there is potential. Often a line wouldn’t be transformative, but I could imagine it being so if it was sung with a lot of feeling in a pop song, and I love pop songs. I wonder if some parts were meant to be lyrics, as there were often pretty rigid rhyme structures. I didn’t mind these either, as they often contributed a good sense of rhythm to a poem. It was just a bit jarring when the rhythm suddenly broke with a line that was longer and not in tune with the rhythm.
I think this collection will appeal to new and young adults who came of age during the pandemic and dealt with a lot of mental turmoil and change during that time. It is definitely a step up from much more successful contemporaries.
April 16, 2024
3.5/5 stars. Firstly, I'd like to thank Netgalley and Central Avenue Publishing for the eARC for and honest review.
'I miss the you I've been missing out on.'
This is my first book by Zane Fredrick and I thought it was a solid poetry collection. I enjoyed that all the poetry had titles and were formatted well. The only problem I found was that each line had a capital letter even when it wasn't the beginning of a new sentence/line. This made the poetry jarring and caused issues with flow while reading.
'Tell me if peace ever comes after a treaty of trying.'
Almost all the poetry focuses on some sort of unrequited love - we get a huge insight into the feelings and emotions of this relationship but we don't really get anything concrete to help us understand who this person is or what happened between them. This pushes the reader out when really a reader needs to be pulled in. There are a few references to stalking which felt wrong. My favourite pieces were 'Louise's Knees' and 'Acres'. The last 20% of the book was focused on moving forwards, healing and growth which was a nice change from the rest of the poetry.
This was an easy read and I'd probably read more from this author in the future if the opportunity arises.
Amy x
'I miss the you I've been missing out on.'
This is my first book by Zane Fredrick and I thought it was a solid poetry collection. I enjoyed that all the poetry had titles and were formatted well. The only problem I found was that each line had a capital letter even when it wasn't the beginning of a new sentence/line. This made the poetry jarring and caused issues with flow while reading.
'Tell me if peace ever comes after a treaty of trying.'
Almost all the poetry focuses on some sort of unrequited love - we get a huge insight into the feelings and emotions of this relationship but we don't really get anything concrete to help us understand who this person is or what happened between them. This pushes the reader out when really a reader needs to be pulled in. There are a few references to stalking which felt wrong. My favourite pieces were 'Louise's Knees' and 'Acres'. The last 20% of the book was focused on moving forwards, healing and growth which was a nice change from the rest of the poetry.
This was an easy read and I'd probably read more from this author in the future if the opportunity arises.
Amy x
March 8, 2024
Zane Frederick’s "Itch," is a mosaic of memories woven from admiration, tender moments, and the lingering ache of fractured love and grief. This collection acts as a resonating echo for those intimately familiar with the rollercoaster of love, carrying regrets like treasured burdens and unable to shake the Polaroids of faces we wish to forget.
Frederick’s verses navigate the complex corridors of introspection and unfiltered truth, employing poetry as a conduit to articulate emotions that often defy expression. While some themes traverse familiar territory, occasionally leaning on simplistic metaphors, within this compilation lie many standout gems like "Dreaming Tree Cabernet" and "Great White Thing," shimmering with their emotional depth and vivid storytelling.
To read this collection of poetry, I would recommend snuggling up with a cocoa-filled mug and a cozy blanket as Frederick's verses transport you. Keep a box of Kleenex nearby, too!
Frederick’s verses navigate the complex corridors of introspection and unfiltered truth, employing poetry as a conduit to articulate emotions that often defy expression. While some themes traverse familiar territory, occasionally leaning on simplistic metaphors, within this compilation lie many standout gems like "Dreaming Tree Cabernet" and "Great White Thing," shimmering with their emotional depth and vivid storytelling.
To read this collection of poetry, I would recommend snuggling up with a cocoa-filled mug and a cozy blanket as Frederick's verses transport you. Keep a box of Kleenex nearby, too!
April 17, 2023
This collection in 3 words: Raw. Aware. Relatable.
This is the first book I've read by Zane Frederick and I was hooked. I loved the meter and structure of the entire collection. There are poems which I read once, paused, and immediately read aloud. Love when a piece of poetry pulls you to read it aloud.
It felt like itch was about reflecting on past (and lingering) hurt, healing, and the relationships we foster. Many of the poems were relatable and found a way to fit into my own experiences. Once I finished, there were a few I bookmarked, went back and re-read, and thought about what it meant to me.
All together, a wonderfully honest and real collection. Can't wait to see what people think of this one.
"I have written prologues in your honor, But stories like ours aren't meant to."
This is the first book I've read by Zane Frederick and I was hooked. I loved the meter and structure of the entire collection. There are poems which I read once, paused, and immediately read aloud. Love when a piece of poetry pulls you to read it aloud.
It felt like itch was about reflecting on past (and lingering) hurt, healing, and the relationships we foster. Many of the poems were relatable and found a way to fit into my own experiences. Once I finished, there were a few I bookmarked, went back and re-read, and thought about what it meant to me.
All together, a wonderfully honest and real collection. Can't wait to see what people think of this one.
"I have written prologues in your honor, But stories like ours aren't meant to."
January 27, 2024
His poetry hits home. I’m happy i stumbled upon this author, gonna keep reading more of his poetry.
I loved it, especially the
The lonely twenties are roaring.
I flee from my busy reality,
Having the time of my lifeInside a fantasy.
I don't have it in me to love,
Because you know I'm a sucker for ruining things.
You tell me to come to the table,
But what would I bring?
I hate that I house everyone else's emotions
When I barely make enough space for my own.
I've turned selfish with my solitudeAnd retire as the super they've known.
That doesn't mean I won't invite empathy
For tea when friends vent to me.
Though I've learned to set limits and boundaries.
Removed walls to feel more deeply.
I loved it, especially the
The lonely twenties are roaring.
I flee from my busy reality,
Having the time of my lifeInside a fantasy.
I don't have it in me to love,
Because you know I'm a sucker for ruining things.
You tell me to come to the table,
But what would I bring?
I hate that I house everyone else's emotions
When I barely make enough space for my own.
I've turned selfish with my solitudeAnd retire as the super they've known.
That doesn't mean I won't invite empathy
For tea when friends vent to me.
Though I've learned to set limits and boundaries.
Removed walls to feel more deeply.
December 27, 2022
Itch was a so-so read for me. I loved some poems, wasn’t a fan of others. I have read nothing by the author before, so I headed into the book with no expectations. ‘Past due’ was one of my favourites. I’m not sure this collection will stick in my memory. However, poetry is very subjective and I’m sure there will be plenty of people who will enjoy this more than I did. Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publisher, for a chance to read and review this book.
April 20, 2023
This book moved me so much, I love Zane's writing and it was such a pleasure to see it evolve from 'I Am Tired of Being a Dandelion' to 'Itch'. This collection has everything you want in a poetry book, beautiful imagery, poems that are so smooth they could be songs, and a whole lot of longing. Would 100% recommend to any poetry fan.
April 20, 2023
This is the third book I’ve read of Zane’s work and every one just keeps getting better. This coming of age poetry book unlocked a lot of my own feelings I’ve been suppressing or working through - all the longing and fear that comes with love in your twenties. This collection is very cohesive and has the sort of rhythm i dream of writing some day. Adored it and will be rereading again and again.
August 1, 2024
some of these were great, just not really my style! really shows how a situationship can fuck you up tho!! praying 4 you king 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
August 19, 2023
I saved so many beautiful quotes from this book. Frederick discusses so many aspects of how difficult it can be to lose love but all of the hope there is in recovering from heartbreak. This is a book I will happily buy for and send to any of my friends going through a breakup or a tough time related to anything life throws at them. I can't wait to check out what else Zen Frederick writes!
March 12, 2023
3.5/5
This is the first Zane Frederick poetry I’ve read, and it was great! Loved the writing style, structure, and capitalization! Some of these poems will stick in your head and you’ll go back to reread them several times.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher!
This is the first Zane Frederick poetry I’ve read, and it was great! Loved the writing style, structure, and capitalization! Some of these poems will stick in your head and you’ll go back to reread them several times.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher!
March 26, 2023
I absolutely loved ‘I am tired of being a dandelion’, so couldn’t wait to get my hands on a copy of `Itch’, Zane Frederick’s new collection of poetry and prose.
Itch deals with loss, grief and painful memories, developing into forgiveness, growth and healing as the collection progresses.
He has such a beautiful style of writing that you find yourself returning to certain poems again and again - they’re relatively short but really get in your head, making you relive and reflect on your own wounds and healing process.
“Stories like ours weren’t meant to have sequels”
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Itch deals with loss, grief and painful memories, developing into forgiveness, growth and healing as the collection progresses.
He has such a beautiful style of writing that you find yourself returning to certain poems again and again - they’re relatively short but really get in your head, making you relive and reflect on your own wounds and healing process.
“Stories like ours weren’t meant to have sequels”
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
July 2, 2023
Zane continues to awe and inspire in this newest release, leaving the reader gasping for every breath.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews