Scribbles of an Idle Mind

by Michael Benavidez (Introduction)

A set of thoughts set in the form of poems touching on anything from love and lust to death and sorrow. Meant to inspire and understand that life isn't just all bad nor is it all good.

25 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 13, 2014

About the author

Michael Benavidez is an independent author that is currently relishing in the horror community, although there are ideas bumping up in his noggin to explore other genres.
He is also currently a staff writer for the online horror magazine Morbidly Beautiful, writing a monthly column called You've Got Read on You, where he reviews some of the latest horror indie releases.
A child of the Rio Grande Valley, Texas he has also spent most of of his years maturing in middle of nowhere Minnesota. Back in the ass end of Texas, Michael has found a niche in writing from the heart horror, exploring such things as traumas and other things he has dealt with his whole life.
While a doofus on the surface, Michael hopes to help, encourage, and create conversations about these important topics.

Reviews

[Quentin Wallace · Rating 5 out of 5]

I give this one five stars based purely on the visceral emotion conveyed within.

This collection of poems was raw and bleeding, much like the author must have been inside after pulling this out of himself. I could almost feel the angst pouring out of every word, and it was very powerful stuff. I'm not a huge fan of poetry, but sometimes it seems to allow writers to get things out of their minds that they may not be able to convey with prose. This collection is a perfect example of that.

The subject matter runs the gamut, but the majority deals with experiences the author has had, will have, or dreams of having. This is important because it's the same experiences everyone has. A lot of it is just fear of the mundane. Worries we have about things that everybody goes through, and everybody worries about. As we get older we find out most of the angst we experience when we're younger is uncalled for. That's fine, though, because we find more things to agonize over.

I don't really have a favorite poem, nor did I see one as weakest. I think the author honestly poured his heart and soul into each poem, and even though the title says "scribbles" I think this collection is anything but.

In closing, I will once again say that my knowledge of poetry is limited. (I am a song writer, which is very similar, but we always have a wall of music to back us up and a voice to distract from the words. That's a safety net poets don't have.) Some of the more advanced poetry fans can probably find weaknesses in the poems that I as a novice could not. And that's fine, as not everything is for everyone. But in my humble opinion, if you like poetry that conveys true emotion, you should check this one out.

[Stuart Keane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I stumbled across this little gem quite by accident. After a hard days writing I saw this on Goodreads and I was in a reflective mood. At 25 pages, being 1am and all, I thought why not?

Now, a poet I'm not. A poetry expert, nope, not that either. However, I've experienced a range of emotions in my life, some good and some bad and reading through this book I felt some of them return. When words can do this to you, you know you're reading something unique.

The author covers a range of topics in these poems and as you read them, you can tell the author has poured his heart and soul into the words. In fact, when I finished the 25 pages I could've kept going. Alas I couldn't but I felt there was more to be had here. I hope a sequel materialises because I will purchase it.

The poems aren't for everybody and some messages can be misconstrued but if you give these poems a chance (even one or two an evening or something) there is a little in here for everyone. Like I said, I'm no poetry expert but these are worth catching.

Five stars for keeping me hooked. And for getting me interested in poetry again.

Great stuff!

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

So many emotions going on in this book of poems. All wonderfully written, all relatable. Fantastic job Michael :)

[Alissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't read much poetry although I would like to get into it more at some point. I enjoyed this collection of poetry though. There were some that made me think, some that were a little more simple but overall an interesting read. If I caught one right there was even a reference to the Scarlet Letter, that poem was A New Scarlet A.
One poem stood out to me in particular and I loved it;
A Broken Toy
"I knew a boy with a broken smile
He held no joy but kept on all the while
I knew a man with a broken heart
Who took all he could stand until he fell apart
I knew this man and I knew this boy
I was with them when this began, this broken toy"
That is just the first little bit but its a stroke of genius, one of the best poems I've read in a long time. Benavidez has had more than a few of those awesome bits and pieces of genius in both books I have read of his.
Even if you aren't much into poetry this is a worthwhile collection and there's a better than average chance you'll find a little something in it like what I found in the poem, A Broken Toy. Highly recommended and if you're wanting some poetry you can't do much better than Benavidez.

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

My knowledge of poetry is lacking and don't read much of it, but I enjoyed this collection of poems. Well done!
I also got a tiny view into Michael's mind. Interesting.... : )

[Clare Lune · Rating 4 out of 5]

These were pretty damn good. I was impressed by the writing style and Benavidez has a way of setting tense, dark stages with lots of mood. I can definitely see a unique voice emerging here.

I had some favorites, which were the darker poems, of course. I can't remember the titles, but I'll go back and find them and include them.

I was reluctant to take off a star for this because it's just a taste thing, but I'm not big on love poetry. I think this could have been just as strong of a collection without them, but I understand why they were included. Not that they weren't good, just not up my alley.

Still enjoyed and recommend, and I'm excited to read When Angels Fail: Tales of the Macabre.

[Steph · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a fellow creature of the night, I decided to read this in the wee hours of the early morning. Once I started on the first poem, I instantly fell in love. This collection of poems allowed me to get back to the dark recesses of my own mind, and I instantly embraced the feeling that I got from reading them. I definitely hope to read more of this caliber in the very near future. I love how the romantic is combined with the dark, which is something that I often emulate in my own work. I loved the word choices and how the poems tended to flow so seamlessly. A great read all around. However, please note that some of it may be a bit dark for some people, but there is definitely a select group of people who would truly enjoy them as much as I have.

[Jennifer McDonald · Rating 5 out of 5]

I know very little about poetry. So when it comes to reading it, I pretty much like anything that makes me feel something—anything that gets under my skin. Scribbles of an Idle Mind does exactly that. I found myself going back and rereading particular passages, wanting to recapture those emotions over and over. This is one of those books that inspire, and it will definitely be one that I’ll read more than once.

[Kerry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not usually a fan of poetry but I found myself eager to read each one. I have to say my favourite poem was 'Goddess'. Loved it.
Definitely going to go back and read them all again :)

[Gemma · Rating 1 out of 5]

Just as the title suggests. What ideas in here are not clumsy and lacking originality are potentially even harmful. The first poem especially comes across as borderline misogynistic.