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Pocket Lint
"Pocket Lint" is Arik Bjorn's first book of verse.
From the author's introduction:
"Language is my love. What if I weaved words through an abstract loom, and the aesthetic result resembled Babar hanging from a bent steel crane? That is the risk of poetry--of sin.
"I have no idea whether my poetry is good or bad, whether it’s worth the while of any reader. I know accomplished poets, yet I would never burden any of them with an invitation to write an introduction for this work. My verse deserves no vicar.
"As to title, why 'Pocket Lint' instead of, say, 'Slaying Pachyderms'? If I’m being honest with myself (what other approach to poetry is there?), what are harrying mammoths to me are perhaps just tucked-away dust bunnies to you. Language has survived many onslaughts, many sieges. Mine won’t be the last.
"Maybe I shouldn’t be so hard on myself. I didn’t ask for these phantoms that only exit my head by way of nocturnal keyboard stabs. Poetry is also self-defense. Sometimes one sins to save oneself."
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Arik Bjorn has published ten books. His most recent title, THIS IS NOT A SELF-HELP BOOK: AND YOU CAN TOO!, is a "Jesus take the wheel (of cheese!)" health recovery journey memoir.
Bjorn also recently published, UBER NIGHTS, about his late-night rideshare adventures in the Deep South. Bjorn has also published a novel, THE PRODIGAL, as well as several essay collections, plus a volume of short stories and poetry.
From the author's introduction:
"Language is my love. What if I weaved words through an abstract loom, and the aesthetic result resembled Babar hanging from a bent steel crane? That is the risk of poetry--of sin.
"I have no idea whether my poetry is good or bad, whether it’s worth the while of any reader. I know accomplished poets, yet I would never burden any of them with an invitation to write an introduction for this work. My verse deserves no vicar.
"As to title, why 'Pocket Lint' instead of, say, 'Slaying Pachyderms'? If I’m being honest with myself (what other approach to poetry is there?), what are harrying mammoths to me are perhaps just tucked-away dust bunnies to you. Language has survived many onslaughts, many sieges. Mine won’t be the last.
"Maybe I shouldn’t be so hard on myself. I didn’t ask for these phantoms that only exit my head by way of nocturnal keyboard stabs. Poetry is also self-defense. Sometimes one sins to save oneself."
////
Arik Bjorn has published ten books. His most recent title, THIS IS NOT A SELF-HELP BOOK: AND YOU CAN TOO!, is a "Jesus take the wheel (of cheese!)" health recovery journey memoir.
Bjorn also recently published, UBER NIGHTS, about his late-night rideshare adventures in the Deep South. Bjorn has also published a novel, THE PRODIGAL, as well as several essay collections, plus a volume of short stories and poetry.
90 pages, Paperback
Published February 23, 2018
About the author
Arik Bjorn
11 books19 followersARIK BJORN is a novelist and essayist, but most importantly, a dad. He enjoys French silk pie as well as a quality shot of bourbon. His writing explores such themes as the Problem of Pain and building Civilization (or at least humanity's efforts to-date). He also likes to honk at slowpokes.
Bjorn has published ten books. His most recent title, THIS IS NOT A SELF-HELP BOOK: AND YOU CAN TOO!, is a "Jesus take the wheel (of cheese!)" health recovery journey memoir. (If you're going to lose 85 pounds, might as well write about it.)
He also recently published, UBER NIGHTS, about his late-night rideshare adventures in the Deep South. In South Carolina, you never know if your next passenger will be a naked lady with a toothbrush, a banana spider, or a punch-drunk redneck.
Bjorn has also published a novel, THE PRODIGAL, as well as three essay collections: WAITING FOR CIVILIZATION, THE R-RATED THEOLOGIAN, and WHY BAD THINGS HAPPEN TO GOOD PARROTS. He has one short story collection, BIRDS OF A FEATHER, as well as a book of verse, POCKET LINT.
SO I RAN FOR CONGRESS chronicles his experience running for U.S. Congress. SHOW & TELL AT WORLD'S END is a social media diary about life in South Carolina during the COVID-19 pandemic.
He holds degrees in archaeology, ancient languages, and library science. He loves snow and hippos and enjoys retelling the story of how he was once shat upon by pigeons during Mass in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and thereafter fled down the Via Dolorosa in search of a towel.
To read more of Arik Bjorn's writings, visit his website, VIKINGWORD.COM -- he is also active on social media.
Bjorn has published ten books. His most recent title, THIS IS NOT A SELF-HELP BOOK: AND YOU CAN TOO!, is a "Jesus take the wheel (of cheese!)" health recovery journey memoir. (If you're going to lose 85 pounds, might as well write about it.)
He also recently published, UBER NIGHTS, about his late-night rideshare adventures in the Deep South. In South Carolina, you never know if your next passenger will be a naked lady with a toothbrush, a banana spider, or a punch-drunk redneck.
Bjorn has also published a novel, THE PRODIGAL, as well as three essay collections: WAITING FOR CIVILIZATION, THE R-RATED THEOLOGIAN, and WHY BAD THINGS HAPPEN TO GOOD PARROTS. He has one short story collection, BIRDS OF A FEATHER, as well as a book of verse, POCKET LINT.
SO I RAN FOR CONGRESS chronicles his experience running for U.S. Congress. SHOW & TELL AT WORLD'S END is a social media diary about life in South Carolina during the COVID-19 pandemic.
He holds degrees in archaeology, ancient languages, and library science. He loves snow and hippos and enjoys retelling the story of how he was once shat upon by pigeons during Mass in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and thereafter fled down the Via Dolorosa in search of a towel.
To read more of Arik Bjorn's writings, visit his website, VIKINGWORD.COM -- he is also active on social media.
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
March 12, 2018
Poetry that seems autobiographical and first person your own experience, although I don't believe I was ever tempted to drop a book of philosophy in a roach while sitting on the can.
I can attest....no elephants were harmed in the writing of this book of verse.
I can attest....no elephants were harmed in the writing of this book of verse.
Displaying 1 of 1 review