What do you think?
That's Not Poetry #1
That's Not Poetry
Social media sensation J. Warren Welch brings his bold, unapologetic, and thought-provoking words to print. This compendium of rich, edgy, and profound poems reflects his eclectic blend of styles and influences. THAT'S NOT POETRY is sure to have something that speaks to everyone, whether viewed on social media or never before seen. Follow Welch on this journey through his mind, and your own.
- GenresPoetry
294 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2018
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
October 1, 2019
Jeff is raw, and smart, and funny, and sexy, and all the things I love in a poet wrapped up in one package! READ THIS BOOK, STAT!!!
March 21, 2019
Poetry at its finest
I've followed the author on Instagram from the beginning and have always been fascinated by his words. He loves and feels with such intensity. I knew I'd love this book so I saved it for awhile so I could look forward to it when I needed amazing words in My life. He did not disappoint.
I've followed the author on Instagram from the beginning and have always been fascinated by his words. He loves and feels with such intensity. I knew I'd love this book so I saved it for awhile so I could look forward to it when I needed amazing words in My life. He did not disappoint.
June 24, 2020
I read this book in paperback. This is a unsolicited review.
What I Loved:
I found Mr. Welch over on Instagram and immediately his work spoke to me. Upon realizing he had a book... two in fact, I ran over to Amazon and purchased this first one. At first, when I pulled it out of the box I was like, this is a big one! But even at nearly 300 pages, it still felt just right in length.
J. focuses on love, hatred, social media, religious hypocrisy, lust, and self-hatred coated in arrogance. I know a book is a sure-fire favorite when I pull out my pen and start writing in it. Furiously circling, underlining, and highlighting. I felt I had to restrain myself because I wanted to mark up nearly every page.
Speaking of pages... the publisher did an amazing job formatting the book. It's very pleasing to the eye, utilizing full-bleed background tints on some pages, such as all grey or straight black with white lettering. These 'little' touches helped the book stand out from the rest. The font was perfect for the content. And, being it was Amazon, who is known for poorer quality printing, the paper is thin and somewhat see-through, I was still pleasantly surprised Amazon managed to actually print a great quality book for once. It felt great in the hand.
What I Didn't:
There was nothing I didn't love about this collection. It currently sits on my shelf, read-through several times, my now-favorite book of poetry.
My Favorite Bits:
(Many of the pieces are unnamed so I will have to go by page number.)
The section names are so clever, especially once you start reading what's in there: We Can Be Monsters, Open Book, Atonement, All This Animated Worm Food, Somewhere Between, Undefeated.
Pg 14 - "it never feels freaky or filthy when we do all those wonderful things we do to each other It just feels like making love"
Pg 18 - "... I was never a man worth having until she gave me the freedom to be myself..."
Pg 172 - "the line between being honest and being an a**hole is a very fine line indeed You are just a f***ing a**hole Stop trying to pretend it is a virtue"
And the poem Undefeated on page 248 - damn, so good... ends with "you are undefeated not because you never lose but because every time you do you choose to become a better version of you"
My Overall Score:
5 stars - doesn't get any better than this, the formatting and editing is perfect, the cover is attractive and engaging, the length is just right, there are no slow spots or gratuitous sections, excellent flow.
My Final Thoughts:
This is exactly what I love about short, modern pieces. While I typically prefer longer poems, Mr. Welch is able to pack a punch with each deep thought he lays down. Thoughts that many of us identify with. He's got the perfect mixture of in-your-face rough (and unashamed) love, arrogant self-realization and introspection which remains honest (good, bad or ugly) and witty sarcasm.
Highly recommended to those who appreciate short modern poetry that is unafraid to pierce fragile reality. Contains plenty of cussing, but not without premise. Now I'm off to order his second book...
What I Loved:
I found Mr. Welch over on Instagram and immediately his work spoke to me. Upon realizing he had a book... two in fact, I ran over to Amazon and purchased this first one. At first, when I pulled it out of the box I was like, this is a big one! But even at nearly 300 pages, it still felt just right in length.
J. focuses on love, hatred, social media, religious hypocrisy, lust, and self-hatred coated in arrogance. I know a book is a sure-fire favorite when I pull out my pen and start writing in it. Furiously circling, underlining, and highlighting. I felt I had to restrain myself because I wanted to mark up nearly every page.
Speaking of pages... the publisher did an amazing job formatting the book. It's very pleasing to the eye, utilizing full-bleed background tints on some pages, such as all grey or straight black with white lettering. These 'little' touches helped the book stand out from the rest. The font was perfect for the content. And, being it was Amazon, who is known for poorer quality printing, the paper is thin and somewhat see-through, I was still pleasantly surprised Amazon managed to actually print a great quality book for once. It felt great in the hand.
What I Didn't:
There was nothing I didn't love about this collection. It currently sits on my shelf, read-through several times, my now-favorite book of poetry.
My Favorite Bits:
(Many of the pieces are unnamed so I will have to go by page number.)
The section names are so clever, especially once you start reading what's in there: We Can Be Monsters, Open Book, Atonement, All This Animated Worm Food, Somewhere Between, Undefeated.
Pg 14 - "it never feels freaky or filthy when we do all those wonderful things we do to each other It just feels like making love"
Pg 18 - "... I was never a man worth having until she gave me the freedom to be myself..."
Pg 172 - "the line between being honest and being an a**hole is a very fine line indeed You are just a f***ing a**hole Stop trying to pretend it is a virtue"
And the poem Undefeated on page 248 - damn, so good... ends with "you are undefeated not because you never lose but because every time you do you choose to become a better version of you"
My Overall Score:
5 stars - doesn't get any better than this, the formatting and editing is perfect, the cover is attractive and engaging, the length is just right, there are no slow spots or gratuitous sections, excellent flow.
My Final Thoughts:
This is exactly what I love about short, modern pieces. While I typically prefer longer poems, Mr. Welch is able to pack a punch with each deep thought he lays down. Thoughts that many of us identify with. He's got the perfect mixture of in-your-face rough (and unashamed) love, arrogant self-realization and introspection which remains honest (good, bad or ugly) and witty sarcasm.
Highly recommended to those who appreciate short modern poetry that is unafraid to pierce fragile reality. Contains plenty of cussing, but not without premise. Now I'm off to order his second book...
October 3, 2020
I had been seeing his work pop up on my Facebook here and there and I loved every one of his poems because I felt they were so relatable, and they were speaking to me on a deeper level. I was really excited to get his book. The poetry in "Thats Not Poetry" feels honest and raw, it makes me question the way im seeing the world these days. Some of them made me laugh and some of them made me cry but I enjoyed them all. Can't wait for "Your Mom Thinks It's Poetry".
October 28, 2020
This guy. This book. Love it all. "That's Not Poetry" is a full volume of not-so-polite poetry which is incredible. Welch manages to embody every human emotion with an air of jadedness we all feel sometimes (or for some of us, most of the time). He pairs vulnerability with bad-assery. He puts empathy behind sparkling curse words. He is very raw, and very real. He's dirty and snarky and it's the best thing ever. He gets the last word. His poetry is the type of poetry we all need more of.
January 25, 2018
I adore this book as much as the man who wrote it. I’ve known Jeff since before he started out on this adventure, and his writing has made him endearing, edgy, funny, but most importantly, it’s an extension of who he is as a person. Every word is steeped with pure Jeff...and to me, that’s truly what poetry is all about.
March 24, 2018
Brilliant
Edgy, disturbing, powerful. Erotic at times. Thought-provoking. Relateable. If you're hung up on the word fuck, just move along, you wouldn't get it anyway. The rest of you fuckers, this book of not poems is for you. Brutally honest. Inspirational. Go ahead and step outside your comfort zone and give this a read.
Edgy, disturbing, powerful. Erotic at times. Thought-provoking. Relateable. If you're hung up on the word fuck, just move along, you wouldn't get it anyway. The rest of you fuckers, this book of not poems is for you. Brutally honest. Inspirational. Go ahead and step outside your comfort zone and give this a read.
June 6, 2018
Maybe some of it isn't "poetry" (but his "traditional poetry" is that of lyrical wittiness) but it is flipping ENTERTAINING, with honest & endearing insight into what, I believe, much of which come from complicated life lessons. I have read and re-read multiple times, and look forward to more from him in the future.
October 1, 2018
Jeff... He is the Jeffiest Jeff I know. We all love him for being absolutely who he is at any given moment. That's Not Poetry is brilliant. There is light, darkness, humor, provocation. It is compelling, and easily the best book I have read in quite some time. This book needs to be in all hands. Thank you Jeff, for baring your soul to the world. You are beautiful. 200% a fan of your work.
March 15, 2019
Amazing
Stumbled upon this man's work several years ago. He speaks truth. Most poets are dreamy and tell all the words you want to hear. False hopes and fantasies. He tells it how it is and it resonates to the core for those of us that can relate. Don't stop writing. Ever.
Stumbled upon this man's work several years ago. He speaks truth. Most poets are dreamy and tell all the words you want to hear. False hopes and fantasies. He tells it how it is and it resonates to the core for those of us that can relate. Don't stop writing. Ever.
March 6, 2019
Gorgeous prose, excellently executed, highly reccomended
August 22, 2020
Modern, heart-wrenching, honest and raw. Relatable on a spiritual level-both figuratively and literally.
March 5, 2022
Would prefer to rate 3.5 - certain parts at 4.5, certain 2.5-3.
January 24, 2024
My co worker gave me this book and told me to give it a read and i did out of respect for her. I don't think I would've read it had it not been lent to me. Not my cup of tea.
May 22, 2022
Authentic, direct, and a joy to read. This book is set out well, and throughout, J. Warren Welch pours his heart out onto paper with an honesty that is truly refreshing.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews