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Illumination: Poetry to Light Up the Darkness
An inspiring and beautiful collection of poems to give you strength, arm you for hardship, and remind you that you're always growing, from the bestselling author of Chasers of the Light .
Tyler Knott Gregson is the original InstaPoet. With loyal fans across the country and all over the Internet, he breathes new life into this ancient medium and delights fans with his openness and honesty alongside his beautiful photography.
This new book will be his first poetry collection in four years, and he returns now with a message of hope. In his elegant and simple style, Gregson will lift your spirits, keep you going when times get tough, and remind you of the inherent inner strength you already have within you.
Tyler Knott Gregson is the original InstaPoet. With loyal fans across the country and all over the Internet, he breathes new life into this ancient medium and delights fans with his openness and honesty alongside his beautiful photography.
This new book will be his first poetry collection in four years, and he returns now with a message of hope. In his elegant and simple style, Gregson will lift your spirits, keep you going when times get tough, and remind you of the inherent inner strength you already have within you.
- GenresPoetry
160 pages, Hardcover
Published March 30, 2021
14 people are currently reading
328 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
July 28, 2021
I haven't read such talentless, uninspired poetry since high school. This book was offensive to the senses, an absolute waste of the paper it was printed on. Where do I even begin?
Even if you flipped through and didn't read a word, the style choices of this piece are laughable. There are no page numbers. The poems have no titles. Rather than being black type on a white page, the poems are (or photoshopped to look as though) they are typewritten on "found" scraps of ragged paper and then photographed and collected. Just the absolute pinnacle of hipster bullshit, it boggles the mind that this was published in the year 2021.
The poetry itself is drivel. Completely bland and basic in its construction, the line breaks meaningless and the diction confused, it offers nothing of artistic value. Each poem is painfully literal, the subject and the thoughts the author wishes to communicate immediately obvious and without nuance. And those subjects are themselves unworthy of public distribution.
Gregson clearly believes himself to be inspired and inspiring, but I personally found his middle class ennui repellant. The examples that most left me cringing were those about travel. He has nothing original to say on the subject, and I found his praise of "adventure" and "exploration" frankly tragic and pathetic. The desire to lose himself in experiences and his disappointment with his life's more mundane day-to-day seemed like something to share with a therapist as a barrier to a happy life. It reminded me of Alain de Botton's The Art of Travel but without any self-awareness.
Maybe this review seems too harsh. Allow me to share a couple of examples to illustrate my criticisms (which took me quite a while to find again, due to this book having no page numbers).
I need not book
nor cathedral grand,
I need no psalm
or knees that kneel.
Keep your robes,
your staff and grail,
I need not the organ
or glass stained with story.
Give me mountain,
give me sea,
give me starlight,
give me tree.
One hundred steps
into some far off
wild,
and I know all I need
of god.
There is no subtext to this poem. The sentence structure is chaotic, pointlessly in my opinion, and the imagery is flat. He doesn't need "knees that kneel" to worship? Really? Unimaginative and meritless poem.
Lumpy bed slanted left, rolling me
toward the window, jammed shut over
a radiator that won't shut off.
Tiny television with four channels,
three blurry, one always the news.
Twelve dozen stairs that creak,
long hallways that undulate
like waves, two thousand faces
my eyes have never seen.
Conversation that emerges
from nothing, and grows like
it was watered, realization that
things are shared, despite the sea
that splits us. Sunrise over
a landscape brand new after rising
in the middle of the darkness
forgetful of where you are, trying to
map the room to remind yourself,
sunset over cobblestones and
corner cafes.
This is why we go, travel
is the reminder that we know
so little, but are willing to learn
so much.
This is why we go.
Ah yes, we go so that we can learn about the exotic lifestyles of the global poor. This is just the Eat, Pray, Love travel blog of a man who seems to think about himself a great deal but somehow still comes off as unreflective and thoughtless. What is actually to be gleaned from a poem like this? It says its message outright and so requires no contemplation on the part of the reader. Its imagery is sparse and unfocused, creating a sense of neither place nor emotion. Conversation "grows like it was watered" but about what? Watered with what? Grows like what kind of plant? A lazy simile. And "things are shared, despite the sea that splits us" but what things are shared? And the sea here (likely literal) creates physical distance, but what does that matter in the age of internet, television, and all the other modes of cultural imperialism that are clearly recognizable any time you travel? These poems depict travel as a poignantly unexamined experience, fully internal to the traveler, purely an escape from the averageness of daily life. What has Gregson learned on his travels?
I think it is good to write. I think writing poetry about your feelings and experiences is good and healthy and wholesome. I think creative outlets are vital for people to process deeply what has happened to them in their lives. However, many more people believe their art to be worthy of public consumption than the market and simple reality can bear. This is a prime example of someone whose work should have remained personal and unpublished.
And there are so many people in the reviews of this book praising it for being "beautiful" and "inspirational" and it breaks my heart. Have they ever read any other poetry? Has Gregson even read any poetry? Reading the enthusiastic commentary of other readers, I mourned for our culture. Our lack of imagination, our commercial taste in messaging and meaning, our post-literate bankruptcy of fine language. I hope that if you picked up this book it left you hungry for more poetry. And I hope you search for and find some real poetry. There is a lot of good work out there.
Even if you flipped through and didn't read a word, the style choices of this piece are laughable. There are no page numbers. The poems have no titles. Rather than being black type on a white page, the poems are (or photoshopped to look as though) they are typewritten on "found" scraps of ragged paper and then photographed and collected. Just the absolute pinnacle of hipster bullshit, it boggles the mind that this was published in the year 2021.
The poetry itself is drivel. Completely bland and basic in its construction, the line breaks meaningless and the diction confused, it offers nothing of artistic value. Each poem is painfully literal, the subject and the thoughts the author wishes to communicate immediately obvious and without nuance. And those subjects are themselves unworthy of public distribution.
Gregson clearly believes himself to be inspired and inspiring, but I personally found his middle class ennui repellant. The examples that most left me cringing were those about travel. He has nothing original to say on the subject, and I found his praise of "adventure" and "exploration" frankly tragic and pathetic. The desire to lose himself in experiences and his disappointment with his life's more mundane day-to-day seemed like something to share with a therapist as a barrier to a happy life. It reminded me of Alain de Botton's The Art of Travel but without any self-awareness.
Maybe this review seems too harsh. Allow me to share a couple of examples to illustrate my criticisms (which took me quite a while to find again, due to this book having no page numbers).
I need not book
nor cathedral grand,
I need no psalm
or knees that kneel.
Keep your robes,
your staff and grail,
I need not the organ
or glass stained with story.
Give me mountain,
give me sea,
give me starlight,
give me tree.
One hundred steps
into some far off
wild,
and I know all I need
of god.
There is no subtext to this poem. The sentence structure is chaotic, pointlessly in my opinion, and the imagery is flat. He doesn't need "knees that kneel" to worship? Really? Unimaginative and meritless poem.
Lumpy bed slanted left, rolling me
toward the window, jammed shut over
a radiator that won't shut off.
Tiny television with four channels,
three blurry, one always the news.
Twelve dozen stairs that creak,
long hallways that undulate
like waves, two thousand faces
my eyes have never seen.
Conversation that emerges
from nothing, and grows like
it was watered, realization that
things are shared, despite the sea
that splits us. Sunrise over
a landscape brand new after rising
in the middle of the darkness
forgetful of where you are, trying to
map the room to remind yourself,
sunset over cobblestones and
corner cafes.
This is why we go, travel
is the reminder that we know
so little, but are willing to learn
so much.
This is why we go.
Ah yes, we go so that we can learn about the exotic lifestyles of the global poor. This is just the Eat, Pray, Love travel blog of a man who seems to think about himself a great deal but somehow still comes off as unreflective and thoughtless. What is actually to be gleaned from a poem like this? It says its message outright and so requires no contemplation on the part of the reader. Its imagery is sparse and unfocused, creating a sense of neither place nor emotion. Conversation "grows like it was watered" but about what? Watered with what? Grows like what kind of plant? A lazy simile. And "things are shared, despite the sea that splits us" but what things are shared? And the sea here (likely literal) creates physical distance, but what does that matter in the age of internet, television, and all the other modes of cultural imperialism that are clearly recognizable any time you travel? These poems depict travel as a poignantly unexamined experience, fully internal to the traveler, purely an escape from the averageness of daily life. What has Gregson learned on his travels?
I think it is good to write. I think writing poetry about your feelings and experiences is good and healthy and wholesome. I think creative outlets are vital for people to process deeply what has happened to them in their lives. However, many more people believe their art to be worthy of public consumption than the market and simple reality can bear. This is a prime example of someone whose work should have remained personal and unpublished.
And there are so many people in the reviews of this book praising it for being "beautiful" and "inspirational" and it breaks my heart. Have they ever read any other poetry? Has Gregson even read any poetry? Reading the enthusiastic commentary of other readers, I mourned for our culture. Our lack of imagination, our commercial taste in messaging and meaning, our post-literate bankruptcy of fine language. I hope that if you picked up this book it left you hungry for more poetry. And I hope you search for and find some real poetry. There is a lot of good work out there.
October 22, 2025
One of my absolute most favourite collections of poetry, ideas, feelings and whispers of the heart captured in between two covers. I’ve read this one over and over again. 😌💕✨
“If there are flowers in you send them out, explode with color and grace; waste no sunlight; no time in the hiding. If you’re made to bloom, bloom”
“If there are flowers in you send them out, explode with color and grace; waste no sunlight; no time in the hiding. If you’re made to bloom, bloom”
March 3, 2022
While I always feel Gregson's writing is beautiful, for some reason I find it is getting increasingly hopeless? Even though it sounds beautiful?
April 10, 2021
I have been a fan of Tyler Knott Gregson for a very long time and always look forward to his new books. This one did not disappoint. You know poetry is good when it causes you to pause and absorb every beautiful word and syllable. I immediately want to read back through it and highlight all my favorites.
February 5, 2024
I have a connection of his book, he’s an enjoyable author and a lot of the pages (most) were very much enjoyed. Only downside with this one is I wasn’t a fan of ALL the poems, plus there is very small font in some of them that caused eye strain and so I skipped them 🤷🏼♀️
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January 1, 2022I have seen many a quotes from this author, and love that he friends with one of my fav musicians (Gregory Alan Isakov). He narrates his own poetry book and it's beautiful!
January 16, 2022
i truly wish i could give this six stars. there is so much beauty in this collection and the wonders of it all hit me in a much deeper spot than anticipated. as cheesy as it sound, this collection is a part of my healing and my finding of peace, and i'm so grateful that i picked this up on a whim.
May 16, 2025
Although I think the words were beautiful I found there was a lack of connection. Every poem was surface level and meant for the masses.
June 17, 2021
Real puntuation: ⭐2.8/5⭐
I did not conect with the most poetry, but the inside of the book is really beautiful, with all that arts.
I did not conect with the most poetry, but the inside of the book is really beautiful, with all that arts.
June 11, 2024
I was so eager to pick up this read for a couple of reasons. The design of this book is gorgeous. Every page is unique and the book is one big photo album featuring the author's own photography
Also, some special books end up in your hands at a time you need to hear the message they carry the most, and this book was one of them. The title is very fitting. I really enjoyed reading about the light shining through the dark and hope replacing hopelessness. The poetry truly illuminates the path for anyone seeking answers and comfort during some tough times. The author has a unique ability to lift your spirits, make you feel like you're not alone, and be the strong voice to cheer you on.
Full of hope, this poetry collection is a wonderful companion at the end of a tough day. Physical copy of the book is beautiful, but I also doubled up on the audiobook, and it was perfect to listen to on my commute to and from work.
Also, some special books end up in your hands at a time you need to hear the message they carry the most, and this book was one of them. The title is very fitting. I really enjoyed reading about the light shining through the dark and hope replacing hopelessness. The poetry truly illuminates the path for anyone seeking answers and comfort during some tough times. The author has a unique ability to lift your spirits, make you feel like you're not alone, and be the strong voice to cheer you on.
Full of hope, this poetry collection is a wonderful companion at the end of a tough day. Physical copy of the book is beautiful, but I also doubled up on the audiobook, and it was perfect to listen to on my commute to and from work.
May 30, 2024
My first introduction to Tyler Knott Gregson and his wonderful poems was buying a set of postcards with his writing on it. He has this uncanny knack of making you feel 'seen' - all your highs and lows, the daily grind, the special moments.
Tyler's poems are raw, honest and deeply felt. One gets the impression that he has gone through something nearing hell, and yet has come out and is determined to encourage others that they can survive it too, whilst not diminishing the toughness of it all - these are not light, sweet, pretty, pretty poems; even though 'light' is the overarching theme of this particular collection.
Of course poetry is a deeply personal thing and what speaks to one person, might scream at another but, that said, I would highly recommend reading Tyler's work.
Tyler's poems are raw, honest and deeply felt. One gets the impression that he has gone through something nearing hell, and yet has come out and is determined to encourage others that they can survive it too, whilst not diminishing the toughness of it all - these are not light, sweet, pretty, pretty poems; even though 'light' is the overarching theme of this particular collection.
Of course poetry is a deeply personal thing and what speaks to one person, might scream at another but, that said, I would highly recommend reading Tyler's work.
May 2, 2021
Thank you to the publisher for the gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.
This collection of poetry was insightful, introspective and moving. With themes of gratitude, overcoming obstacles and hope, this book is likely to bring readers a sense of calmness in the current climate and has the ability to become a devotional for those seeking serenity.
For me, some of the poems resonated more than others. However, I enjoyed the overall tone of the collection and would recommend it to others.
This collection of poetry was insightful, introspective and moving. With themes of gratitude, overcoming obstacles and hope, this book is likely to bring readers a sense of calmness in the current climate and has the ability to become a devotional for those seeking serenity.
For me, some of the poems resonated more than others. However, I enjoyed the overall tone of the collection and would recommend it to others.
April 25, 2021
As usual, Tyler is an absolute genius with words.
His fifth book, Illumination, is exactly what the world needs right now: a collection of poetry to move us, to remind us of the things that trigger reactions: goosebumps, tears, smiles, anger.
I'm an avid reader of his work since 2009 and he never seems to disappoint.
His fifth book, Illumination, is exactly what the world needs right now: a collection of poetry to move us, to remind us of the things that trigger reactions: goosebumps, tears, smiles, anger.
I'm an avid reader of his work since 2009 and he never seems to disappoint.
May 9, 2021
I really don’t have words for this. What an absolutely amazing and inspiring collection that takes you on a whole roller coaster of emotions. Just when I thought it couldn’t be possible, Tyler Knott Gregson took it to yet another level. Even if you’re not the biggest fanatic of poetry, I still encourage you to read this.
Phenomenal.
Phenomenal.
February 25, 2022
finished this book of typewritten quotes! i’ve been a longtime fan of Tyler Knott Gregson, and i LOVE his typewriter series. i was hopeful there’d be some of those in here, but this is a compilation of new poems of his about light seeking and love and enduring well! i’m really enjoying dabbling into more poetry.
rating: 📖📖📖 - i liked it
rating: 📖📖📖 - i liked it
March 6, 2022
The subject of the poetry in this piece was refreshing and very natural/down to earth. I also really enjoyed the presentation of each work. The pages were made to look like little torn scraps of discarded paper. Overall it gave the whole reading experience a unique feel and I am glad to have the chance to read this book. I also have some new favorites that I have bookmarked to return to.
December 18, 2023
The poems in this collection are alive with the wide-eyed eagerness of a traveller and also the comfort of home. Tyler Knott Gregson weaves beautifully specific sensory details into the lyrics. Photography throughout the book accompanies the poems, and they are shots from Gregson's travels that communicate the spirit of wanderlust and discovery.
January 31, 2024
A beautiful book of poems and innermost thoughts about various aspects of life. I read this a bit at a time, soaking up a few poems each day. I love the sheer beauty of the words and the power behind the message. An inspiring and uplifting collection with messages of hope, connection, perseverance, and light.
August 8, 2022
I very much enjoy Tyler Knott Gregson's poetry and while I have previously enjoyed reading his poems on the random pages I opened, I liked very much reading it from start to finish. It is poetry that makes you feel good and question yourself.
November 26, 2023
This book was so ridiculous. Not truth or love shared. Some of what he says is ungodly. He has no idea what life really is. He says the light is in us, and that is all we need.Read Caitlyn’s review. Agree with her 100% CathyR
November 26, 2023
Poems for those searching for themselves or those who have still have wanderlust in their heart even after they’ve finally found out who they are.
While I didn’t love this quite as much as I did the first in Gregson’s typewriter series, there are definitely some gems in here!
While I didn’t love this quite as much as I did the first in Gregson’s typewriter series, there are definitely some gems in here!
August 22, 2024
sickening hopeful at time, i resent it.
(i don’t; just needed to someone else to put back hope within my soul when i couldn’t do it myself and most importantly, couldn’t admit how hopeless i actually am these days.)
(i don’t; just needed to someone else to put back hope within my soul when i couldn’t do it myself and most importantly, couldn’t admit how hopeless i actually am these days.)
April 3, 2021
A book you will always go back. Beautiful writing and images.
May 11, 2021
Love Tyler Knott Gregson's work.
May 25, 2021
A book to remind yourself to continue fighting the fight, for within the darkness shines the (fractured) light.
August 1, 2021
I have read all of his books, this was probably my least fav
October 22, 2021
It was alright. It was a lot of words sometimes but other then that I did enjoy it
January 1, 2022
The perfect book of poetry to end this year with.
June 2, 2022
I loved these poems, very relatable!
March 21, 2023
The writing, photography and illustrations are a treat for the senses.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews