Reinvention: Poems

by Rik Emmett

Poetry from beloved lead guitarist of the multi-platinum record selling legendary band Triumph Reinvention is a largely autobiographical collection of poetry ― a project that followed on the heels of Rik Emmett retiring from a touring musician’s and college educator’s life in early 2019. Inside all of the slashes that define him ― singer/songwriter/guitarist/rock star/teacher/columnist ― writing has always been his strongest avocation, and the poetic style of “Ultra Talk,” in particular, offered a welcome spark for a songwriter’s freedom of expression. This creative license is organized under seven headings – The Humanities, Life & Death, There’s Politics in Everything, Double Helix, Soapbox Sermonettes, Time Time Time, and Ars Nova 2020. Rik’s poetry (literally) reinvents his own retirement, and it’s not just some aging dilettante’s bucket list fancy. He discovered a sincere way to tie up a lot of loose ends, fulfill dormant promise, and eschew show biz tangents. Reinvention, his first book, makes some sense of a life that always went in a lot of different directions at once. Finally, he’s given himself permission to chase a mode of self-expression with less commercial potential … than jazz guitar recordings.

120 pages, Paperback

Published September 14, 2021

Reviews

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

It starts slow, but the middle sections of the book are really strong. The poems in the sections on politics, the double helix and soapbox sermonettes are almost all excellent. I highlighted a lot in this book.

[Christopher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Words of wisdom for the second half of a man's life. Bravo Rik Emmett!