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Not Real Poetry

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Judge Burdon's poetry is a sophisticated slap in the face. The imagery induces you to clear your throat and shift your weight from one side to the other. Judge doesn't waste his words in an attempt to make you comfortable. As a poet he delivers defined grit and structured devastation."
S.L. Fleurimont Editor The Remnant Leaf Online Journal October 2017

103 pages, Paperback

First published June 3, 2021

2 people are currently reading
7 people want to read

About the author

Judge Santiago Burdon

22 books26 followers
Biography


Judge Santiago Burdon's stories and poems have appeared in over 350 Magazines, Literary Journals, Podcasts and Anthologies. He is considered to be one of the most influential writers of hard hitting, raw fiction of our time. This 21st Century “ Nelson Algren” has introduced an empirical genre to literature referred to as; 'Impulse Fiction'. Santiago was recognized as an International Poet and Author in Who's Who of Emerging Writers 2020 and again in 2021. He has authored nine books published by three different presses. Santiago turned 71 last July and lives in Tucson Arizona.


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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
Profile Image for Matt Nagin.
Author 7 books88 followers
August 29, 2021
Judge Santiago Burdon is at it again...he brings that same grittiness as well as the passion and humor he provided in his excellent short story debut, "Stray Dogs And Deuces Wild." Here he covers a wide array of topics, many poems intriguing based on the titles alone: "Cockroach Soliloquy," "Grilled Cheese Hold The Memory," and "One Woman Waterfall" are three outstanding examples. There are many gems in this book.

Burdon's poetry is direct and yet surreal, emotional yet comedic, filled with street vernacular and yet also capable of metaphorical flights of fancy. The way it hits these different registers makes the book compelling. What is more you can tell Burdon, unlike some authors today, writes from experience. There's not a lot of pretense here, which I think goes a long way.

I enjoyed this book very much and highly recommend it.
Profile Image for Veronicka Falletta.
1 review9 followers
Read
August 30, 2021
If you spend your dollars on one book of poems, make it Judge Santiago Burdon's brilliant, irreverent, Not Real Poetry.
These poems are a shot in the vein and a kick in the ass and will revive your heart and love of kickass poetry in a sea of fucking drivel.
My personal favorite and welcome poetry punch in the face is I'm Not Dancing With That Bitch Anymore.
She Bleeds For Brooklyn will bleed your heart, and you will give thanks, and the final poem What's Left Of Me will make you fall in love with the outlaw poet who wrote it and drop a tear for his outrageous and unexpected tenderness. Judge Santiago Burdon is not a poet and this is not poetry. Judge is a fucking rockstar and these pieces of him are his song.
Buy it. It's easily the best collection by a living writer that I have read in years. This is the gut-punch you've been waiting for. And Burdon's pen is setting the world on fire.

Read everything you can by this rare man who is equal parts barbarian and gentle man.

You will not be disappointed.

And you might even fall in love with a legend like I did.

(Viva la Santi!)
#BuyPoetry

V. Falletta
3 reviews
September 11, 2021
Not Real Poetry

"I'm cheap beer and generic cigarettes". In six words Judge Santiago Burdon somehow managed to sum up the very essence that I've spent weeks over thinking. "Not Real Poetry" is the real deal, it's made up of the stuff that I've personally lived through, yet no one else believes. Raw, Rough, and even Rebellious in an unintentional way, Judge takes you by the collar and makes you understand that "all that glitters isn't gold, infact… sometimes it's just plain hell". You can almost hear the clacking away at some vintage typewriter, with the smell of ribbon, bourbon and "generic cigarettes" as Judge takes you on a tour de force through what's "Not Real Poetry".

Matthew Bowers 93
7 reviews
August 27, 2021
First of all, I never write reviews. I have been moved to review this book, yet struggled with what to say. So bear with me. First of all, the title, Not Real Poetry, is perfect sarcasm. This poetry is Real, and yet not. The title reveals the poet's humor, self-deprecation, and wit, which is a constant on every page. The subjects are something I would not normally gravitate to, but each poem expresses such gut wrenching self awareness, with no sense of self pity, and Judge uses such beautiful language, that I am irresistibly drawn to it. Running throughout, despite all the tragedy, is an ember of hope, and even innocence that marks an endearing closet romantic. A complex man, indeed. If you love words, as I do, read it.
1 review1 follower
August 29, 2021
Judge Santiago Burdon is well named. His poetry judges life and values and provides a searing critique of what he sees. His poetry is visceral and would be welcomed in the classroom and the barroom. He pulls no punches. He writes with 4:00 AM honesty. His poetry does not calm or coddle. It wakes you up and makes you want to take a stiff shot of whatever gets you going for the day. I recommend a stiff shot of this man’s words to anyone looking for a cynical but still hopeful take on our modern world.
3 reviews1 follower
August 25, 2021
I've been a fan of Judge Santiago Burdon's poetry and short stories for a couple of years. His writing style is unique, raw and fresh. His stories have never failed to entertain me, always leaving me looking forward to his next write.
I'm astounded by the collection of poems contained in "Not Real Poetry" I believe these poems as genuinely Real Poetry. I would refer to the collection as "in your face" poetry that's raw and gritty.
I highly recommend the read.
Profile Image for M. Ali.
Author 21 books5 followers
August 29, 2021
Judge Santiago Burdon deserves the title of the most authentique and most genuine poet that can be. He remained loyal to his pen and inner voice. Judge Santiago Burdon is not that ordinary poet who sits in a cozy chair writing lackluster poems, but he is that poet—I find relief in reading and following— who was shaped by a harsh life experience and unexpected encounters, which allowed him to gain the prime wisdom and beauty we find burried in and between the lines of this poetry collection.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Robert McDermott.
6 reviews3 followers
September 3, 2021
Judge Santiago Burdon's writing style is very distinctive.
I have read much of his work, including his two books of short stories.

His acute use of language spans a spectrum of profanity to profundity. He creates striking imagery that is engrossing. Some poems are like a cold splash of water on your face. Others are an unconventional expression of love.

In my opinion, he is becoming a groundbreaking poet. I highly recommend this book.

Robert McDermott
Profile Image for Giovanni Mangiante.
4 reviews3 followers
August 20, 2021
Judge Santiago Burdon is one of the few great writers of our time keeping the genre of realism alive and innovative. His writing has the wit and quickness necessary to make the words pop out from the pages as you turn them.
3 reviews3 followers
August 28, 2021
If it is true that great poetry is the outward expression of an inner life of the poet; then this inner life will reveal just how Judge Santiago Burdon sees the world and his place in it; and he is steeped in some very dark brews.
2 reviews
August 6, 2021
I love this book. It's one of the ones I keep an arms length away and trust me I reach for it a lot !
So what do you get when you mix street cred and
education ? Some of the greatest writing on the planet !!
Profile Image for Jesse Kennedy.
Author 5 books6 followers
August 4, 2021
Judge is the real deal. Both his poetry and short stories have authentic edge to them. Do yourself a favor and check this guy out.
Profile Image for Matthew Bowers.
6 reviews1 follower
October 26, 2021
Book Review:
Not Real Poetry
By Judge Santiago Burdon

"I'm cheap beer and generic cigarettes". In six words Judge Santiago Burdon somehow managed to some up the very essence that I've spent weeks over thinking. "Not Real Poetry" is the real deal, it's made up of the stuff that I've personally lived through, yet no one else believes. Raw, Rough, and even Rebellious in an unintentional way, Judge takes you by the collar and makes you understand that "all that glitters isn't gold, infact… sometimes it's just plain hell". You can almost hear the clacking away at some vintage typewriter, with the smell of ribbon, bourbon and "generic cigarettes" as Judge takes you on a tour de force through what's "Not Real Poetry".

Matthew Bowers 93
1 review
October 7, 2021
My son first introduced me to Judge Santiago Burdon's writing.
"Mom, this author sounds a lot like Uncle Santiago. You should read these books." He requested.
I hadn't heard from or talked to my brother in over ten years. As I began to read the poems in the book "Not Real Poetry" I was instantly drawn into the raw and gritty reality of his distinctive verse. There were poems that referred to a childhood of unpleasant experiences and others relating to structured devastation that plagued him throughout his life.
His ability to express himself in the language of gasoline fumes and stale cigarette smoke provided me with the final clue. This collection of brutally honest poetry I determined was written by my brother Santiago. He was using my grandmother's maiden name of Burdon as a pen name.
I recommend both "Not Real Poetry" and "Stray Dogs And Deuces Wild Cautionary Tales" not because they are penned by my brother. If you want to experience the bite, the punch of life lived on the edge, then these books are sure to deliver an understanding of irresistible misfortune.
2 reviews
Read
September 16, 2021
If I could go grab the judge really quick, ask him to sit down and tell you his stories and recite his poetry, it would never work. First off the 45 coming out of the waistband gentle laid on the table would throw you way off. Plus Johnny Rico would never take his eyes off of you. But that's another story all together. So no you may not be able to handle this truth but you can curl up by your fake log fire place and read this wonderful collection of 100 percent authentic uncut poetry.. this you can surely handle so what the hell are you waiting on...buy this book. Or Judge and Johnny just might show up at your doorstep. Remember friend , visiting gangsters =not good..not real poetry =good. Now go buy and read the book .that is all.
Jason Rogers
Profile Image for Ryan Paul Davis.
1 review
September 17, 2021
Brilliant work. Bold and brutally honest, Judge Santiago Burdon holds nothing back as he slaps you awake from the mundane. Dark at times, other times hopeful and promising, Not Real Poetry weaves extraordinarily accurate and relatable snapshots of life. “I Never Write Love Poems” is just one example, beautifully describing the kind of love that makes one feel whole, at home, and at peace. It stings, and that sting is the sensation validating your epiphany.

I am blessed to have read this work, and sincerely hope all are fortunate enough to do the same. Thank you, Judge, for this creation. Your work is refreshingly genuine and highly inspiring.
3 reviews
September 4, 2021
His work is so very interesting and very catchy...its hard ti put down, almost addictive to read. Haven't been disappointed yet
Profile Image for Judge Santiago Burdon.
Author 22 books26 followers
Currently Reading
December 8, 2022
Steve Lester Carr
Review of "Not Real Poetry"
by Judge Santiago Burdon
Amazon June 25, 2021

Raw, powerful and visceral and yes, it is actually real Poetry. Reviewed in the United States on June 22, 2021
It should first be said that Judge Santiago Burdon's collection of poetry "Not Real Poetry" is in actuality, real poetry. There are few (if any) lines in this collection about how flowers smell like teardrops or how the bellies of puppies are soft and smooth like silk pillows. If those kinds of sentiments are the only definitions of poetry, or if poetry that is about love and romance requires a roaring fireplace and a glass of wine to accompany it, then I'm glad to say, that is not the poetry in Judge's collection either. I say, glad, because Judge's poetry is almost the antithesis of poetry that is full of flowery language and idealistic ramblings about the nature of love and romance. It is about love and romance that is visceral, raw and real. This is poetry borne of a man's disappointments, angers, frustrations, and occasional fits of rage regarding his experiences with love and lovers, sex partners and sex workers. This is poetry that is as sharply edged as a butcher knife, and as filled with the subtext of pain from the masculine viewpoint, as the stings from a hive of hornets. Judge has done an amazing thing with his poetry: he has thrown out the window what is politically correct and written what is exactly on his mind and in his heart about many of his experiences with the opposite sex, most of which are negative and primal. But beneath all of that there is a yearning to find love, to succumb to it. In every action there is a reaction. Women may be turned off by it because of its sometimes brutal assessment of his dealings with them, and other men may feel a need to keep it a secret that they read it (and heaven forbid, enjoyed, it) for fear that it may taint them as being sexist or misogynistic. But those are the reasons Judge's collection SHOULD BE READ. It makes men and women alike confront the truth that not all romantic and love poetry involves stanza after stanza of lovelorn anguish or exaltations, that sometimes love and romance stinks. This is poetry that is definitely real; it just may not evoke the warm and fuzzy feelings associated with poetry.

Steve Lester Carr is an internationally published Author. His Short Stories have been featured in over 500 magazines and on-line literary sites and blogs. He's also Editor and Publisher of Sweetycat Press.

Not Real Poetry sin
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1914130286
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews