After months of anticipation, I’m thrilled to announce that Shreds is finally available for purchase! This collection of poems, a journey through time and thought, is now live on Amazon in both paperback and eBook formats.

(It may take a few more hours for the links to appear.)

Shreds isn’t just a book; it’s a piece of my soul, gathered over years of writing, reflection, and growth. Each poem has its own story, and together, they weave a narrative that spans a decade of my life. Some of you may have already glimpsed a few of these verses here on the blog, but now they are all collected in one place, ready for you to explore and hopefully enjoy.

For those of you who have been following along, you know this has been a labor of love. I’ve put everything into making this book as honest and raw as possible, embracing both the imperfections and the beauty that come with creating something so personal. As you read, I hope you’ll find a connection to the words on these pages, and if just one poem resonates with you, then I’ll consider my job well done.

To celebrate the launch, I’ll be sharing additional content over the coming days—behind-the-scenes stories, video readings, and perhaps a few surprises. And remember, every poem in Shreds is also available right here on the blog for you to revisit or discover anew.

Thank you for your support and for joining me on this journey. Shreds is out in the world now, and I can’t wait to hear what you think. If you enjoy it, please consider leaving a review on Amazon or sharing your thoughts in the comments below. Your feedback means the world to me and helps this book reach even more readers.

From the book’s Introudction:

“Shreds” is a modest collection of brief verses, born amidst the daily routines of a bygone era, when I was ten years younger and the allure of rhymes held a sacred, yet fleeting, significance. In those days, the solitary moments I felt truly understood were those when the page, like a silent confidant, echoed back the words I dared to inscribe upon it. This anthology brings together poems of varied origins—some were penned in Italian, others remained only half-formed, and some arrived on paper as if by serendipity. Among them, some are cherished remnants of my past, while others evoke discomfort, perhaps due to their flaws or their once-pleasing melodies now discordant to my evolved sensibilities.

As with all my poetic endeavors, “Shreds” came into being through the random capture of inspiration. These verses were scribbled in the margins of books, recorded in the notes app of my phone, noted down in the pages of a planner, or scrawled on yellow scraps hidden away in a drawer. The title, fittingly, suits these fragments as though tailored to them: shards of days observed through the lens of an aspiring poet, a novice storyteller, a seeker of sensations, a wanderer, and a scholar lost amidst shadows of imitation and the gleam of fleeting hopes.

The collection is divided into three distinct sections, reflecting the evolution of themes and structures over time. The first part, spanning from 2013 to 2014, is marked by a conceptual and abstract approach that, in retrospect, may seem less polished. These early poems are the raw, unrefined thoughts of a poet finding his voice. The second part, dating from 2015, represents a shift towards mimicking my songwriting style, resulting in verses that are more readable and accessible, though still imperfect. The final section, from 2016 onwards, proudly showcases my development in storytelling and writing. Here, the poems exhibit a marked improvement in both craft and content, embodying the growth and maturity of my poetic journey. This progression underscores the learning curve and dedication that have shaped the evolution of my work.

To fully appreciate the essence of “Shreds,” I encourage readers to engage with these poems vocally, letting their sounds and rhythms resonate through your voice. Reading aloud allows the subtle cadences and intricate melodies to come alive, enhancing the connection between the words and your own experiences. As you journey through these verses, consider underlining lines that particularly touch your heart or evoke a strong response. You might also find it rewarding to mark these moments with small pieces of paper, leaves, or other mementos tucked between the pages—symbols of the verses that resonate with you most deeply. This personal touch can create a living dialogue between the text and the reader, turning each poem into a cherished, interactive experience.

Should you find yourself moved by even a single poem within these pages, I will consider my task fulfilled. For me, the true measure of success lies not in the quantity of praise or the collective impact of these verses, but in the ability of just one piece to resonate with you. If a single poem speaks to your soul or ignites a spark of reflection, then this collection has achieved its purpose. In that moment of connection, my role as a poet finds its deepest satisfaction, knowing that amidst the myriad fragments, one has found its rightful place in your heart.

Please note that you might encounter some formatting discrepancies within these pages. In my quest to preserve the integrity and flow of each poem, I opted to avoid having single lines or final sentences isolated on separate pages. This decision, alongside other editorial choices, may result in occasional inconsistencies in formatting. Such variations are not merely oversights but intentional elements of the presentation, meant to maintain the continuity and rhythm of the verses.

English is not my native tongue, and the imperfections that arise may defy the usual poetic license. In revisiting these texts after many years, I chose to preserve their original form—mistakes, oversights, clumsy rhymes, and ambiguous images remain as they were. Each shred represents a fragment of my being—my failings, my pride, my ignorance, my exaggerations, my earnest attempts, and both my successes and failures. They stand as testament to their origins, each a piece of the intricate mosaic of my evolving self.

May these verses endure as they first emerged, a testament to the imperfect yet sincere journey of an apprentice poet.

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SOCIAL & CONTACTS

Mail: delriomarco.md@gmail.com
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