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First Impression: An easy, uncomplicated read that takes poerty lovers on a journey through overcoming fear and learning to accept oneself.

The Beautiful Ugliness of Being book cover

I would express my gratitude to Joe Maldonado for gifting me a free copy of his work in exchange for an honest review. Although it did not recive my highest acclaim, I am grateful for the experience.

Poetry writing is a really personal journey and often there is much to be taken from seeing it performed or hearing it read with all the intonation and passion that the author feels. Therefore, please read on and form your own opinion of the work. I enclose alittle snippet of one of the earlier poems that resonates with the book title.

I see the universe in all its glory,

In every weary face, every smile,

In every tear, in every story,

I find my own, and I’m beguiled

I am

a part of all that is,

A thread in the fabric of life,

Connected to every thing,

In a world of wonder, a world of strife. I celebrate this gift of being

And all the chaos it entails,

we are one,

and we are many,

And in all our ugliness,

beauty prevails.

Joe Maldonado

Made up of 24 poems ranging from a few lines to a couple of pages, Joe Maldonado presents the collection aptly named, The Beautiful Ugliness of Being. The book opens with the title poem and draws the reader into a collusion if you like. With a God-like sense, the beautiful ugliness of being isn’t one such person, it is the feeling of being everything and everywhere all at once, and feeling at peace with one and all. Additionally, the royal ‘we’ is imposed often, again, drawing the reader into the experiences being shared.

There are a couple of slight formatting issues that raised an eyebrow despite being barely perceivable. There is a slight difference in font size, perhaps to ensure that a poem fits on the page in a particular way. However, this does not sway the readability, only causes a moment of wonder. Further formatting issues occur in the poems ‘Shadow of the City,’ and ‘There is a Light,’ which sees missing spaces and lines running into each other. Here, distraction does arise and disappoint as the remainder of the book is set out so beautifully.

‘Second Opinion’ stood out for its honest reflection of not receiving the highest possible review score, but realizing the work carries a higher value. I appreciated the references to Back to the Future, the thoughts shared about stepping away from poetry, and the eventual persistence for the poet to continue to display their art. The tortuous pain of creating and being misunderstood is evident from the onset. The positioning of the poem is also appreciated, because not long after, the author presents a letter of love and wisdom to their younger self with lessons learned that will pave the way for their future. The advice speaks of cherishing time with loved ones, showing kindness and empathy, and not being afraid to make one’s mark on the world; all the common things we can all typically relate to. Readers of a particular age will also appreciate other culture references such as the reworking of ‘A Streetcar named Desire’ that becomes ‘A Streetcar named Disaster’.

Most poems carry an undertone of regret. There is an ethereal presence, and perhaps a desire to be more self-aware in earlier times. Despite the sadness conveyed in many of the works, it is easy to get swept up in the poems as they bounce along, predominantly made up of rhyming couplets or alternate rhymes. There are also a few haikus, well written that give pause for thought about fall, the drive through, and finding peace.

Overall, there is a cohesiveness of the collection. The selection and placement of each piece feels deliberate. Common themes run through the work like the aforementioned regret, but also the act and art of writing, learning, and growing. Though short, the journey feels complete as the writer writes of fear and persistence. Lacking any obscenities, this book will appeal to amateur poetry lovers that enjoy rhyme and uncomplicated pieces. The meanings are clear, making the book suitable for readers in their teens and above.

Quick Rating: ⭐⭐⭐/ PG-13

Have your say: Is there a poet that resonates with you? Won’t you share your opinions with the Papergirl Community in the comments below?

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