This book is a true artistic work of word and art.
Wonderful compositions of poetry are brought to us in a most warming and sensitive way by the author, and a few of her poems are accompanied with some wonderful art by Chris Tutty.
Each poem will move you, for they contain all kinds of human emotions, like love, happiness, sadness, and loss, and these poems are written in an artistically beautiful fashion, and so whenever you read them they will always reach your heart and touch your soul.
Highly recommended, for this is a most wonderful book of poetry, which is accompanied with art, with my favourites poems being "The Forever Love", "Origin", "The In Between" and "Mother's Day", and everyone interested in poetry should at least read this unique collection of words and rhythm, and that's why as far as I'm concerned I like to call this magnificent poem collection: "Beautiful Heart-Warming Lyrical Poetry"!
**Once again a huge thank you to the author for this wonderful paperback gift without any obligations, and even so that's the case, still this review of mine is unbiased and honest in every way!**
More than a collection of poetry, Ms. Casamento Arrigo's views on life and all its aspects come through in a seamless, kaleidoscopic weave, a visual feast of words, as it were. I can't choose which poem conveys her vision the most; all are excellent in their own way, and you'll be left with a deeper understanding of life once you finish this remarkable collection of poetry.
Highly recommended for those who love a different take on the usual.
It takes something special to make my weary eyes well up. Mostly it’s due to a piece of music that hits the heart. These special works of poetry are akin to wondrous musical compositions. Each word is a note, each sentence a collection of magical chords. All combine to create a magnificent symphony that creates waves of emotion. These are raw and powerful, full of a life’s journey. “Dad’s last breath”, “Death Only Not”, “Gone”, “Elyssium”, and “Nothingness” are just a few that will remain long in my mind. I also cannot go without mentioning the special art work of Chris Tutty that adorn numerous pages in this doubly amazing book. They are golden interludes, intermissions if you like, that allow you to catch your breath, compose yourself before carefully turning these pages to discover more hidden diamonds. This is one book that is an absolute MUST for those who love poetry as a connection to their empathetic side. If you’re not moved by any, then you truly have a heart of stone. Five ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ stars seem far too small a rating for a this very special book, by a very special poet in Anna Casamento Arrigo. Anna, you should be anointed as the new Poet Laureate.
I was introduced to the talented Anna Casamento Arrigo through her wonderful children’s books. She has a way with words that craft those stories into memorable reading experiences for adults and children alike. But her talents do not rest within the pages of those stories for children. She is a multi-genre author and poet whose writing is infused with soul-wrenching stories that take you to a higher level and make you believe that anything is possible.
Changeling, poems that will change the inner you, is a reading experience on that same level. I knew this was going to be a powerful, deeply meaningful collection as soon as I opened the book to the first poem, Dragon Tears, alongside a fitting portrait of the lizard king himself, Jim Morrison. From the first line, ‘Give me your death and I shall live your eternity’, I was drawn into the inner workings of the author’s mind where I was allowed to continue exploring her depth until the very last page. From short, simple poems like The White Wicker Basket, which breathes new life into the world through the beginnings of a new day, to longer, more complicated offerings like Mass, where she takes us on a journey through the minds of those seeking atonement or forgiveness they feel can only be found in a gathering. Where even though their thoughts continue to wander back to their individual needs, there is still faith for something better deep within those who seek the gathering of a Mass.
The beauty of this collection, however, comes from Casamento Arrigo’s ability to write in such a way that each poem can have a different meaning for each individual reading it based on their personal experiences in life. It’s also evident that this collection has a personal meaning for the author. A meaning of a life well-lived, but not always easy… One where challenges have been faced and with time have been beaten.
The collection of poems within this book will make you think. They reflect the dark side of life as well as bring the promise of hope to those who pursue it. They are accompanied by the artwork of artist, Chris Tutty, whose haunting pictures help form a peek inside the mind of a truly gifted poet as you discover each treasure within the pages.
This remarkable collection is a 5-star reading experience that will stay with you long after the last page is read.
I was profoundly moved by each soulful and heart-wrenching poem in Anna Casamento Arrigo’s collection. Chris Tutty’s complementary art is breathtaking.
Intelligently and artistically written by a lyrical visionary, the poet infuses many references to classical literature in her verses which flow like musical compositions. The reader is swept along the bittersweet melodies of her childhood. “The Immigrant Child,” “My Orange Sandals,” “Alone Together,” “My Dad,” and “The Path” loom large in my mind.
Then, there’s the memorable, “My Easter Bonnet,” where the poet lovingly recalls her mother’s green bonnet with plastic flowers sprayed with Heaven Scent.
Although somber truths are revealed—inner strength, resilience, and a positive outlook prevail without donning rose-colored glasses. In “Let’s Play Pretend”:
Even the dreary, dark skies, which covered all with their deep gray haze, Did not stop the bright flowers of the field, just beyond my yard, From peering out and making their presence known.
I highly recommend ‘Changeling,’ a brilliant collection of poems written by a lyrical visionary in collaboration with Chris Tutty, an artist who blends photorealism with abstract imagery.
‘Changeling’ by poet, Anna Casamento Arrigo and artist, Chris Tutty is an amazing collaboration of two talented individuals.
I found the book to be an interesting interplay of words, rhythm, and articulation along with color, lines and shapes. This allows the reader the ability to assign his or her own meaning to many of the pieces, very similar to the viewing of an abstract painting. The marriage of theses two forms of expression enriched this reader’s experience.
I was already a huge fan of Ms. Arrigo’s poetry and once again, she did not disappoint with this latest poetry collection. Anna makes exquisite use of her words. They are crisp, raw and honestly expressed, but with brevity.
Chris’ artwork contains so much detail that on each occasion when I viewed it, I would find a unique small morsel of meaning hidden there that I hadn’t seen before. The colors are invigorating and exciting as well.
I highly recommend this lovely book. It is stimulating. It is intensely personal. But most importantly, it contains thoughts and images that each one of us can relate to in our own unique way.
Changeling is a collaboration of poetry and artwork by two talented people: Anna Casamento Arrigo and Chris Tutty. In one word: amazing. I loved the rhythm of the words and the thoughts that they provoked. I particularly loved Degree of Separation, Changeling and Changeling 2. A collection of life poems that are not for the faint-hearted. They are filled with raw emotion and are unique. Chris’s artwork complements Anna’s poetic language throughout and reminded me of viewing many canvases in a museum of modern art.
Lovely collection of poetry. Being new to it, I enjoyed the multiple varieties and themes. Definitely recommend for beginners and regular enjoyers of poetry.
As I read this book, I was drawn into each poem, deeply, and emotion flowed within my person. I liked all of the book and especially "Mass". One can see the beauty of the words with the delightful artistry of the graphics included. Five stars!
Red Butler (on Amazon-certified purchase) 5.0 out of 5 stars Mystical reality of the moment Reviewed in the United States on June 10, 2021 Review for Changeling by Anna Casamento Arrigo and Chris Tutty Readers of life experience and maturity will especially enjoy this collection of poetry that offers a great book cover splashed with colorful skillfully emotive art evoking what is to come within its pages. The mystical examination of the seasons, loves, dreams, and memories of what it means to be human is at play with playfulness in both joy and endearment. The authors have given us a 5 star expose of the etheric and the mystical repose of many subjects. Filled with emotional overtones, the text talks in depth of the many sides of love, death and dying, depression, the decades passed when things were not ever perfect but lived with passion and a commonality. Much is shrouded in the mystery of being, how childhood memories work, and the storms of the years. On page 69 we get a surprise gift of a picture of the author Arrigo depicting her youthful Sicilian beauty in a moment captured forever. That was profound in its placement. Mostly upbeat is the collection at hand, yet still speaking of reality and things like waiting for the rescue of the great truth to come. The madness of the staged virus of 2020 with it’s equally lunatic fringe blue city riots are briefly touched upon. The moves of prose to conclusion take upon the tenor of the times of uncertainty and wonder for peace, but shows that in the good life already lived there can be no fear in death. This is about the ways in which the boomers, those with tender hearts and deep aspirations of literature, art, music infused in the psyche, live in celebration of the good that has been, without flinching to recognize the darkness creeping, but hold to the notions of prior profound teachings and experiences that make us free, no matter what.
Changeling is a collection of poetry and artwork by Anna Casamento Arrigo and Chris Tutty. The book is nearly a guidebook to self-reflection and discovering what’s most important in this thing we call life. Whether the poet is writing about youthful days of wonder and expectation or end-of-life and what could have been and what was; she masterfully tugs at the reader’s heart and intellect; each word offers a key to reconnect with life’s blessings- the every day, the in-between, the this and that, and the importance of finding joy. Never looking back unless it is to motivate, inspire, and move forward.
Bravo to the authors for connecting the artist’s work to the poet’s words. I enjoyed the abstract reprints and discovering the hidden drawings within many. My favorite works are on pages 65, 74 and 82. The image on page 8 is clever and impressive as I’ve never seen an interpretation quite like it.
I recommend buying the print book to truly immerse yourself in the experience of words and art colliding.
Ms. Casamento-Arrigo has an incredible way of expressing complicated emotions through her poetry. In this collection there were touching reflections of her past; some happy, some bittersweet. She was reliving moments and also trying to let go. The poems inspired me to remember certain things of my own past.