No Love Lost: A Poetic Tale

By Shaun J. Phree

Most of the poems in No Love Lost follow a poet who is a lover as much as he is a fighter. He has constructed an expose of the sometimes-painful agony that accompanies loves fate. He is wise to its highs and lows, and through his astute observance and life experience he does not shy away from giving it to us raw.

you ask how do i know i’m in love
because
i can’t breathe
without her
she’s my oxygen.
(O2)

Phree does not back down from the emotional complexities of relationships especially when they’re in various states of dysfunction. He writes in a manner consistent with a man on a perpetual mission of self-exploration.

who knew i of all people
could be controlled by
such a small monster
with such a big appetite
(Parasite)

It is naive to assume that any poet’s work is autobiographical in nature, but it’s hard not to do so in this case. Clever, carefully crafted lines wrought with honest emotion run rampart here. This collection is a front row view of deep seated feeling, containing the good and the bad—at alternating intersections of ones past, present, and future experiences with love, heartbreak, and healing. Therein lies the source of power in Phree’s poetry. His language is as vivid and his rhythm is precise. Is it love or pain that carries each stanza? You decide.

Phree’s opening poem, Essence of Sexy, sets the stage for what is sure to be an eclectic collection of relevant, fresh, and hip-hop-esque poetry, gracing each and every line with the eloquence of a man on a mission to clear his mind, and most importantly, his heart. There are no pretenses, his poetry makes no promises and his words are characterized by a perceived innate authenticity.

• Language: English
• Publisher: PLE Press LLC
• Release date: Jun 8, 2017
• ISBN: 9781370408191

Shaun J. Phree

PLE Press, LLC is a small press dedicated to the exposure of all types of stories from a diverse group of authors.