Aria

Welcome to Michael Ballard's Aria, a chapbook of 26 poems that mixes humor, honesty, and keen insight to reflect on the moments that define our lives.

Highlights of Aria:

• Everyday Life with a Twist: From quirky musings on aging ("Geezer Wednesday", "Zero to Sixty in Six Seconds") to bittersweet reflections on love and death ("Search Party", "How to Say Farewell"), Ballard captures life's absurdities and tender truths.
• Sharp and Poignant: Find beauty in unexpected places ("Bungee Jumping"), face the specter of mortality ("Dead Coyote by the Roadside"), and pause to reflect on the mundane ("Airline Food", "The Dental Hygienist Cleans While the Agnostic Dreams").
• Humor Meets Angst: Enjoy the delicate balance between humor and serious ruminations on mortality in "Whenever I Go to the Grocery Store" and "Thank You, Neptune Society".
• A Celebration of Life: From the sentimental relationship with his dog ("Jayme") to the profound connection we share as a human race ("Aria"), Michael Ballard's collection runs the gamut of emotion as it strives to illuminate what it means to be alive.