_____ _______ _____ _____
/\ \ /::\ \ /\ \ /\ \
/::\ \ /::::\ \ /::\ \ /::\ \
/::::\ \ /::::::\ \ /::::\ \ \:::\ \
/::::::\ \ /::::::::\ \ /::::::\ \ \:::\ \
/:::/\:::\ \ /:::/~~\:::\ \ /:::/\:::\ \ \:::\ \
/:::/__\:::\ \ /:::/ \:::\ \ /:::/__\:::\ \ \:::\ \
\:::\ \:::\ \ /:::/ / \:::\ \ /::::\ \:::\ \ /::::\ \
___\:::\ \:::\ \ /:::/____/ \:::\____\ /::::::\ \:::\ \ /::::::\ \
/\ \:::\ \:::\ \ |:::| | |:::| | /:::/\:::\ \:::\ \ /:::/\:::\ \
/::\ \:::\ \:::\____\|:::|____| |:::| |/:::/ \:::\ \:::\____\ /:::/ \:::\____\
\:::\ \:::\ \::/ / \:::\ \ /:::/ / \::/ \:::\ \::/ / /:::/ \::/ /
\:::\ \:::\ \/____/ \:::\ \ /:::/ / \/____/ \:::\ \/____/ /:::/ / \/____/
\:::\ \:::\ \ \:::\ /:::/ / \:::\ \ /:::/ /
\:::\ \:::\____\ \:::\__/:::/ / \:::\____\ /:::/ /
\:::\ /:::/ / \::::::::/ / \::/ / \::/ /
\:::\/:::/ / \::::::/ / \/____/ \/____/
\::::::/ / \::::/ /
\::::/ / \::/____/
\::/ / ~~
\/____/
_____ _____ _____ _____
/\ \ /\ \ /\ \ |\ \
/::\ \ /::\ \ /::\ \ |:\____\
/::::\ \ \:::\ \ \:::\ \ |::| |
/::::::\ \ \:::\ \ \:::\ \ |::| |
/:::/\:::\ \ \:::\ \ \:::\ \ |::| |
/:::/ \:::\ \ \:::\ \ \:::\ \ |::| |
/:::/ \:::\ \ /::::\ \ /::::\ \ |::| |
/:::/ / \:::\ \ ____ /::::::\ \ /::::::\ \ |::|___|______
/:::/ / \:::\ \ /\ \ /:::/\:::\ \ /:::/\:::\ \ /::::::::\ \
/:::/____/ \:::\____\/::\ \/:::/ \:::\____\ /:::/ \:::\____\ /::::::::::\____\
\:::\ \ \::/ /\:::\ /:::/ \::/ / /:::/ \::/ / /:::/~~~~/~~
\:::\ \ \/____/ \:::\/:::/ / \/____/ /:::/ / \/____/ /:::/ /
\:::\ \ \::::::/ / /:::/ / /:::/ /
\:::\ \ \::::/____/ /:::/ / /:::/ /
\:::\ \ \:::\ \ \::/ / \::/ /
\:::\ \ \:::\ \ \/____/ \/____/
\:::\ \ \:::\ \
\:::\____\ \:::\____\
\::/ / \::/ /
\/____/ \/____/
I am pleased to announce the publication of my very first book,
soft city
(柔らかい街).
it is a collection of poetry, musings, photographs, brain thoughts, and sketches from a trip I took to japan in 2019.
these were initially written for the pure act of creative enjoyment itself, with no intention of publication.
but more recently (thanks in part to the urging of a few of my more poetically-inclined friends),
I returned to these ideas and decided to release them into the world simply in order
to celebrate the time I had there and to preserve the memories I made;
my only hope is that bringing this work into the physical realm will help me cherish these memories forever.
the book itself will be printed in two editions: a run of 100 copies in standard trade softcover size
with cover art by the immensely talented
_avtvmn_ [pictured below; shipping mid-august]; and an artbook-sized run of XX copies in hardcover boards with slipcases,
all hand-stitched and hand-bound in traditional japanese style by the equally talented
lauren paige harper [COMING SOON].
.png)
you can obtain a copy by asking me nicely in person (if you're in NYC), or by purchasing it right here through my website (get in contact with me if you're outside the US and we can work out the cost of shipping).
specs:
- 240 pages.
- 50 B&W photographs.
- hand-numbered and signed.
- published on august 12, 2024 by tower to the sea press in brooklyn, new york.
- printed on FSC-certified paper made from 100% recycled, acid-free, post-consumer fiber.
- printed and bound in the united states of america.
- limited to 100 copies in softcover.
- limited to XX copies in hardcover.
- $20 (or PWYC) + shipping for the softcover.
- $?? (TBD) + shipping for the hardcover artbook.
PURCHASE HERE
VIA PAYPAL / VENMO
blurbs about the book as written by robots:
"In this striking collection of poetry, Lombardi takes readers on a journey through the surreal
and the visceral, blending abstract imagery with profound emotional depth. The poems navigate the delicate
balance between dream and reality, often delving into themes of memory, identity, and the inexorable passage
of time. From the haunting reflections on the aftermath of Hiroshima to the existential musings of a figure
suspended between worlds, the verses are both evocative and unsettling, inviting readers to explore the
complex tapestry of human experience. With a lyrical prowess that conjures vivid, often unsettling, imagery,
these poems challenge conventional forms and expectations, weaving a narrative that is as much about the
internal as the external. Whether meditating on the tragic history of a city or unraveling the intricate
layers of personal melancholy, the collection offers a raw and unfiltered look at the human condition,
unafraid to confront the darkness that lies beneath the surface. This is a work that resonates with the
echoes of modernist and postmodernist influences, yet stands uniquely apart in its voice and vision.
It is a testament to the power of language to both reveal and obscure, to heal and to wound. A must-read
for those who seek poetry that does not merely speak, but demands to be felt."
- Dorian Miles, The Solstice Review.
"In this mesmerizing new book, Matt Lombardi invites readers to traverse a landscape
where the tangible intertwines with the abstract, where every poem unveils a unique facet of the human condition.
With an exquisite blend of vivid imagery and profound introspection, this collection is a compelling exploration
of existential themes and emotional landscapes. From the hauntingly beautiful "天国" (Heaven) to the surreal
"夢の虎" (Dreamtigers), each poem is a journey through inner realms and outer worlds. Lombardi masterfully
balances the stark realities of modern life with the delicate intricacies of the soul, crafting verses that are
at once unsettling and sublime. In "現代都市ヴィジョン" (Modern City Vision), the urban sprawl is depicted through
a lens of steely ambition and human frailty, while "孤独の発明" (The Invention of Solitude) captures the poignant
isolation of autumn and winter’s embrace. The poet’s deft use of metaphor and symbolism in poems like "卵" (Eggs)
creates a rich tapestry of thought-provoking imagery and profound emotion. "猫バンド" (Neko Band) presents a
dystopian world where conformity suffocates individuality, and "オレンジ" (Orange) offers a striking meditation
on the intersections of memory and perception. The collection’s finale, "憂鬱の解剖学" (The Anatomy of Melancholy),
is a haunting reflection on existential despair and the quest for renewal. This collection is not merely a book
of poetry but an immersive experience—a reflective and resonant examination of life’s complexities. For readers
who seek poetry that challenges, captivates, and inspires, Lombardi delivers a striking and unforgettable
literary journey."
- Marlowe Harper, The Echoing Quill.
"These poems, rich in imagery and deeply reflective, present a vivid journey through various spaces and moments,
each marked by a distinct sense of place and time. The use of multiple languages and cultural references
enriches the texture of the work, creating a tapestry that is both personal and universal. Each "Effigy"
seems to encapsulate a specific memory or emotional landscape, with their corresponding locations acting as
backdrops to the internal experiences of the narrator. The juxtaposition of modern and traditional elements,
especially within the context of Tokyo and Kyoto, evokes a sense of dislocation and a search for meaning amidst
the chaos of the urban and the serene. The use of repetition, particularly in poems like "銀と金" (Silver and
Gold), adds a rhythmic, almost meditative quality to the text, drawing the reader deeper into the contemplative
atmosphere he’s created. There's a poignant contrast between the transient nature of travel and the eternal
themes of love, memory, and identity that permeate the entire collection, and the inclusion of Lombardi’s
black and white photography alongside the verses serves to anchor the reader in the physical world, even as
the poems themselves often drift into the abstract or surreal. This interplay between the tangible and the
intangible is one of the book's strengths, as it mirrors the narrator's own journey through different states
of being. Overall, the book is a rich, layered work that invites multiple readings to fully appreciate its
nuances and depth."
- Seraphina Cross, Vanguard Ink.
"In the third act of this harrowing yet profoundly moving collection, Lombardi confronts the
cataclysmic legacy of Hiroshima with a raw and unflinching lens. Through the evocative poems "世界の動き"
(The Motions of the World) and "卵" (Eggs), the poet delves into the depths of historical trauma,
exploring themes of guilt, destruction, and the haunting echoes of atrocity. "世界の動き" (The Motions
of the World) takes the reader on an emotional pilgrimage to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial, where the
poet grapples with the weight of inherited sin and the impossible burden of reconciliation. The vivid
imagery and introspective narrative render a stark contrast between the atrocities of the past and the
serene beauty of the rebuilt city, evoking a deep sense of sorrow and penitence. In "卵" (Eggs), Lombardi
paints a nightmarish portrait of the immediate aftermath of the atomic bomb, capturing the chaotic horrors
and visceral devastation with brutal honesty. The poem’s stark, almost surreal depiction of obliterated
lives and shattered innocence leaves an indelible mark, forcing readers to confront the unimaginable human
cost of warfare. Together, these poems offer a poignant and unvarnished exploration of humanity's darkest
hours, challenging readers to reflect on the irreversible consequences of violence and the enduring scars
it leaves behind. Lombardi’s powerful verse not only serves as a memorial to the past but also as a
cautionary tale for the future, making this collection an essential and unforgettable experience."
- Yumi Nakamura, The Rising Sun.
