Waking Up At The Gates is a memoir featuring poetry and short writing pieces. Thom Kudla recounts his lifelong journey of self-discovery with an engrossing poetic narrative that explores the human condition through the lens of the author's life. These poems and short essays offer some poignant truths about life, such as never letting defeat or misfortune hinder you from chasing your dreams and the benefits of persistence and perseverance. The book opens with the poem "Commitment to Contentment," in which the narrator shares his pursuit of material things in search of happiness and the lessons he learned along the way. "Untitled Heart" is a poem about unrequited love and its ramifications. The author also shares snippets from his life, including stories about his beloved dog and his bipolar episodes.

Waking Up At The Gates is an introspective look at the human experience through the author's own life. Emotionally resonant and thematically rich, Thom Kudla's powerful narrative gives you a lot to think about long after you've finished reading. This book deserves to be read over and over again. There is something affirmative about Kudla's writing that instantly takes hold of your attention and motivates you to make better choices. The poems are stimulating for both the mind and the soul. Kudla has a unique poetic flair that is both authentic and refreshing and will appeal to a broad range of poetry lovers. All in all, this is a book that celebrates the resilient spirit of humans and encourages you to learn from your mistakes on the path to transforming your life. Highly recommended!

Waking Up at the Gates: Poems of Recovery, Healing, and Transformation is a work of introspection, a search for identity, and a healing journey all in one. Thom Kudla explores his deepest emotions in a manner that will draw readers into his life, a world that is filled with a sense of emptiness, a struggle to fit in, and doubts about the future, with intermittent flashes of peace and harmony. It covers work, living, loving, writing, thinking, being, and believing. Using his experiences as an example, he questions our perceptions of ourselves, our aspirations, attitudes, and disappointments. He reflects on life, death, and the future, all the while seeking a balance between hope and despair. The result is an outpouring of feelings that encompass love, anguish, self-doubt, fear, melancholy, and loneliness. He ponders the transience of love and the risk of rejection, finding solace with his dog and in his passion for writing while building resilience.

Thom Kudla bares his innermost thoughts and insecurities in this work, in which he alludes to his struggle with mental health issues and failed attempts to have his work published. He ultimately decides to keep on writing for his peace of mind, embarking on a journey toward inner peace and renewal. The writing has an etheric quality, with wordplay, frequent changes of pace, a variety of fonts, and constantly changing formats to suit the mood. The poetry is interspersed with text in which the author shares the wisdom gained from deep reflection. He poses seven enigmatic philosophical questions to readers that will provide food for thought. Waking Up at the Gates is a poetic memoir that will strike chords with many readers who have experienced a dark night of the soul and are looking for inspiration. Despite the challenges of life, in the end, there is always hope.

Waking Up at the Gates: Poems of Recovery, Healing, & Transformation by Thom Kudla is a beautiful and deeply personal poetry collection about self-discovery and going on a healing journey. Kudla shares many struggles and victories through raw and honest verses, showing us what it means to work through pain and come out the other side. The collection touches on mental health, personal reflection, and the search for inner peace while talking about the ups and downs that come with growth. Each poem feels like a quiet conversation—sometimes heavy, sometimes hopeful, but always real. Kudla doesn’t shy away from vulnerability, and that openness makes his work incredibly powerful.

Thom Kudla has a way of putting deep emotions into simple but striking words that make every one of the poems feel intentional and meaningful. Some lines stuck with me long after I finished reading, and I found myself going back to certain poems just to sit with them a little longer. His reflections on life, healing, and self-acceptance encourage readers to think about their own journeys, making this collection feel like an important reminder that even in our darkest moments, growth is possible. My favorite verse that spoke to me personally was 'That Poet's Likely Story', which felt relatable and empowering to me. I also liked the companion pieces that gave more context and insight into the poet's thought processes. Whether you’re in the middle of your own healing process or just appreciate poetry that speaks to the heart, the work has something to comfort and inspire you. Overall, Waking Up at the Gates is a moving read that I would highly recommend for its perspective and sense of connection.