Now I Am Different: Unabridged by Thomas Kudla is a stunning collection of poems and reflections on a wide range of topics, experiences, and beliefs, including change, self-awareness, spirituality, love, and what it feels like to be human and authentic. Kudla’s poetry is thoughtful, intentional, and crafted to help readers understand the place of transformation in life. It is exuberant and inspiring. Common themes are explored, such as identity, the importance of love and kindness, the acceptance of imperfections, and the ongoing journey toward self-discovery and inner peace. The poems are arranged like thoughts for each day, short, pithy, and at times, snappy and filled with insights that make you think about life.

Thomas Kudla impressed me with the compelling imagery; it is evocative, often using symbolism to deepen the literary appreciation. For example, he writes, “blue balloon bursting, cherry blossom blooming,” which symbolizes fleeting beauty and renewal. The recurring motif of day-by-day reflections creates a sense of ongoing process, symbolic of the evolution of life depicted in the collection as unfolding one day at a time, one thought at a time. Literary devices such as metaphor, personification, and contrast are prevalent, as seen in lines like “The invisible hand knits with heartstrings to keep us warm,” which suggests that unseen forces or love hold us together in mysterious ways. Now I Am Different is composed in an introspective voice and celebrates moments of love, acceptance, and kindness. This book was a treasure trove for me, and the thoughtful poems encouraged me to embrace my own path and celebrate the different shades of life.

Now I Am Different by Thom Kudla is a poetry collection that enthralled me with its themes of human identity, the beauty of human transformation, the delights of love, and spiritual awakening, and its stylistic rhythms. The structure feels like thoughts designed to unfold each day, a reflection on unique and different experiences of life. You will experience bursts of joy, streams of melancholy, the elation of renewed purpose, meditations on personality, change, and growth. The author seamlessly blends personal anecdotes with philosophical thoughts, releasing emotions in concise lines and one-sentence poems that are imbued with deeper meaning. I loved how the author explored selfhood, humanity, and authenticity.

Now I Am Different offers readers a candid voice and a conversational tone, and there are moments when you feel you are listening to someone speaking half to themselves. The use of accessible language paired with vivid imagery, such as in “The Grace of Forgetful Ghosts” or “The Invisible Hand Knits with Heartstrings,” creates an intimate atmosphere that makes you reflect on the themes or the experience depicted. Kudla's ability to blend humility with profound insight, as seen in poems like “The Art of Living” and “The End Was Near and Near Was Here,” reinforces his style, which is rooted in authenticity and existential curiosity. This is a lovely collection with beauty that will appeal to anyone. The fast rhythms, the imagery, and varied themes are elements that make this collection unique. Thom Kudla's thoughtful poetry should be read with the heart.