The Island Never Burned So Bright is a poetic memoir of one twentysomething Staten Islander's thoughts, observations, and struggles in a post-9/11, post-Hurricane Sandy world. This collection of "broken hymns" brilliantly captures the strange ability that hope and faith have to grow in the most unexpected places, while still giving plenty of space to skepticism and anger.
There's nothing like poetry to get at the heart of unsayable things, and Jonathan D. Pigno's poems shine a light on tragedy and everyday life in a way that connects the outer world with the inner self. Lacking pretense and resonating with heartfelt honesty, these poems, interspersed with bits of prose, craft a unique window through which we can see both the larger world and humanity as a whole, as well as the very specific location of Staten Island and one man who embodies it all-the poet himself.
An off-the-beaten-path spiritual journey, an authentic assessment of love and loss, and a vulnerable account of what it is to pursue a dream, this collection is alight with questions and insights that will be sure to resonate with a wide variety of readers.
About the Author: Jonathan D. Pigno is a writer hailing from Staten Island, New York. An alumnus of Wagner College and Monsignor Farrell High School, his work has appeared in numerous publications, including Five 2 One magazine, Vine Leaves Literary Journal, Asbury Pulp, and 365 Tomorrows. His writing has also been featured in local periodicals such as SI View, Taste Magazine, and the Staten Island Advance.
On any given day, Pigno splits his time between writing and enjoying his other favorite pastimes: movies, comic books, video games, and various other literary or pop-culture media. Find out more about what he's currently working on at www.jonathanpigno.com.
