The Sweet Nothings

Prepare to enter a world where pop culture collides with mental health, and devils named Anger and Apathy whisper sweet nothings in the author’s ears. "The Sweet Nothings," the debut poetry collection by Max Kenkel, is a genre-bending exploration of life's absurdities, anxieties, and the occasional glimmer of hope, rendered through the lens of a small-town boy who fell in love with punk rock, and illustrated with AI-generated art.

Kenkel, who’s also the bass player in the band Hold For Swank and an Instagram poetry veteran (@yesterdayinpoetry), takes readers on a rollercoaster ride through his internal landscape. Anger and Apathy, his personal devils, become mischievous characters, providing a darkly humorous commentary on everything from existential dread to the mundane annoyances of daily life.

But amidst the chaos, Kenkel's words strike a raw nerve. He delves into the struggles of navigating mental health, the disillusionment with societal norms, and the constant search for meaning in a world that often feels nonsensical. His poems are relatable, honest, and laced with a sardonic wit that will make you understand and question everything in equal measure.

What truly sets "The Sweet Nothings" apart is its unique visual element. Kenkel, embracing the uncertainties of the pandemic, turned to AI art tools to bring his poems to life. By feeding his words into algorithms, he allowed the machines to interpret them, creating an often surreal and ever-changing visual landscape that complements and challenges the written text.

"I wanted the art to be as unpredictable as the emotions in the poems," explains Kenkel. "While I had a general idea in mind, letting the AI take the reins was a way of surrendering control and seeing what would emerge. It's a bit like staring into the void, except the void is pretty good at drawing pictures."

The result is a visually stunning and thought-provoking experience that pushes the boundaries of both poetry and art. "The Sweet Nothings" is a must-read for anyone who's ever felt lost, angry, or simply curious about the inner workings of a creative mind grappling with the absurdities of the world.

"The Sweet Nothings" is available now in print and e-book formats on Amazon. To purchase the book:

Full color: https://tinyurl.com/Sweetnothingscolor

Black & White (a little cheaper): https://tinyurl.com/tsnblackandwhite

Check out more of Max’s poetry on Instagram by following @yesterdayinpoetry