How does one's spirit continue living when another dream dies? The answer to this question is central to Plight of an American Poet by Patrick Barry. This intriguing book presents how Patrick lived through his darkest moments and rose like a phoenix from the ashes of the past. Throughout five distinctly different chapters, each poem takes the reader through various stages of life, death, grief, love, faith, friendship, and betrayal. Patrick breathes new life into modern poetry, encouraging the reader to perceive poetry as a respected and valuable element of the human condition. He demonstrates how writing poetry has been therapeutic throughout his life yet extends the hopeful expectation that some comfort may be found in his verses for each reader who picks up this book. Despite how unsettling, disturbing, or controversial the content of many poems is, this inspiring collection serves as a grand invitation to find an authentic, shared connection with our collective humanity, no matter how differently we have lived, loved, rejoiced, or suffered. Patrick urges us not to allow our darkest moments to make us forget that there is always warmth and light on the other side of our suffering. Come. Gather your ashes and prepare to take flight through the power of poetry.