I came to be free
Poems on grief, love, and renewal · PJ Starling
Finding a passage…
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The poems
All nine, in full. Tap any stanza to make a card of it.
And when you are questioned
You always insist
Your right to choose death
To slaughter like this
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The book
Using original metaphor and lyrical language, PJ Starling examines the deepest sorrows and the greatest triumphs of the human experience — the struggle to forgive oneself for past wrongs, the search for hope amidst the chaos of the modern world, and the desire for true intimacy.
Nine poems. 42 pages. These heartfelt verses invite readers into a space where they are seen and free to feel without judgment.
Buying direct from FriesenPress supports a Canadian author most. ISBN 978-1-03-837224-6 (paperback) · 978-1-03-837225-3 (hardcover) · 978-1-03-837226-0 (eBook)
About PJ Starling
PJ Starling lives in Vancouver, BC, with his nine-year-old son. I came to be free is his second book of poetry. His poem “Where light never goes” was featured by The Art of Autism, an organization that showcases the creative abilities of neurodivergent individuals.
For him, writing poetry is a form of therapy that has helped him through periods of change in his life. He hopes his poems will do the same for his readers.
Contact PJ Starling: readings@starlingpoetry.xyz
Author photograph by Marshal Chupa
Invite me to read
Libraries, bookstores, reading series, classes, book clubs. I'd like to come.
- Vancouver and the Lower Mainland — in person, gladly.
- Anywhere at all — online, by video. Book clubs and classes welcome.
- Elsewhere in BC or Canada — if travel is covered.
There's no fee to have me. An honorarium is welcome if you have one, and entirely optional if you don't.
I don't pay to appear. Any “invitation” that asks me for a placement, promotion, or booking fee is a scam — there's a lot of it about, impersonating real festivals. Genuine hosts never charge the poet.
This form is handled by Web3Forms and emailed to me. I don't use your details for anything else. If the form won't play, write to readings@starlingpoetry.xyz.