Reasons for Living: Poems and Lyrics 2019-2025
By Mike Scarpiello
A deeply personal and unflinchingly honest collection of poetry and lyrics that explores the raw beauty of human experience through loss, resilience, and hope.
About This Collection
Reasons for Living is a powerful anthology spanning six years of creative expression, offering readers an intimate journey through the complexities of modern life. Mike Scarpiello crafts verses that resonate with universal themes while maintaining a distinctly personal voice that speaks to anyone who has faced adversity and found reasons to keep going.
What You'll Find Inside
Profound Reflections on Family and Loss
From Italian immigrant grandfathers to the ongoing opioid crisis, Scarpiello doesn't shy away from difficult truths about family, mortality, and the connections that define us.
Vivid Travel and Adventure Narratives
Experience the adrenaline of running with bulls in Pamplona, the challenge of climbing Mount Rainier, and the quiet moments that make travel transformative.
Urban Life and Social Commentary
Honest portrayals of city living, from the precious pre-dawn hours on a high-rise porch to the harsh realities of life "South of North Avenue."
Song Lyrics That Tell Stories
Original lyrics that blend narrative storytelling with memorable refrains, exploring themes of love, loss, and new beginnings.
Moments of Beauty and Hope
Despite confronting life's difficulties, the collection celebrates simple pleasures: fireflies on summer nights, morning coffee, the comfort of companionship.
Why This Book Matters
In an era of polished social media presentations, Reasons for Living offers something increasingly rare: authentic vulnerability. Scarpiello's work acknowledges that life includes both profound sorrow and unexpected joy, often in the same breath. His poems don't offer easy answers but instead provide companionship for readers navigating their own complex journeys.
The collection's title piece reminds us that reasons for living can be found in the smallest moments—from the way light catches in someone's hair to the sound of rain washing away our troubles.
Perfect For
- → Readers seeking authentic, contemporary poetry
- → Anyone dealing with loss, family challenges, or life transitions
- → Fans of confessional poetry and personal narrative
- → Music lovers who appreciate lyrical storytelling
- → Those who find beauty in life's imperfect moments
About the Poet
Mike Scarpiello is a UX designer, researcher, and mentor turned guitar tech. He's also a writer, craft beer enthusiast, and musician. He lives with his wife and two dogs in the American Midwest.