The Difference Now [Paperback]

Cherie Burbach (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 2004

The Difference Now speaks of the struggle for self-acceptance and the ability to let go of the past. Ultimately, it is about learning to make one's own definitions instead of fitting into someone else's idea of what's acceptable.

The Difference Now is about gaining the perspective that will allow you to look back over your life with contentment instead of regret. It's about overcoming all the thoughts and emotions you never thought you would, embracing independence, and realizing finally you are more than just the product of a turbulent childhood or a certain amount of success and failure.

Despite its personal nature, The Difference Now is the embodiment of universal struggles, emotions, and fears. The poetry is honest and spiritual, and the words stay with you as you continue on your own life's journey.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Reviewed by Linda Benninghoff for Reader Views (3/06)

The Difference Now by Cherie Burbach uses straightforward language and the rhythms of ordinary speech to convey its message in poems that are both powerful and accessible. This book of poetry's theme seems to be personal growth, a turning away from a childhood that may have been deprived and from boyfriends who reinforced a negative self-image. The poet forges a new, more confident identity. She develops the ability to talk back and fight back. She will express feelings rather than suppress them. She sees through the negative messages that were conveyed to her--she no longer internalizes them.

The first poem, which is also the title poem, announces the books message clearly.

The difference now
is when pushed
I push back.

The difference now
is when I'm hurt
I'll cry
openly
unashamed.
Why should I hide it?
Or pretend that I don't care?
You knew you hurt me.
My pretending only helped you,
not me.

In these poems little extraneous imagery intrudes, but taken together their rhymes, rhythms, and the placement of words on the page build up a music of justified anger and sometimes harsh discoveries and independence. The poet will no longer be put down. The line breaks are carefully done and enhance the meaning of the poems.

As the book goes on, its theme expands to include more than just a message of self-actualization. A poem about an unnamed woman who is probably the poet's grandmother reveals depth of feeling.

--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: iUniverse (February 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0595308600
• ISBN-13: 978-0595308606
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.3 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,106,490 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Cherie Burbach writes about friendship, dating, family, and relationships at About.com (NY Times) and Life Goes Strong (NBC/Universal). She has penned eleven books and ebooks, including Internet Dating Is Not Like Ordering a Pizza and 21 Ways to Promote Your Book on Twitter. She has also published over 500 articles on the subjects of health, sports, and lifestyle. For more info, visit her website, http://www.cherieburbach.com.

Readers have resonated with Cherie's honest and inspirational "This I Believe" essay, which is the second-most popular out of over 50,000 entries on the NPR website.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Review by a mom and daughter, October 22, 2004

By 

CeeleyDee - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Difference Now (Paperback)

This is a beautiful first book by Cherie Burbach. It's heartfelt and honest, and reminds us to forge on when we are faced with grief, failure, and lost love. I found the overall message inspiring, and particularly liked the spiritual "With Every Breath."

It is obvious this book is a collection from a turning point in the author's life. Rather than coming off bleak or whiny, she provides an underlying powerful message that I found quite comforting.

I especially liked the poem "Read the Label" and could easily picture the story it told. I gave this book to both my daughter and my mother and they both found poems they drew meaning from as well.

15 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful poetry book, October 22, 2004

By 

Read This - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Difference Now (Paperback)

While I am not usually a fan of poetry (who is?) this book makes me want to pay a bit more attention to poetry from now on. I found myself reading some of these poems several times, especially the title entry of "The Difference Now". It reminds me of myself at times when suddenly I have to take time out of my busy life to claim it over once again. Women especially will be able to relate.

19 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Heartfelt and Brave, October 19, 2004

By 

Michele Cozzens "www.michelecozzens.com" (Cloud 8) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Difference Now (Paperback)

I read this book on a plane yesterday. It was a twenty-minute flight, and I completed it well before the wheels hit the ground. Even so, I read some of these wonderful and heartfelt poems more than once.

My favorite is the title poem, The Difference Now. It's bold and wise and champions maturity. I also liked If Life Were A Book, suggesting we do have the power to write our own life story. Yes, I agree that we do.

The most powerful and gripping section of the book consists of poems that focus on the author's late father, who I assume, committed suicide. The pain of the child left behind is apparent, but the sense of recovery is even more apparent. Your Life, My Lesson is especially well done. The weakest area, however, is a series of poems that come across as the revenge of a thwarted woman in an ill-fated love affair. The essence of yearning is, like one reviewer has indicated, reminiscent of a high school diary. I prefer the greater majority of poems that champion wisdom and breakthrough.

I think this book of primarily free verse poetry would make a great gift for a grieving friend. It follows a healing path and I enjoyed it very much.

From the author of I'm Living Your Dream Life and The Things I Wish I'd Said, McKenna Publishing Group.