Some people use physical exercise to cope with life’s challenges. Some seek professional help. Nathan Graziano writes poetry that he hopes others will find therapeutic in dealing with guilt and anxiety, particularly those who grew up as members of the Catholic church.

In a new collection of poems titled “Born on Good Friday” “Graziano ”addresses his complicated relationships with Catholicism and guilt while staring down myriad vices and a veritable midlife crisis with a little doom, some sprinkles of gloom, and a healthy dose of good humor.”

Reading the book has been compared to “eavesdropping on a confessional.”

The poems follow the natural timeline of Graziano’s life, but he said they’re not an autobiography, as many details are changed or embellished.

He said that keeping language in his poems straightforward is really important to him, and laughed when thinking about the students he teaches at Pembroke Academy encountering classic poetry for the first time, which can seem intimidating.

Graziano teaches creative writing, journalism and college composition at Pembroke Academy, in addition to teaching writing courses for Southern New Hampshire University.

The poems touch on many life challenges that people may face such as a struggle with mental health, substance abuse, guilt, sexuality and marital problems.

“The book moves effortlessly between what we lose from our childhood dreams to the wisdom we gain as we age,” wrote author Lindsay Wilson.

Writing poetry became a personal catharsis for Graziano, who said he is no longer a part of the Catholic church, but still fully endorses the message of Jesus Christ.

In one poem called “Trying to Reach Jesus,” Graziano wrote about being given community service at his church, specifically polishing the religious statues.

“I had no way of reaching Jesus above the altar without a ladder, or a hose, or repentance for my sin,” he wrote

The book explores the journey of trying to understand guilt and anxiety that stemmed from a childhood of Catholicism.

The book wraps up by giving the reader a takeaway of focusing on hope. In the last line of the second to last poem of the book, “The Old Zip,” he writes “Wine-bombed, our wives decide they love us.”

The book is due to be released this week by Roadside Press of Illinois.

“This is a book about the pains and joys of sin and the journey to find out how to recognize the difference,” author Dave Newman wrote. “Graziano is a comedian, which is why so many of these poems are deeply felt and sting — nothing is as funny as our hardest moments, and Graziano takes all the sadness of being alive and tilts those moments into laughter.”

Graziano has a masters of fine arts in writing from UNH and writes a column Manchester Ink Link titled “Not That Profound.” For more informatio about the author and to access his other works, go to www.nathangraziano.com.

Graziano hopes readers find his latest book refreshing and honest.

“The only obligation a writer has to a reader is to tell the truth,” he said.

]]>