John Petrolino

Congo Lights John Petrolino 1st edition

"Congo Lights" is a collection dedicated to looking at a cross section of America and American ideals, mortality, morality, social dichotomy, current social zeitgeists and the juxtaposition of religion and sexuality. The book has been in progress since 2008. The title poem "Congo Lights" is based on what Petrolino experienced on a sea voyage off the coast Africa in 2008. "We take and we take," a line from "Congo Lights" explains some of the book's themes...

"In this world, no matter what, we are going to have the under dog and those who are fortunate. There are always going to be people taking advantage of another culture or the Earth. What is paramount though, is to keep focused on what is important. Keeping yourself aware, living life to its fullest potential, being grateful for what you have and also not buying into the social hypnosis of what we are supposed to have and supposed to buy in order to be happy. We, as a people, must be free thinkers not sheep..." Petrolino explains some of his message.

"Congo Lights" is a trip through some of Petrolino's observations and views and builds further on the themes of change, love and introspection that he set forth in "Galleria."