Thrift Store Metamorphosis: A Collection of Poems

In Thrift Store Metamorphosis Tony Robles astutely demonstrates the palpable currency of human interactions. His keen observations show us the necessity of reflection. In this mirror, we learn that everything and anything that we pay attention to has the capability to hold deep meaningful lessons for us and our lives. Robles makes us feel a range of emotion: sorrow, loss, love, regret, anger, rage, humor and hope. The poet reminds us with this essential collection, so goes the thrift store, so goes the world.

—Glenis Redmond, Greenville Poet Laureate and Author of The Listening Skin.

Like a medium, Robles listens to the stories screamed and whispered by his shop’s donated items, and crafts for us songs of second chances, odes to surprises, and meditations on memory. Thrift Store Metamorphosis is a gorgeous reflection on the circles and cycles that shape us.

—Meagan Lucas, author of Songbirds and Stray Dogs and Here in the Dark.

Seen through Tony’s eyes and felt through his heart; memories and stories that will open old eyes to see and feel new.

—Ronnie Pepper, storyteller and lifelong Hendersonville Resident

In this delightful thrift store world, passing interactions with customers become transformative, and cast-off objects transport us through time to the poet’s youth in San Francisco. This beautiful collection is fresh, moving, and full of deep insights into an ordinary world that Robles masterfully shapes into something extraordinary.

—Jennifer McGaha, Great Smokies Writing Program Coordinator and Author of Flat Broke With Two Goats.

With a poet’s eye for finding significance in the everyday world, Tony Robles has found the perfect crossroads to use as his viewing platform-- the thrift store. Here every item carries implications of both an end and a new beginning. We find nostalgia, love, loss, hope, and, ultimately, a guide to help us get to the deeper meanings of our lives.

—Clint McCown, author of The Dictionary of Unspellable Noises: New & Selected Poems 1975-2018.

About the Author

Tony Robles was born in San Francisco and makes his home in Hendersonville, North Carolina. He was named Carl Sandburg Writer in Residence by the Friends of Carl Sandburg in Flat Rock, North Carolina in 2020. He is the author of the poetry and short story collections, Cool Don’t Live Here No More—A letter to San Francisco and Fingerprints of a Hunger Strike, published by Ithuriel’s Spear. He was short list nominated for Poet Laureate of San Francisco in 2017 and a two-time Push Cart Prize nominee. He received his MFA in creative writing from Vermont College of Fine Arts in 2023.