The Light of Civil Day

The Light of Civil Day by Robert Breen

From the perilous, smoke-filled challenges of Boston’s firehouses to the transcendent realm of poetry, The Light of Civil Day is a testament to resilience, memory, and the transformative power of art.

From Firehouse to Verse

From the smoke-filled corridors of Boston’s firehouses to the luminous realm of poetry, Robert Breen’s latest collection captures the transformative power of art. Born and raised in Boston, Breen spent decades battling fires before embracing his passion for writing—a journey that imbues his work with raw authenticity and heartfelt emotion. His celebrated poem “The Eighth Circle,” first published in The Harvard Summer Review, is a testament to his craft, further recognized by honors from the Key West Poets & Writers, the Joy of the Pen competition, and the Margaret F. Tripp Poetry Award. With additional works like “Deception Island” and “The Boy Who Jumped from the Night Sky” enriching his repertoire, Breen’s poetry also carries the poignant legacy of his past: his firefighting helmet, memorialized by Seamus Heaney in District and Circles, serves as a powerful symbol of heroism and resilience. Now residing in Brunswick, Maine, Robert Breen invites you to explore a collection where memory, sacrifice, and the spark of creative renewal converge—illuminating the enduring spirit of those who dare to transform life’s trials into art.