EAST LONGMEADOW – Vincent Magnani is a 19-year-old lifelong resident of East Longmeadow who had his first poem published at the age of 13.

Magnani recently released his third collection of poems, “Him: The Hardest Journey,” which chronicles the poet’s battle to overcome depression.

Magnani told Reminder Publications his AuthorHouse published book of poems focuses on a journey to find self-confidence and love.

“I once lived in my own world – an illusion some will say. The voices in my head kept on telling me wrong. I never knew how people reacted; never knew how to be around others. But my life as of today made me who I am today – stronger, wiser, and confident,” Magnani said, reciting his poem, “Today.”

Magnani said he’s a self-taught poet and gained his love for poetry from his grandmother.

His first book of poems is called “Freedom,” which is inspired by “The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas,” a novel that chronicles the friendship between two boys – one a concentration camp prisoner and another, the son of a German officer, during the Holocaust.

Magnani’s first 32-page collection of poems was published in 2013 and his second book of poetry, “Ambivalent” was also released that year.

He said he writes most of his poetry as an outlet for his thoughts and emotions.

“When teens or kids or even adults are feeling down, they seem to never have someone by their side,” he added. “My book shows you that in anything you go through, you can make it.”

Magnani said the book tells the story of his own life during 2015, while making it accessible to a wider audience.

“A lot of it’s overcoming stress; overcoming certain obstacles that what my age would go through at the time I was 17 and 18,” he explained. “My depression was really bad at the time … and my friend [Nick Daboul] kind of taught me how to go through certain situations as I am going through.”

One of Magnani’s biggest literary influences is 19th century poet and author Edgar Allan Poe.

“That’s where my darkness comes from,” he noted.

He added his poetry uses more modern language used in every day conversations.

Another poem that Magnani shared with Reminder Publications is called “Something.”

“Over time things get bad,” he said while reciting the poem. “We either fall or can never achieve success. But humans don’t realize that our lives change every second of the day. Some will feel relief and some will feel grief.”

Magnani said he hopes to attend Springfield Technical Community College or Holyoke Community College in the future to further study writing. He is currently working on a follow-up to “Him.”

Magnani’s published works are available for purchase on Amazon and “Him” could also be purchased at the Barnes and Noble in Hoyoke at 7 Holyoke Street.