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First Impression: Although blunt and brutal, the poetry collection provides an interesting read on an array of topics.

Slam Poems for my Bathroom Mirror book cover

SLAM POEMS FOR MY BATHROOM MIRROR…And Other Selected Works… is a bold collection of sixty poems, two pieces of prose and a short biography by Chris Courtney Martin. The acknowledgement at the start of the book sets the tone for what is to follow; basically, ‘I don’t give a bleep!’ And as if to hammer that point home, the first poem, (Ob)noxious Musings, rattled off a speech on how the author does not owe anyone anything.

Martin was kind enough to provide me with a copy of this book to review. I thank him for the gift of the Advanced Reader Copy because it was a sublime read. Personally, I found the style to be standout and totally refreshing given my general experience of poetry. Here follows my review…

You owe them not a thing..

Not form, nor structure, nor tone, nor homage.

Nor sense, nor reverence, nor critical delights.

Give them your ugly, because it is yours.

The poetry included in this collection is tremendously random. There are poems that speak of suicide, abortion, poverty, writing, and being in love. The diverse cocktail is unexpected but not unpleasant. However, it becomes obvious quite early on that the majority of the poems take an extremely negative outlook as they explore each topic. Martin adopts a direct, blunt manner and tells it like it is, leaving no room to get it twisted. He is definitely not one to mince his words.

I write these words with blunt force

With which to bludgeon the skulls

Of those who would lose my point

In the florid rhythm that coddles.

I speak them into existence

The way they are felt–

Personally, I appreciated the frankness, and like that it conveyed the same mood throughout. I also appreciated the wide range of topics because although poetry books are generally short, they can be burdensome if they stick to the same topics and voice beyond fifty or so pages. With his mixture of rhymes and free verse, Martin also has fun with the layout of some of the poems creating unique presentations that cause the reader to stop and take note.

The prose was an aspect of the book that I could take or leave. In some ways I felt it did not quite belong with the rest of the collection, a) because there was not enough to balance against the poems, and b) because they took a turn and delved into mental health. The stories read like a ramble. During the first, ‘Rebuke,’ I found myself wondering whether the central character was suffering some sort of psychosis. It is later confirmed in the second one that there is potentially a bi-polar diagnosis. The stories themselves appear to take place when the central character has less control over their health and is manifesting religion and spirituality.

I would recommend the poetry to lovers of the spoken word that often attend open mic nights. This particular collection will appease those that are not into stereotypical love, romance, and fluffy stuff. With the curse words, and adult topics, it is for the more mature audience that is not afraid of brutal honesty.

Quick Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ / R Rated

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