Marching with a Broken Shadow by Dyson Russell

A haunting and heavy anthology of emotionally driven poems, Marching with a Broken Shadow by Dyson Russell is a wide-ranging collection that tackles romantic ironies, universal agonies, and the simple pleasures of existence.

From reflections on nature’s nuanced beauty to kaleidoscopic analyses of true love and loss, these poems are unafraid to expose the unadulterated marrow of human experience. There is an exploratory and questioning undercurrent, and while musings on death, purpose, and love are common, Russell has a uniquely experimental voice that will make readers sit up and take note.

The diversity of the poems’ subject matter, length, tone, and confidence keeps the reading experience dynamic, making it easy to read dozens of pieces in a single sitting, unveiling the poet’s throughline of thought between each poem. Standout pieces include “Oh, the People, Now I Know the People,” “Sunny Days,” and “HIM,” along with many others that strike a memorable chord between nostalgic longing and authentic self-reflection.

There are occasional uses of slant rhyme, which can compromise the poetic potential of certain lines. While some poets shake off that criticism in support of linguistic freedom, there is a tendency to dip in and out of rhyme schemes, sometimes staying loyal for most of a poem, but occasionally popping sporadic rhyme patterns in when convenient.

While these slips can occasionally interrupt the mood of a particular poem, Russell generally reveals a consistent, critical, and deeply creative mind, resulting in a powerful and relatably personal collection of verse.