Review: DROPKICKromance | Cyrus Parker

This review is spoiler free.

‘let’s build
bookshelves together
and fill them
with our story.
– ours will always be my favorite.’

Published: 2018, by Andrew McMeel Publishing.
Pages: 176
Format: Paperback
Genre: Poetry, Romance
Contains: Domestic Abuse, Abuse, Mental Health, Mental Illness, Violence, Fire/Arson, Intrusive Thoughts, Depression, Anxiety

‘DROPKICKromance’ follows pro-wrestler-turned-poet, Cyrus Parker, through two significant relationships in their life. Split into two sections, the first half concentrates on a toxic, long distance relationship the author was in for several years, before moving onto the second half which discusses their current relationship with fellow poet, Amanda Lovelace.

This collection has been one of my most anticipated reads for far too long, so I was deeply excited to finally delve into it. Needless to say, I wasn’t disappointed.

This isn’t my first introduction to the work of Cyrus Parker, having read a few pieces in [Dis]Connected a little while ago, and immediately fell in love. However, this collection was something entirely new. From start to finish you’re left breathless at the words across the page, each one written with precision and raw honesty. It’s impossible not to emphathise with the themes throughout, it takes huge courage to lay out your feelings and history – never mind to publish them for the general public – yet Parker did so flawlessly.

The structure of the collection was cleverly done. Beginning in a difficult period in the author’s life, the poems are structured on the left hand side of the pages, gradually moving towards the right when finally discussing the second relationship. This visual progression of moving forward healed the wounds previously inflicted by the collection’s themes; there was development in the tale, recovery. This by no means promotes the fact that “love cures all”, recovery is not a simple uphill battle, more that it has given them the strength to fight their own demons together, which I found incredibly beautiful.

Overall, I love this collection. Cyrus Parker’s brutal honesty was deeply inspiring to read and will return to repeatedly in times of need.

5/5