a chronology of blood: poems

by Teo Shannon

Debut collection of poetry with an unflinching look at issues in the author's life including themes of sexual abuse, gun violence, and conversion therapy - key audiences trauma survivors, the LGBTQ+ community, and poetry lovers.

A stunning debut collection by a gifted poet, a chronology of blood explores major traumas in the author’s life. Autobiographical in nature, the book is broken into three sections that each deal with a trauma the author has endured, and it explores a range of themes including gun violence, conversion therapy, misuse of drugs, addiction, and domestic violence. But balancing the anger, harm, and pain is above all Shannon is a survivor, learning to incorporate these experiences into a life filled with healing and lived on his own terms.

Genres: Poetry

104 pages, Paperback

Published September 2, 2025

Reviews

[ren ౨ৎ (rozanov's version) · Rating 4 out of 5]

⁀➷ 4.25 ★ ´ˎ˗

a haunting compilation of poems about generational trauma, abuse, and mental illness. each addition felt raw and vulnerable.

some of my favourites included: sex after conversion therapy, touch-starved, neck-steering, and speculations about anger.

[Jessica Poli · Rating 5 out of 5]

From “Interview with a Glacier”:

“I un-family the same as you:
We cleave together. Then,
we cleave apart.”

A beautiful and carefully crafted collection full of anger and tenderness, with form emerging as a method of meditating on trauma, survival, the body, and pain.

[Sophie]

"I wrote poems with knives, and so many dreams have knives."

dnf @ 43%

Poetry is very hit or miss for me, and unfortunately this one was a miss.

I let myself get drawn in by the exquisite cover and title, but the author‘s style of poetry is too modern and experimental for me. I prefer more oldschool-esque poetry with a clearly discernible rhythm and message, personally. This had too much of that universally mocked (and for good reason) style that simply splits sentences up in random intervals to appear artsy and unique.

[Erin Schmiel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a deeply personal, gripping collection of poetry. Shannon lays it all bare: generational trauma, family secrets and pain. I couldn't put it down. This collection draws you in and makes you listen and you feel the poet's anger. Highly recommned.

[Laura Passin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A harrowing and heartfelt book of poems.

[Chloe N. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gorgeous collection of poems. Sometimes brutal, sometimes delicate, always gripping and heartfelt.