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disintegration
In this heartbreaking chapbook of poems, Paul Robert Mullen charts the demise of relationships through the windows of loss. He navigates from the aching moments of realisation through the crushing introspection that follows, and into a gentle state of acceptance. These words find the delicate heart of our pain and the sensation of cracking apart that comes with losing those we love, and how we can catalogue our grief until we find a place from which we can finally let go.
36 pages, Paperback
First published June 4, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
June 25, 2020
"disintergration" (2020) is Mullen's fourth poetry collection, following "curse this blue raincoat" (2017), "testimony" (2018), and "35" (2018). It is a text that shows the writer to be working at the peak of his powers.
In terms of style, each of the collections have strong similarities. However, Mullen's acute ability to say so much with so little has never been more apparent. The individual poems, by their very nature, are both pithy and incisive and the craftsmanship displayed is truly remarkable. As a reader who has closely followed this writer's development, I can say with authority, that the writer has evolved into one of the foremost and exciting poets in the independent poetry community.
Mullen eschews the restraints of form and structure, preferring to write with total freedom. He sees the page as a tool in itself and makes intelligent use of space to breakdown his work, and in doing so makes it that much more immediate and accessible. Those readers who claim to be unable to 'get' poetry, this is the work for you.
There is a muddying of the line between the poet's own voice and experience, and that of the poet-speaker. In this way the poetry has a transient quality, and I am in awe of Mullen's capacity to find beauty in the banal. This is perhaps most apparent in "images", 'like blackbirds preparing broods in colour/ you will see yourself in teardrops/ in autumnal mists/ over russet meadows/ in spider-web-december sonowflakes'. Such elegance.
There is a common theme, centred around death and rebirth - a regular juxtaposition between gravity and hope that throws light on what it is to be alive. Consider, 'i pull out the notebooks the pen/ but the words aren't there' in contrast with, 'the next day / blossom under branches/ faces in the woods'. Such peaks and troughs are a constant throughout. While Mullen writes about the end or disintergration of one relationship, he also proffers great optimism for those yet to come.
The beauty of the chapbook, is that it provides the writer with a platform to compose a series of themed and inter-related texts. In "disintergration" Mullen has taken this form of publication to new heights. It is a superb addition to the poet's existing ouevre, that shows great development of skill and exposes a vulnerability, that was until now absent.
In terms of style, each of the collections have strong similarities. However, Mullen's acute ability to say so much with so little has never been more apparent. The individual poems, by their very nature, are both pithy and incisive and the craftsmanship displayed is truly remarkable. As a reader who has closely followed this writer's development, I can say with authority, that the writer has evolved into one of the foremost and exciting poets in the independent poetry community.
Mullen eschews the restraints of form and structure, preferring to write with total freedom. He sees the page as a tool in itself and makes intelligent use of space to breakdown his work, and in doing so makes it that much more immediate and accessible. Those readers who claim to be unable to 'get' poetry, this is the work for you.
There is a muddying of the line between the poet's own voice and experience, and that of the poet-speaker. In this way the poetry has a transient quality, and I am in awe of Mullen's capacity to find beauty in the banal. This is perhaps most apparent in "images", 'like blackbirds preparing broods in colour/ you will see yourself in teardrops/ in autumnal mists/ over russet meadows/ in spider-web-december sonowflakes'. Such elegance.
There is a common theme, centred around death and rebirth - a regular juxtaposition between gravity and hope that throws light on what it is to be alive. Consider, 'i pull out the notebooks the pen/ but the words aren't there' in contrast with, 'the next day / blossom under branches/ faces in the woods'. Such peaks and troughs are a constant throughout. While Mullen writes about the end or disintergration of one relationship, he also proffers great optimism for those yet to come.
The beauty of the chapbook, is that it provides the writer with a platform to compose a series of themed and inter-related texts. In "disintergration" Mullen has taken this form of publication to new heights. It is a superb addition to the poet's existing ouevre, that shows great development of skill and exposes a vulnerability, that was until now absent.
June 4, 2020
Mullen’s poetry follows the passing of relationships like ships bound for new horizons on the unknown sea. The end of a relationship tends to be a bleak and depressing part of life. All the happy memories are looked back upon as lies and the whole affair suddenly becomes disjointed.
There are many stages our emotions trudge through in the midst of a breakup, grief, denial, anger and acceptance are just to name a few. Mullen portrays these painful moments in his poetry with calming imagery set to nature’s soundtrack. I could hear the wind chimes gently swaying in the breeze and feel the burden of loss that Mullen carried throughout these poems. It’s relatable to read as I am sure we have all suffered the loss of a relationship. It’s tricky to put into words how it feels. But Mullen’s writing is effortless as he glides over the page from realisation of his loss all the way through to acceptance and feeling alive again. It comes naturally to him like breathing and it is intriguing to read.
The layout of the poems reflects the title of the chapbook; Disintegration. The prose are spaced apart giving the reader that absent feeling you experience with loss. It’s effective as you can go through the motions of falling apart and slowly putting yourself back to together. This technique also gives these poems that uniqueness as not only are they about disintegration but they physically embody the very meaning of the word. Genius and cleverly done.
I enjoyed Mullen’s use of imagery as he plays with nature and incorporates this in his poetry. The sounds of life happening around him and the tiny details people often miss enhance his version upon the page. Amongst the pain and suffering he concocts a calming atmosphere that absorbs the reader into these personal moments. At times it felt intrusive but you are constantly pulled back in as you are curious to how this journey will end.
I give Disintegration By Paul Robert Mullen a four out of five paw rating.
An emotional read of the grieving of relationships that will leave you disintegrated. I highly recommend this chapbook to everyone, it is appealing to all and will leave you in a state of acceptance to let go of a past you no longer live in.
There are many stages our emotions trudge through in the midst of a breakup, grief, denial, anger and acceptance are just to name a few. Mullen portrays these painful moments in his poetry with calming imagery set to nature’s soundtrack. I could hear the wind chimes gently swaying in the breeze and feel the burden of loss that Mullen carried throughout these poems. It’s relatable to read as I am sure we have all suffered the loss of a relationship. It’s tricky to put into words how it feels. But Mullen’s writing is effortless as he glides over the page from realisation of his loss all the way through to acceptance and feeling alive again. It comes naturally to him like breathing and it is intriguing to read.
The layout of the poems reflects the title of the chapbook; Disintegration. The prose are spaced apart giving the reader that absent feeling you experience with loss. It’s effective as you can go through the motions of falling apart and slowly putting yourself back to together. This technique also gives these poems that uniqueness as not only are they about disintegration but they physically embody the very meaning of the word. Genius and cleverly done.
I enjoyed Mullen’s use of imagery as he plays with nature and incorporates this in his poetry. The sounds of life happening around him and the tiny details people often miss enhance his version upon the page. Amongst the pain and suffering he concocts a calming atmosphere that absorbs the reader into these personal moments. At times it felt intrusive but you are constantly pulled back in as you are curious to how this journey will end.
I give Disintegration By Paul Robert Mullen a four out of five paw rating.
An emotional read of the grieving of relationships that will leave you disintegrated. I highly recommend this chapbook to everyone, it is appealing to all and will leave you in a state of acceptance to let go of a past you no longer live in.
July 12, 2020
"as months shift/like blackbirds preparing broods in colour/you will see yourself in teardrops," the speaker says in Paul Robert Mullen's new chapbook, disintegration.
disintegration is a dreamy, spellbinding collection of poems which are meditations on change and loss. In the poem, "after school," the speaker says, "we laughed about UFO’s at the end of class/your dad had seen one/over the moors east of the village." These first few lines are so evocative: picture a man, walking over the moors in the dark, when he looks up and sees a flying saucer. Then, cut to his child, and the speaker, in school, talking about it.
"you smiled and told me you were walking home/we stopped at the crossroads.../to pick gooseberries from farmland," the speaker says. The setting for this piece is pastoral. It's definitely giving nods to earlier poetic forms in its defined place. But the UFO definitely gives it a modern/sci fi feel that I really appreciate. If you're into this sort of thing, there's a theory that UFO sightings and fairy stories are one and the same. On top of that, the poet makes mention of the crossroads, which figures heavily into witchcraft and fairy stories. Whether or not it was intentional, this keeps the reader grounded in that sort of otherworld.
The speaker concludes by saying: "it’s because you believed me/you said when i asked you/why me/i’d never felt so alive." I think that belief is the most powerful thing in the world, far more so than love. There are two different stories that are coming together in this one piece--the father's, as well as the speaker and the "you" in the poem. It's a short piece, but there's so much that can be divined from it.
Mullens's poetry is lovely and thought-provoking. His craft is very eloquent in its simplicity. Though the book can be read in one short sitting, there is quite a lot to return to and mull over. I highly recommend this book, which is available now via Animal Heart Press.
disintegration is a dreamy, spellbinding collection of poems which are meditations on change and loss. In the poem, "after school," the speaker says, "we laughed about UFO’s at the end of class/your dad had seen one/over the moors east of the village." These first few lines are so evocative: picture a man, walking over the moors in the dark, when he looks up and sees a flying saucer. Then, cut to his child, and the speaker, in school, talking about it.
"you smiled and told me you were walking home/we stopped at the crossroads.../to pick gooseberries from farmland," the speaker says. The setting for this piece is pastoral. It's definitely giving nods to earlier poetic forms in its defined place. But the UFO definitely gives it a modern/sci fi feel that I really appreciate. If you're into this sort of thing, there's a theory that UFO sightings and fairy stories are one and the same. On top of that, the poet makes mention of the crossroads, which figures heavily into witchcraft and fairy stories. Whether or not it was intentional, this keeps the reader grounded in that sort of otherworld.
The speaker concludes by saying: "it’s because you believed me/you said when i asked you/why me/i’d never felt so alive." I think that belief is the most powerful thing in the world, far more so than love. There are two different stories that are coming together in this one piece--the father's, as well as the speaker and the "you" in the poem. It's a short piece, but there's so much that can be divined from it.
Mullens's poetry is lovely and thought-provoking. His craft is very eloquent in its simplicity. Though the book can be read in one short sitting, there is quite a lot to return to and mull over. I highly recommend this book, which is available now via Animal Heart Press.
May 28, 2020
I am honored to have been given the opportunity to read this fabulous book of poetry. Paul Walker Mullen has a way of speaking to a reader's soul with his words. He pulls you into the emotion and leaves your heart feeling understood and somehow complete again. This collection is a journey through the rocky road of relationships and how to survive their break up and come out on the other side.
Every line in this book spoke to me on a very intense level. From the opening poem to the last, I felt I was reading the words as they were being written.
“images” literally puts you in the scene with lines like “you will see yourself in teardrops in autumnal mist”
Another one of my favorites was “days” with “and she shrugged in such a way that the days became heavier than the sun”
Finally “firecrests” with its line “the slow melt of butterflies into the nakedness of shadows” These poignant words give me goosebumps every time I read them.
Mullen uses such intense descriptions in his words that I could read this book over and over again and never tire.
I would recommend this book for anyone who has loved and lost and lived to love again. Actually, I would recommend this book to everyone. I think every person will find a way to relate to these words.
Every line in this book spoke to me on a very intense level. From the opening poem to the last, I felt I was reading the words as they were being written.
“images” literally puts you in the scene with lines like “you will see yourself in teardrops in autumnal mist”
Another one of my favorites was “days” with “and she shrugged in such a way that the days became heavier than the sun”
Finally “firecrests” with its line “the slow melt of butterflies into the nakedness of shadows” These poignant words give me goosebumps every time I read them.
Mullen uses such intense descriptions in his words that I could read this book over and over again and never tire.
I would recommend this book for anyone who has loved and lost and lived to love again. Actually, I would recommend this book to everyone. I think every person will find a way to relate to these words.
June 25, 2020
Paul Robert Mullen’s disintegration explores the pain of separation, the regret, the longing; the way a relationship breakdown can shake the very foundations of one’s sense of self and direction in life, sense of hope and belief. These poems ache on the precipice of holding on/letting go. They are economical, terse in form, mirroring the instant, hammer-to-the-heart pain a break-up causes. Mullen’s sentences are broken, and words of lament are left suspended, alone as the feelings they convey. disintegration is a collection to behold—engrossing because Mullen envelopes the reader in the raw and deeply personal feelings that haunt him; he achieves this by creating a language for pain and sorrow that is uniquely his own: “the rust upon my heart strings / in A minor”.
May 28, 2020
Having read two of Paul's previous collections I was excited to learn of the launch of this chapbook. The front cover itself entices the reader in; the falling title letters, a lone figure walking by a lamppost, appearing to be surrounded by cracks but also walking through them. The opening poem sets the scene perfectly for a moving journey of reflection through images created and voices replayed... I can hear his mother's voice in the poem 'days'.
Highly recommended
Highly recommended
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June 3, 2020Just received my copy of Paul Robert Mullen latest collection of poetry, ‘disintegration’. As with some of the best of albums, this is a ‘concept’ collection of works, written by someone truly at home with pen in hand and life’s obstacles in mind. The poems are indeed sparse and sheer and you will get the books title totally. Get it! Read it! Enjoy it!
June 19, 2020
In "disintegration", Paul Robert Mullen delivers vivid, gut wrenching poetry which burrows into the half-forgotten, nostalgia tinged recesses of the reader's mind. Or at least, it did in my case. I was captivated, savouring poems which I'm sure to return to. In particular, "friday night" on page 29 features some of the most striking imagery I've seen in a poem. Brilliant.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews