Broken Nails by Susan Snyder

Broken Nails is a dark, brutal, beautiful horror poetry collection by Susan Snyder. These poems are full of vivid, disturbing imagery and evocative, flowing composition. There are so many types of pain represented here, and so many levels of them: anger and rage, the anguish of despair, the ache of longing, frustration, regret, and even physical pain. These poems reach dark fingers into your heart and mind and draw forth the thoughts and emotions you keep hidden. I was entranced. Some are best read aloud. All will touch you in some way.

The first thing I will say about Susan Snyder's Broken Nails is that it is far too short. You're reading--and often re-reading--the poems, getting drawn into the almost nightmarish world she's assembling with her words...and then it's the end. It's over. You're not ready for it to be over just yet. As painful and raw as the experience was, you sort of want to continue exploring Susan's interior. She's ripped herself open for you and left herself exposed, but then it stops. This poetry collection is separated into three sections, each with a certain overarching theme. The second section, Reflection, was my personal favorite. It was also the most horrific in a number of ways. It's sincerely a little bit painful as you allow the poet to paint you a portrait of a life that's included no small amount of suffering. This is not poetry for those who are looking for flowery nonsense. This is poetry that examines topics like murder, sexual assault, suicide, and Satanism...and if you're interested in that, dive right in.