Author(s): Matthew Dickman

Poetry

At the center of Mayakovsky s Revolver is the suicide of Matthew Dickman s older brother. Known for poems of universality of feeling, expressive lyricism of reflection, and heartrending allure (Major Jackson), Dickman is a powerful poet whose new collection explores how to persevere in the wake of grief. from Mayakovsky s Revolver I keep thinking about the way blackberries will make the mouth of an eight year old look like he s a ghost that s been shot in the face. In the dark I can see my older brother walking through the tall brush of his brain. I can see him standing in the lobby of the hotel, alone, crying along with the ice machine."