Divided into three parts, Thom Kudla’s Disorder lets readers explore the complexity of mental illness. The thoughts resonate through narrative and unconventional typography art. In Part I: Clinical, The Photosynthesis of My Family Tree and I Am the Moon’s Son are not easy to read, literally. On the other hand, I realize that all the typographies in this collection are visually symbolic. Kudla ponders on role models, the saints and the sinners. Eclectic, well-known names such as Tolstoy, Hemingway, and even Cobain become subjects to his musing in terms of emotion and vulnerability. Then there’s the Eve Within, a blunt confession on gender dysphoria. 

In Part II: Personal, The Presence of Mind charted life as he aged through the years until the present, briefly recounting his paramount view of each year, what he did, and what he went through. Earthly Prison is the one that I think most people can relate to, as life itself can feel like an unbearable cage at times. The last part is Social, where Finding Love is another universal poem that all believers, dreamers, thinkers, and lovers can connect with.

On the whole, Disorder has a nonchalant approach regarding clean technicality in terms of free verse or stanzas which strangely propel some of the poems forward, while others feels a bit abstract, glib or hazy. There’s an intangible fixation on a number of the poems that I personally couldn’t figure out. That said, the collection is undeniably passionate, intriguing, and a unique masterstroke of Kudla－his ingenuity of expression.

Disorder by Thom Kudla is a compelling, unconventional collection that combines poetry, visual experimentation, and interior monologue into a single work focused on identity, perception, and the various struggles that shape a person’s inner life. Divided into three sections, Clinical, Social, and Spiritual, the book explores shifting mental states with honesty and creative energy. The Clinical section introduces readers to speakers navigating fractured thoughts and altered realities. The Social section broadens the perspective, layering themes of connection, expectation, and interpersonal tension. Pieces like “Asleep in Wool Over Eyes” and “Finding Love” unfold with quieter introspection, illustrating how tenderness and confusion coexist. Kudla’s writing often shifts between simple reflection and surreal imagery. The final section, Spiritual, concludes the collection with reflections on purpose, belief, and transcendence. Poems like “Dying to Meet You” present the divine as an intimate encounter rather than a distant abstraction. “Secret Shame” and “Vincent in a Straitjacket” acknowledge stigma but maintain an underlying sense of striving.

Thom Kudla’s work in Disorder most closely recalls the experimentation of E.E. Cummings, whose influence can be felt in the visual structure of poems that loop, spiral, or scatter across the page. That same willingness to let form express emotion connects naturally to Allen Ginsberg, especially in the long, breathless surges of language that mirror stream-of-consciousness thinking and spiritual questioning. Kudla’s psychological depth creates a style that seems familiar yet is distinctly his own. His approach in the Clinical section is inventive: words loop, spiral, circle, and scatter across the page, as seen in selections such as “Accurate Perception” and “Body Quakes, Mind on Hiatus.” Readers of literary journals such as Subnivean, Rattle, The Offing, and Sixth Finch will appreciate Kudla’s blend of experimental form and emotionally charged introspection. Those who enjoy contemporary poetry that pushes structure and voice in unexpected directions will find Disorder especially compelling.

In Disorder, Thom Kudla delves into the perspectives of people struggling with mental health issues. "The Eve Within" is a thought-provoking poem about being trapped inside your own body, unable to express yourself fully in the way you actually feel. "Words Devoid of Meaning" is a stream-of-consciousness-style piece that highlights the random stream of thoughts plaguing the mind of a person suffering from mental health issues. "One Verse" propagates the idea that if all humans knew the greatest song by heart, it would set humanity free from all the ills of the world. "Finding Love" is written from the perspective of a dreamer who seeks love. In "There Must Be A Better Way," the narrator reveals their desire to break free of the rigid monotony of everyday life.

As with his other poetry books, Thom Kudla sheds light on some key social issues in this collection. Disorder is thematically rich, yet it still feels very much personal in a way that will resonate with many poetry lovers. One of the things I like about Kudla's poetry style is how many of his poems can be interpreted in relation to the reader's own personal experiences. It makes his poetry accessible to a wide range of readers. One of the other highlights of this collection is that many of the poems and writing pieces are presented in the form of different designs. They are not only aesthetically pleasing to the eye but also add their own unique flavor to the entire collection. If you enjoy observational poetry laced with humor and heart, I highly recommend this book.