In his third collection of poems, C.R. Reardon delves into his past with his most raw works yet. As he writes in the book’s opening poem ‘Transference’: “Here I am/Bleeding on the page.” The book’s title—a reference to the author’s actual day of birth in 1986—is an indication of the dark places these poems reflect upon. However, that is no to say this collection does not have works of levity like ‘A Hear Attack is Necessary to Live’, charming texts like ‘The Great Bobo’, or pieces that are empowering like ‘Stay Broken’. From the author’s childhood brain tumor, to his subsequent disability, to his lack of romantic relationships, to his embrace of the so-called “darkness” of his life, Born on Friday the 13th is bound to take its readers on an emotional journey.