A Socially Acceptable Breakdown

Patrick Roche, 2021

A poetry collection pulling from the author's personal narrative to take the reader on a journey through family, mental health, grief, pop culture, body image, queer identity, love, joy, memory, myth, and magic. The collection follows a trajectory of 1) exploring identity, avoidance, escapism, and shame, then 2) facing and confronting fears, shame, grief, and self-image, and finally 3) breaking down stigma, searching for joy, finding self-acceptance, and the value of storytelling and sharing as a tool to connect, love, and choose progress.

Awards

Praise for A Socially Acceptable Breakdown

A Socially Acceptable Breakdown is an invitation to healing the relationship between the Brain, the Body & the Being through honest self-reflection and self-forgiveness.

— FreeQuency, author of Becoming//Black

A Socially Acceptable Breakdown is a masterclass in storytelling, and a reminder that sometimes the most important victory is surviving to tell the story.

— Brandon Melendez, author of Gold That Frames the Mirror

One rarely expects to be undone by syntax, but here I am. Walloped. A Socially Acceptable Breakdown reminds us how cruel the psyche can be. And also how majestic.

— Jeanann Verlee, author of prey, Said the Manic to the Muse, and Racing Hummingbirds

Make no mistake, A Socially Acceptable Breakdown is a magic show on-page that leaves the reader in awe, it isn't just the show, it's the show-stealer you'll want a ticket to.

— Omar Holmon, author of We Were All Someone Else Yesterday