Inked In Verse

Exploring the Shadows: A Review of In the Grey by Ryan Davis

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Poetry has the power to illuminate the darkest corners of our minds, weaving emotion into verse that lingers long after the final line. In his debut collection, In the Grey, Ryan Davis steps fearlessly into that twilight space between light and shadow, crafting a deeply personal exploration of love, loss, mental health, and the haunting beauty of existence.

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Drawing inspiration from literary giants like Whitman, Poe, and Cummings, Davis delivers a collection that is both raw and reflective, embracing the complexities of human experience. His words settle like whispers in the dark, each poem inviting readers into a world both familiar and eerily introspective.

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In this review, I delve into the heart of In the Grey, exploring its themes, structure, and standout pieces that capture the essence of Davis’s poetic voice.

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At 174 pages, In the Grey, is a solid collection where the reader is able to lose themselves in the voice of the poet.  While deeply poetic and emotion, it is still easy to read in terms of layout and font, size, spacing etc.  It is also very hard to put down when you start.  I look forward to the follow up book, due March 2025, New Jersey Vagrant.  

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I have read the book in its entirety but have picked out a few random poems to delve into a little deeper, but you will have to buy the book to read the poems. 

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Dark Visions

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This poem sets the tone for the collection, immediately pulling the reader into the allure and comfort of darkness. There’s a contrast between how darkness obscures and blurs, yet also soothes and simplifies. The poet isn’t afraid of the dark; instead, he embraces it, finding beauty in the way it mutes reality and hides what light often exposes.

• The use of imagery is striking, especially lines like:
  "All we see an impressionistic vision"

  • It evokes a dreamlike, surreal landscape, reminiscent of a Monet painting where clarity is intentionally softened.

• There’s an underlying comfort in solitude, which makes the piece feel almost meditative.

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Standing at the End

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This piece takes on mortality and acceptance, a theme that can easily become cliché but is handled delicately here.

• The poem does not fear death, but rather treats it as a moment of serenity:
  "Find solace in the finite"

• The line "That electric tingle that makes your hair stand" is an exceptional way to describe the body’s last sensations—a perfect blend of scientific realism and poetic expression.

• The final lines carry a gentle surrender, reinforcing a peaceful end rather than a tragic one.

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This Love

 

Unlike the previous two, This Love shifts into an uplifting tone, offering an ethereal, boundless portrayal of love.

• The romanticism is heightened by its connection to nature ("light drips through grey scale clouds") and timelessness ("love as if these perfect days are not days")

• The idea that love is both soothing and terrifying is beautifully juxtaposed in these two lines "This love soothes and comforts, This love excites and scares.

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Her Perfect Moment

 

Here, the poem leans into sensory and physical intimacy, blending spirituality with bodily connection.

• "Beads of sweat glittering against alabaster white" — evocative of classical statues, emphasizing a delicate purity.

• There’s a transformation from physical to cosmic, suggesting the poet sees their lover as something transcendent.

• The final line "Here in this framed boundary constructed" makes the love feel both eternal and fleeting, as if it exists only in the moment it is lived.

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My Truth for the Moment

 

This one is deeply introspective, questioning identity, past choices, and emotional vulnerability.

• "Beheld the wonders and beauties / These ears have heard the siren song" feels like a confession, as if the poet has lived too much and felt too deeply.

• The closing lines "Hidden in the fog that holds back the light" return to the theme of darkness as both a refuge and an enigma.

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People in My World

 

This poem reads like a social critique, observing the world from an almost detached perspective.

• The phrase "I decide who is worthy / I know who is happy and why" suggests a God-like or omniscient narrator, though it quickly shifts to admitting the folly of judgment.

• The final line "Until they say hello" is a simple yet powerful realization—human connection shatters assumptions.

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Mary

 

Perhaps one of the most personal and emotionally raw pieces in the selection.

• The speaker’s grandmother is immortalized as a “holder of secrets” and a “maker.”

• The final line, "And I miss her", is simple yet devastating. The brevity makes it all the more effective.

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Self-Destruction

 

Perhaps the most haunting poem of the selection.

• The speaker describes a tortured soul, marked by trauma and emotional scars.

• The most chilling line: "He built faces and armor and weapons for his own destruction." — a metaphor for self-sabotage and the burdens people carry.

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Final Verdict

 

Ryan Davis’ In the Grey is a deeply intimate, introspective collection, blending themes of love, loss, mortality, and self-discovery. His influences—Poe, Whitman, and Cummings—are evident in his style, which fluctuates between flowing romanticism and stark existential musings.

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What Stands Out

 

Strong thematic consistency – The book maintains a cohesive mood, feeling almost like a poetic diary of the soul.
Vivid imagery – Davis is at his best when painting cinematic moments.
Blend of traditional & modern styles – There’s an old-world melancholy infused with contemporary introspection.

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Who Should Read It?

Fans of Poe’s dark romanticism.

Readers who enjoy personal, emotionally raw poetry.

Those who appreciate poetry about mental health, love, and human connection.​

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Rating:  5/5

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A compelling debut that lingers in the mind like a half-remembered dream.