Happy (first ever!) National Dark Poetry Day! HWA Poetry Showcase founder Peter Adam Salomon has created a day to celebrate Edgar Allan Poe (who died this day 169 years ago) and horror poetry. He says, “In dark poetry we share in the ancient knowledge that the darkest of poetry shines a light on the greatest truth.” The talented Cat Scully has done artwork for the occasion, to the right, and is even selling T-shirts. I don’t have to tell y’all how much I love Poe, horror, or poetry; you know this is right up my alley. (Check my t-shirt in the video!)
So today, to celebrate this brand new holiday, I’m sharing a reading of one of my own dark poems. (This comes as a very belated answer to a request for this poem–sorry Ashley!) As mention below, my Spoon River poem “Light and Liquor” was in the first volume of the HWA Poetry Showcase. It was also just recently reprinted in Apex Publications’ Undead: A Poetry Anthology of Ghouls, Ghosts, and More. (The text of the poem is under the video in case you’d like to read and/or read along.)
Light and Liquor
By the time I’d make it to the mine,
well before the sun rose every morning,
I was tired and thirsty.
I worked all day like the devil sat
right here on my shoulder,
and sunlight was gone by the time
I came out of that Hell.
I used to tell my wife, “Honey,
when I die, don’t bury me.
Place me above ground
so I can finally see the light.”
I thought she knew I meant it.
By the time I’d get home each night,
the only thing that could cut
the film of mine-water from my tongue
was a sharp, cold quaff of liquor.
After two or three, I’d lean back,
cross my coal-stained hands on my belly,
and say, “Honey, when I die,
stash a little bottle in there with me,
won’t you?” I thought she knew
I wasn’t kidding.
Lungs and liver failed at once,
put me out of my misery…
but now I’m down here in this hole,
alone, buried in darkness—
just like when I was alive—
and the wood sags with moisture
and things worm through damp dirt
and water drips on my shriveled skin,
and damn, but I’m thirsty.
If you’re interested in some more dark poetry to celebrate the day (or the month… or any time, really)? The Horror Writers Association has released its’ fifth annual volume of the Poetry Showcase in time for Halloween! It debuted as the #1 New Release in Poetry Anthologies, and is still sitting in the top 10. I’m so honored to be included in this for the fifth year running, this time with my poem “Thirst.” The opening line of my poem: “I want thirst.”
OR you can enter Books Brew Boo as many times as possible to increase your odds… and encourage all of your friends to enter to increase the odds that I’ll add an extra prize… and cross your fingers tight in hopes that the giveaway takes off and you win the bonus prize. 😉
Speaking of the giveaway taking off: I need your help! I want to share my scary books (trick) and a Starbucks giftcard (treat)—but I need you to enter! Everyone is welcome! All you have to do is share the giveaway or ANY of my content (blogs, poems, stories—whatever you like!) on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram using the hashtag #BooksBrewBoo–and/or comment on any of my blog posts this month (including this one). That’s it! Comment and share. (For fine details, check out the rules.) The more you share, the more likely you are to win. And the more people you get to share, the more likely it is that I’ll add in an extra prize—and the more likely you are to win! So share away, and spread the love of scary books.
Happy National Dark Poetry Day, my little goblins and spooklings!
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