To celebrate National Poetry Month, I’m sharing a poem a week here on my blog. (Check out “Texas Rain” if you missed last week’s!) But before I get to this week’s poem–a creepy little thing–I wanted to make sure you’ve heard about my most recent news. I’ve just had two stories come out, available for you to read now!
“What Throat,” is an eerie short story that plays with sound and mimicry, which is perfect since it was produced by Pseudopod for Artemis Rising 5, meaning you can listen to it performed by some kickass narrators! I think they did a phenomenal job bringing my story to life. I hope you’ll take time to listen on your next commute, laundry day, or long walk! (Bonus points for sitting down in the dark to really savor it!) I love that this one’s available free, too, so no ordering necessary. (Although subscriptions are how awesome publications like this survive and pay authors like me, so if you like what you hear, please do consider supporting the ‘Pod!) If audio isn’t your thing, the full text of the story is available at the link above as well; just scroll down below the show notes.
I’ve also had my longest story to date published in The Shadow Booth Volume 3! (You might remember my story “That Which Never Comes” from Volume 1, but if you missed it, it’s still available for order.) “I Am” is technically a novelette, which is French for “more story to love.” 😉 It’s a weird, literary, experimental dip into existential horror, and I’m very, very proud of it. It also has the honor of closing out the collection, which is a first for me too! You can order it in digital on Amazon or in paperback from the publisher. A couple early reviews are already popping up, one of which has wonderful things to say about my story.
I have several more pieces coming out very soon, which you can always keep up to date with at the bottom of my publications page. And I’ll let you know here once they’re out! Now, onto the poetry.
“The Comedian” is an older poem of mine that I never reprinted here. It was first published in the magazine Infernal Ink back in July 2014 (Kindle version or print issue). And now here it is for you to read for free, because poetry doesn’t only have to be about nature, love, and wisdom. Enjoy!
The Comedian
His laughing eyes mock my terror.
He revels in his heinous game.
Oh so slowly he plays,
a character from nightmares,
to marvel at:
shudder.
Me frantically scurrying,
a tiny rat running through a maze,
I hide under the guillotine
and decapitate myself
with my own panicked dread.
The head bounces
like an empty thread spool,
and bumps the corner of the maze.
Ratty eyes look up
to see the evil player’s
wicked smile
caressing my fear.
© Annie Neugebauer, 2013
Share this:
