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Robert Borski's second collection of dark poems, Carpe Noctem (Weird House), is a generous and mind-bending helping of pop culture (mostly) horror infused with wit and intelligence.
Borksi has a deep familiarity with both standard literary monsters (vampires, Frankenstein's creation, Dorian Gray, Cthulhu), and newer media additions to the canon of fear (Mothra, The Creature from the Black Lagoon, The Blob). He doesn't leave it at that, though. Instead, he frequently uses these tropes to tell larger stories about relationships, illness, sacrifice, and the nature of fear itself.
Of course, there is also a mile-wide streak of black humor here. Zombies are a favorite topic, and these poems are almost invariably amusing on some level -- even if that level comes right before (or after) the shudder level. Borski is also a master of the twisted punch line, particularly in his shorter poems.
These well-crafted pieces of free verse are strongly narrative and accessible, though I found myself craving a little more music in some of the lines. Borski's imagination can't be faulted, however. When it comes to morbid implications, he's always three steps ahead . . . and that last one is a doozy.
With nothing but freshly excavated dirt at the bottom.
For more information, or to order:
https://www.weirdhousepress.com/product/carpe-noctem/
****
Note: This one isn't up on Goodreads yet, because the collection is very newly out. For me, it was a solid 4 star read -- but I'm a formalist. Those who prefer dark free verse will probably find it a 5 star experience.
Borksi has a deep familiarity with both standard literary monsters (vampires, Frankenstein's creation, Dorian Gray, Cthulhu), and newer media additions to the canon of fear (Mothra, The Creature from the Black Lagoon, The Blob). He doesn't leave it at that, though. Instead, he frequently uses these tropes to tell larger stories about relationships, illness, sacrifice, and the nature of fear itself.
Of course, there is also a mile-wide streak of black humor here. Zombies are a favorite topic, and these poems are almost invariably amusing on some level -- even if that level comes right before (or after) the shudder level. Borski is also a master of the twisted punch line, particularly in his shorter poems.
These well-crafted pieces of free verse are strongly narrative and accessible, though I found myself craving a little more music in some of the lines. Borski's imagination can't be faulted, however. When it comes to morbid implications, he's always three steps ahead . . . and that last one is a doozy.
With nothing but freshly excavated dirt at the bottom.
For more information, or to order:
https://www.weirdhousepress.com/product/carpe-noctem/
****
Note: This one isn't up on Goodreads yet, because the collection is very newly out. For me, it was a solid 4 star read -- but I'm a formalist. Those who prefer dark free verse will probably find it a 5 star experience.
