Gravediggers' Dance

by G.O. Clark

Collection of horror poetry.

60 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2014

About the author

G. O. Clark is the author of 16 collections of poetry, the most recent "Tombstones: Selected Horror Poems", 2022, and 3 short story collections. His work has appeared in many publications over the last 30+ years, including Asimov's Science Fiction, Analog, Space & Time, Daily SF, Strange Horizons, Spectral Realms, Talebones, Mythic Delirium, Midnight Under The Big Top, Daily SF, Speculateif Magazine (BE) and many more. His work has been included in a number of anthologies, including, HWA Poetry Showcase, A Sea of Alone: poems for Alfred Hitchcock, Retro Spec: Tales of Fantasy and Nostalgia, Penumbra #3, and numerous Rhysling Anthologies.
He won the Asimov's Readers Award for best poem in 2001, and was a Stoker Award finalist in 2011. He was born in 1945 in Norfolk, MA and moved to CA in 1959 where he has resided ever since. He retired from library work at University of Calif. Davis after 25 years in 2008 and now resides in a mobile home with a beat up old guitar, and way too many books and cds.
More info at - - http://goclarkpoet.weebly.com

Reviews

[Bruce · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid collection of dark poetry laced with shadow humor and filled with a creepy yet compelling ambience. Revenants, devils, vampires, serial killers, lost souls, monsters of lore and of Clark’s own invention, such as the Leaf Man and the Tumbleweed Hitchhiker, inhabit these pages. All of these poems worked for me to varying degrees, with the longer ones, in particular “Green Revolution” and “Dream Hollow,” as the standouts. A quick read at bedtime for haunted dreams, before the candle gutters out and darkness descends.

[Bob · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent collection of poetry. Each poem packs the punch of a short story. Some of my favs are "The Fog," "The White Sedan" and "The Looky-Loos." Highly recommended.

[John Reinhart · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can almost see G.O. Clark's wry grin and hear his voice as I read over these poems. At once haunting, dark, even gruesome, his work is never far from seeing the funny in the macabre:

Preserves

In her basement...

perfectly pickled
rodents, frogs, birds and
long lost pets...

This snippet is a fine example of Clark's effective use of line breaks.

The poems are approachable for any reader, as they point to the topics which have become increasingly popular: zombies, vampires, werewolves, witches, the supernatural generally. Clark's tone is clear and straightforward but not simplistic.

At first glance, the poems appear to be everyday stories in most cases. The canning aspect of "Preserves" is a good example. It's just a poem about someone canning fruit...until it's not. Readers are treated to a twist, usually about halfway through the poem, that awakens us to something not quite right.

These poems are sure to spook in the most delightful way possible. Oh, and did I mention the awesome cover my Wayne Mill? Dynamite. The entire book is well laid out, which makes it ever more pleasant.