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The Death Sonnets
Shakespeare-inspired, Halloween-approved!
Crazy killers, spectral lovers, fearsome witches, urban legends and other spooky friends fill the pages of these macabre poems. Whether it's dark humor or tongue-in-cheek social commentary, Justin Tate has the rare ability to make classic poetry as entertaining as a novel and as juicy as a scandal. This collection is a must-read during the Halloween season or whenever you feel the darkness calling.
Table of Contents:
1. The Nag
2. Trick-or-Treat Trap
3. Phantom Flirts
4. The Manifestation
5. A Daffodil or Tulip Shan't Compare
6. Baby Sarah
7. Pagan Witch Dentists of Salem, Texas
8. DFWTG
9. Necropusticularitis
10. All Natural
11. Chingy Chingy Chugga-Chug Vroom Vroom Pow
12. Annie May's Halloween Bash
13. The Autumn Age
14. Cannibal Lover
15. Pumpkin
Crazy killers, spectral lovers, fearsome witches, urban legends and other spooky friends fill the pages of these macabre poems. Whether it's dark humor or tongue-in-cheek social commentary, Justin Tate has the rare ability to make classic poetry as entertaining as a novel and as juicy as a scandal. This collection is a must-read during the Halloween season or whenever you feel the darkness calling.
Table of Contents:
1. The Nag
2. Trick-or-Treat Trap
3. Phantom Flirts
4. The Manifestation
5. A Daffodil or Tulip Shan't Compare
6. Baby Sarah
7. Pagan Witch Dentists of Salem, Texas
8. DFWTG
9. Necropusticularitis
10. All Natural
11. Chingy Chingy Chugga-Chug Vroom Vroom Pow
12. Annie May's Halloween Bash
13. The Autumn Age
14. Cannibal Lover
15. Pumpkin
17 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 23, 2013
25 people are currently reading
154 people want to read
About the author
Justin Tate
7 books1,512 followersHi, Goodreads! I'm a literary historian and biographer with specialty in Gothic Studies and pulp paperback fiction. Let's be friends :)
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
April 10, 2024
I wrote The Death Sonnets from age 20 to 24, in a frenzied state of lost love, gained wisdom, political activism and a bit of adulthood culture shock. Looking back on them now, it's almost like they were written by another person. A person I'm both delighted to leave behind and long to become again.
Unlike most poetry, none of them seem to be written directly from my point of view. That makes sense. I was too young to have an identity. I had feelings--a lot of feelings--but they needed to be masked with symbolism and far-removed characters. "Pumpkin" stands out to me as a sonnet that no one could possibly understand. It reads immature, obscure, and a lot ridiculous. It's not ridiculous to me, though. It's about finding the ideal partner (the perfect pumpkin) and, instead, discovering a monster within. In my early twenties, there were only two outcomes. Die by the monster (an attractive cat) or die by something tame (a filthy dog). Which would you prefer? In my young mind, there were no other options.
Many of the sonnets touch on themes of trapped relationships. My ideas of love were remarkably bleak for someone with so little experience. In "Phantom Flirts,” for instance, true love can only be achieved in death. In "The Nag" true love seems to be eternal bickering. In "Cannibal Lover" there's an almost suicidal willingness to give up everything to be loved. I don't know what was going on in my head at the time, but clearly it wasn't an appreciation for the Cinderella ending. This dark theme has continued to interest me, though. Why do we put up with abuse? What are we seeking - and what are the consequences of finding it?
Not everything is so serious. The absurdity of "Pagan Witch Dentists of Salem, Texas," had me nearly spit out my coffee re-reading it. What was I thinking? And "Necropusticularitis" is quite a hoot. I vaguely remember writing it as a cheeky response to the Twilight phenomenon. "The Autumn Age" is probably the most mature and a sign that I was already thinking of life's conclusion. Apparently I had no idea that my life was just beginning.
Surprisingly, The Death Sonnets is so far my most published material. Many anthologies and webzines have printed them. They've never been rejected. Every publication I sent them to promptly sent back an acceptance. I only realize now how extraordinarily rare that is.
Like taking photographs or making home movies, I think everyone should write poetry over time. There's no better way to get a glimpse into where you were, emotionally, at that time and place. I'm particularly glad I took the time to put these into print. They aren't for everyone, certainly, but I hope someone can relate.
Unlike most poetry, none of them seem to be written directly from my point of view. That makes sense. I was too young to have an identity. I had feelings--a lot of feelings--but they needed to be masked with symbolism and far-removed characters. "Pumpkin" stands out to me as a sonnet that no one could possibly understand. It reads immature, obscure, and a lot ridiculous. It's not ridiculous to me, though. It's about finding the ideal partner (the perfect pumpkin) and, instead, discovering a monster within. In my early twenties, there were only two outcomes. Die by the monster (an attractive cat) or die by something tame (a filthy dog). Which would you prefer? In my young mind, there were no other options.
Many of the sonnets touch on themes of trapped relationships. My ideas of love were remarkably bleak for someone with so little experience. In "Phantom Flirts,” for instance, true love can only be achieved in death. In "The Nag" true love seems to be eternal bickering. In "Cannibal Lover" there's an almost suicidal willingness to give up everything to be loved. I don't know what was going on in my head at the time, but clearly it wasn't an appreciation for the Cinderella ending. This dark theme has continued to interest me, though. Why do we put up with abuse? What are we seeking - and what are the consequences of finding it?
Not everything is so serious. The absurdity of "Pagan Witch Dentists of Salem, Texas," had me nearly spit out my coffee re-reading it. What was I thinking? And "Necropusticularitis" is quite a hoot. I vaguely remember writing it as a cheeky response to the Twilight phenomenon. "The Autumn Age" is probably the most mature and a sign that I was already thinking of life's conclusion. Apparently I had no idea that my life was just beginning.
Surprisingly, The Death Sonnets is so far my most published material. Many anthologies and webzines have printed them. They've never been rejected. Every publication I sent them to promptly sent back an acceptance. I only realize now how extraordinarily rare that is.
Like taking photographs or making home movies, I think everyone should write poetry over time. There's no better way to get a glimpse into where you were, emotionally, at that time and place. I'm particularly glad I took the time to put these into print. They aren't for everyone, certainly, but I hope someone can relate.
April 14, 2017
Rating: 4 / 5
This is a horror poetry book, complied of a small collection of sonnets by Justin Tate, all written in the spirit of Halloween. I have a love for poetry, and also for horror, so when I found this book, I really wanted to read it. I immediately downloaded it for free off of the Kindle Store and settle down to give it a read.
I think this was quite funny, albeit, quite dark at times. I shared some of the poems with my partner and we had a good laugh about it. Tate has gone over numerous different horror aspects and made them into either deliciously dark sonnets, or hilariously funny ones. One or two didn’t quite make sense, but I enjoyed them all none the less.
I would personally recommend this to any horror lover who likes or loves poetry. This is a form of art, and a really well written one at that.
Tate did a great job with this and it’s made me want to read more of his works. It was enjoyable and funny, and made me smile when I was having a bit of a rough time. A really well written piece of work, Tate definitely has a new fan in me after reading this.
This is a horror poetry book, complied of a small collection of sonnets by Justin Tate, all written in the spirit of Halloween. I have a love for poetry, and also for horror, so when I found this book, I really wanted to read it. I immediately downloaded it for free off of the Kindle Store and settle down to give it a read.
I think this was quite funny, albeit, quite dark at times. I shared some of the poems with my partner and we had a good laugh about it. Tate has gone over numerous different horror aspects and made them into either deliciously dark sonnets, or hilariously funny ones. One or two didn’t quite make sense, but I enjoyed them all none the less.
I would personally recommend this to any horror lover who likes or loves poetry. This is a form of art, and a really well written one at that.
Tate did a great job with this and it’s made me want to read more of his works. It was enjoyable and funny, and made me smile when I was having a bit of a rough time. A really well written piece of work, Tate definitely has a new fan in me after reading this.
September 27, 2019
The death sonnets is an unusual collection of dark,gritty paranormal poetry. They were not what I was expecting however some of them were alright (The ones about Halloween). Use of strong language was definitely one of the major put off for me.
The themes were a tad disorganized apart from that and the language, I feel like a disclaimer in the blurb would be helpful since not everyone isn't going to like it.
If you are looking for a fast read then go for this.
The themes were a tad disorganized apart from that and the language, I feel like a disclaimer in the blurb would be helpful since not everyone isn't going to like it.
If you are looking for a fast read then go for this.
June 2, 2017
Short but fun
I chose this book on a spur if the moment, but if you want a quick read that makes you smile then give this a go.
I chose this book on a spur if the moment, but if you want a quick read that makes you smile then give this a go.
July 3, 2017
I liked it
Its short captures your attention for a couple minutes. Good read though. I will probably reads it in the future
Its short captures your attention for a couple minutes. Good read though. I will probably reads it in the future
January 18, 2014
Death to the Sonnet's Stuffy Reputation
What is a sonnet? It's "a poem, properly expressive of a single, complete thought, idea, or sentiment, of fourteen lines, usually in iambic pentameter, with rhymes arranged according to one of certain definite schemes, being in the strict or Italian form divided into a major group of eight lines (the octave) followed by a minor group of six lines (the sestet), and in a common English form into three quatrains followed by a couplet."
Reading the definition may lead one to think: Blah, Blah, Blah.
I hadn't read a sonnet since college. Although it was a long time ago, I remember (vividly) that I didn't enjoy it.
The Death Sonnets, by Justin Tate, is a collection of fifteen sonnets. There's a reason why the skulls on the front cover appear to be both horrified and laughing:
"Worse than a collection of all my fears,
The reflection of me in thirty years!"
This glittering collection should be read with the screechy tones of the Crypt Keeper in the background, and ghosts hovering in the shadows, reading over your shoulder. And in the corner…is that Stephen King, wishing he'd thought of it first?
What is a sonnet? It's "a poem, properly expressive of a single, complete thought, idea, or sentiment, of fourteen lines, usually in iambic pentameter, with rhymes arranged according to one of certain definite schemes, being in the strict or Italian form divided into a major group of eight lines (the octave) followed by a minor group of six lines (the sestet), and in a common English form into three quatrains followed by a couplet."
Reading the definition may lead one to think: Blah, Blah, Blah.
I hadn't read a sonnet since college. Although it was a long time ago, I remember (vividly) that I didn't enjoy it.
The Death Sonnets, by Justin Tate, is a collection of fifteen sonnets. There's a reason why the skulls on the front cover appear to be both horrified and laughing:
"Worse than a collection of all my fears,
The reflection of me in thirty years!"
This glittering collection should be read with the screechy tones of the Crypt Keeper in the background, and ghosts hovering in the shadows, reading over your shoulder. And in the corner…is that Stephen King, wishing he'd thought of it first?
July 2, 2016
Fun but Twisted Halloween Sonnets
It takes a certain twisted type of brain,
To transform sonnets on love and beauty,
Writing none but gory, haunted refrains.
For creepy witch, goblin 'n ghost duty.
One questions the motive behind Cannibal Sex,
As he devours his lover, head to toe,
Witch Dentists use teeth for an evil hex
Even zombies swap S.T.D.s - big ho's
Babies leap to suffocate sleeping cats
Homophobes buried alive for intolerance
Always say nice things about Amy's hat
Evil Politicians get their comeuppance
Read all these twisted sonnets in this tome
There is much more inside, hit buy and roam.
My Sonnet Review
It takes a certain twisted type of brain,
To transform sonnets on love and beauty,
Writing none but gory, haunted refrains.
For creepy witch, goblin 'n ghost duty.
One questions the motive behind Cannibal Sex,
As he devours his lover, head to toe,
Witch Dentists use teeth for an evil hex
Even zombies swap S.T.D.s - big ho's
Babies leap to suffocate sleeping cats
Homophobes buried alive for intolerance
Always say nice things about Amy's hat
Evil Politicians get their comeuppance
Read all these twisted sonnets in this tome
There is much more inside, hit buy and roam.
My Sonnet Review
December 31, 2013
You can also find this review as part of the Kindle App Random Robin on The Review Board.
Disclaimer: This work contains dark imagery. Therefore, it may not be for everyone.
Blurb: This collection of witty sonnets has an eerie twist! Packed with phantoms, freaks, zombies, crazy babies and more to satisfy your craving for dark poetry that is as entertaining as a novel and as juicy as a scandal.
“As entertaining as a novel and as juicy as a scandal…”
Wow, that’s a lot to live up to, but did it deliver?
There were a lot of pieces that really stood out and had my attention:
1. Trick-or-Treat Trap: This particular work reads like the blueprint on how a stranger successfully lures little kids to do his/her whim. It definitely gave me the chills as to how this formula was poetically delivered.
2. Baby Sarah: This dark sonnet was one of my favorites in the collection. How can something painted to be so innocence cause such carnage? It takes the illusion of innocence and obliterates it utterly.
3. DFWTG: It has the same twisted ambiance as “Baby Sarah”, along with that “Gotcha!” component.
4. The “Chingy” Poem: It has a sing song quality to it. I found myself attaching a dark melody and reciting it in song in my head as well as out loud. I could definitely see it being “dark rock.”
I highly recommend this to a person who likes sonnets of a grittier, darker nature. It’s a great blend of traditional sonnet rhythm but dares to go outside the box in relation to content.
Disclaimer: This work contains dark imagery. Therefore, it may not be for everyone.
Blurb: This collection of witty sonnets has an eerie twist! Packed with phantoms, freaks, zombies, crazy babies and more to satisfy your craving for dark poetry that is as entertaining as a novel and as juicy as a scandal.
“As entertaining as a novel and as juicy as a scandal…”
Wow, that’s a lot to live up to, but did it deliver?
There were a lot of pieces that really stood out and had my attention:
1. Trick-or-Treat Trap: This particular work reads like the blueprint on how a stranger successfully lures little kids to do his/her whim. It definitely gave me the chills as to how this formula was poetically delivered.
2. Baby Sarah: This dark sonnet was one of my favorites in the collection. How can something painted to be so innocence cause such carnage? It takes the illusion of innocence and obliterates it utterly.
3. DFWTG: It has the same twisted ambiance as “Baby Sarah”, along with that “Gotcha!” component.
4. The “Chingy” Poem: It has a sing song quality to it. I found myself attaching a dark melody and reciting it in song in my head as well as out loud. I could definitely see it being “dark rock.”
I highly recommend this to a person who likes sonnets of a grittier, darker nature. It’s a great blend of traditional sonnet rhythm but dares to go outside the box in relation to content.
December 3, 2015
I appreciate anyone's ability to write sonnets because I certainly can't and would never try to write a whole book of them, but the style of writing sort of fell flat for me. The language is somewhere between Shakespearean and modern and because of the ambiguity it sort of loses appeal from both sides. If it was firmly one or the other, it'd be somewhat easier to classify and appreciate.
The book also starts with a poem about a nagging wife (misogynistic as well as overdone and way too exaggerated in this particular poem) and it doesn't really set a great mood for the book. It does get better from there on, but my initial bad impression lingered with me throughout the whole book and my view of it was sort of tainted because of that.
As for the macabre content: eh. It could have been scarier. Some poems were more gruesome than others, but some weren't very creepy at all. As a plus, though, I loved a lot of the titles in this book. Some of the poems have such out-there titles that you really are anxious to read the poems to find out what they're about.
Overall, this was okay, but not great.
The book also starts with a poem about a nagging wife (misogynistic as well as overdone and way too exaggerated in this particular poem) and it doesn't really set a great mood for the book. It does get better from there on, but my initial bad impression lingered with me throughout the whole book and my view of it was sort of tainted because of that.
As for the macabre content: eh. It could have been scarier. Some poems were more gruesome than others, but some weren't very creepy at all. As a plus, though, I loved a lot of the titles in this book. Some of the poems have such out-there titles that you really are anxious to read the poems to find out what they're about.
Overall, this was okay, but not great.
December 6, 2014
I really enjoyed these. They were great smooth reads, a few were a bit much but most were great.
June 9, 2015
Need to smirk
I did smirk, not quite a laugh. Read it with a cuppa. It doesn't take but a few minutes and you may even read it twice
I did smirk, not quite a laugh. Read it with a cuppa. It doesn't take but a few minutes and you may even read it twice
November 4, 2015
there's 15 sonnets here, each about a paragraph long. I really enjoyed them!! They may be very short, but they each set the stories and mood perfectly!! Excellent!
April 9, 2019
There isn't much I can say about Justin Tate's 'The Death Sonnets' except I doubt I've ever had as much fun reading a sonnet before. (Though my sonnet experience is limited to Shakespeare so, you know...) This book is just plain fun.
'The Death Sonnets' are whimsically twisted and creeptastically delightful. This book is a real treat for horror fans, Halloween lovers (or Halloween babies, like me,) and all your favorite weirdos.
Length is the only thing that lets 'The Death Sonnets' down. It's just too short! I would happily devour four times as many of these strange little sonnets.
'The Death Sonnets' are whimsically twisted and creeptastically delightful. This book is a real treat for horror fans, Halloween lovers (or Halloween babies, like me,) and all your favorite weirdos.
Length is the only thing that lets 'The Death Sonnets' down. It's just too short! I would happily devour four times as many of these strange little sonnets.
December 30, 2021
Beautiful, delightful, funny, tasteful, short, sweet, and morbid poems. Poems I liked: Trick or Treat Trap, Phantom Flirts, The Manifestation, A Daffodil or Tulip Shan't Compre, Necropusticulasitis, Chingy-Chingy-Chugga-Vroom-Vroom-Paw, The Autumn Age, Cannibal Lover.
August 31, 2020
3.5 rounded up. Poetry isn't my thing but if it's doused in horror maybe it is.
More horror poetry please!
More horror poetry please!
November 19, 2019
Although I am not generally a fan of reading poetry, I am glad I chose this read.
These poems read like stories. They're not filled with ridiculously enormous words and there is no hidden symbolism that you have to look for to "get it". Still, the writing is even better than a story somehow. The flow is silky and smooth. You can't help but read them aloud.
There is also a really good mix of genres. Some are genuinely scary - like "Phantom Flirts" and "A Daffodil or Tulip Shan't Compare" - while others are outright hilarious. "Necropusticularitis" and "Pagan Witch Dentists from Salem Texas" had me laughing out loud. "The Nag" is classic horror/comedy as well.
"DFWTG" and "The Autumn Age" were two of my favorites that did have some symbolism, which made me feel smart because I definitely understood the message. Very witty.
The others were good too but I'll have to go back and read again to remember the titles. Although the collection was very short I thought it well worth the 99 cents, considering I genuinely enjoyed probably 9-10 of the poems in here and haven't especially liked more than two in all my years.
These poems read like stories. They're not filled with ridiculously enormous words and there is no hidden symbolism that you have to look for to "get it". Still, the writing is even better than a story somehow. The flow is silky and smooth. You can't help but read them aloud.
There is also a really good mix of genres. Some are genuinely scary - like "Phantom Flirts" and "A Daffodil or Tulip Shan't Compare" - while others are outright hilarious. "Necropusticularitis" and "Pagan Witch Dentists from Salem Texas" had me laughing out loud. "The Nag" is classic horror/comedy as well.
"DFWTG" and "The Autumn Age" were two of my favorites that did have some symbolism, which made me feel smart because I definitely understood the message. Very witty.
The others were good too but I'll have to go back and read again to remember the titles. Although the collection was very short I thought it well worth the 99 cents, considering I genuinely enjoyed probably 9-10 of the poems in here and haven't especially liked more than two in all my years.
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