Watermark: Poems of the Great Johnstown Flood of 1889

by Barbara Sabol

A once-in-a-century storm coupled with a structurally fraught mountain lake in the rough steel and coal country of western Pennsylvania sets the stage for the Johnstown Flood of 1889. WATERMARK is a lyric documentary of personae both real and imagined. Voices of the unidentified flood victims, those “coffined” without a name, are drawn from the hand-scripted morgue book listing their features, clothing, and artifacts. Voices of other figures from the disaster, such as Clara Barton and railway engineer John Hess, also flesh out the larger narrative. In this collection of historically authentic and lyrically compelling poems, a chorus of voices—scullery maid, carpenter, drifter, telegrapher—brings the story of “The Great Flood” to life.

Genres: Poetry

132 pages, Paperback

First published October 17, 2023

About the author

Sheila-Na-Gig Editions' Poetry Prize winner.

Reviews

[Christen Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Watermark is a beautifully-rendered retelling of personal narratives excavated from the 1889 Johnstown Flood. These haunting lyrical and epistolary poems bring to life the voices of those lost in a deluge that claimed an entire town.

[Pamela Anderson-Bartholet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Why did it take me so long to read this book? (I'm asking myself that question.)

I finally dove in (in earnest) yesterday, and I was completely captivated by the story and poems. It is fantastic! Please read this book!

The poems/book is about the Johnstown Flood (Pennsylvania) on May 31, 1889. There are poems (some "written" by people who died in the flood)...letters...and information about the flood and how/why it happened. I felt breathless with many of the poems...they are gorgeous and so very compelling.

This is a great book for today, when climate change is making the weather lose its mind.

I highly recommend this book!

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartbreaking in that these stories were mostly created for the victims of the flood that were never identified. Sabol gave them a eulogy, created from the characteristics noted at the morgue. So many lives lost, then lost again when unclaimed. These poems resonate, evoke, chill. Heavily researched and eloquently rendered, the grief will wash over you, symbolically and finally. For those, even if imagined, their life is now remembered.

[Samantha Terrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sabol pays a beautiful poetic tribute to her regional history. Brilliant concept, well-executed!