Burning the Ghost Light: Poems

by Caitlin Conlon

“We all have a stage, but what happens when the lights go out?” — A poetic exploration of the masks we wear, and the truth that lies beneath.

Burning The Ghost Light is a striking new poetry collection that invites readers into a world where theater and life intersect. Through four carefully crafted acts—the collection unpacks the roles we play in our relationships, whether with our parents, our lovers, or even the reflection in our own mirrors.

Inspired by the dramatic elements of the stage, the collection features a cast of characters, dialogue, and vivid theater imagery, creating a reading experience that feels both introspective and performative. The poems delve into the ways we perform for others without even realizing it, and how that performance shapes our identities over time. What happens when we strip away the masks we've worn for so long? What truths are left behind when the lights fade and the curtain falls?

With themes of mental health, the loss and rediscovery of love, coming-of-age realizations, and the imperfect nature of family, Burning The Ghost Light is for anyone who has ever wrestled with the complexity of being human. Blending the deeply personal with the profoundly universal, this collection speaks to those who find themselves constantly straddling the line between authenticity and expectation and will stay with you long after the final act.

Genres: Poetry

96 pages, Paperback

Published September 9, 2025

About the author

Caitlin Conlon is the author of THE SURRENDER THEORY (2022) and BURNING THE GHOST LIGHT (forthcoming in 2025). She has a BA in English and a Creative Writing Certificate from the University At Buffalo; while there, she was chosen for the Friends of the University Libraries Undergraduate Poetry Prize, and the Arthur Axlerod Memorial Prize for Poetry. She has previously been published with midsummer magazine, Olney Magazine, and Anti-Heroin Chic, among others. She is the co-founder of Unearth Writing Retreats, which hosts virtual and in-person writing retreats for writers of all levels.

You can find her newsletter, Dancing With The Marginalia, on Substack, where she posts bi-weekly essays about books and writing. Everywhere else, she’s @cgcpoems.

Reviews

[Caitlin Conlon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m very, very proud of this one. I hope y’all love it.

[Clara · Rating 5 out of 5]

as someone who loves both theatre and poetry, i absolutely ATE THIS UP. caitlin conlon is brilliant and this book is not to be skipped!!!!

[Lyd Havens · Rating 5 out of 5]

I edited this book & think it’s phenomenal!

[Kayla Simon · Rating 5 out of 5]

fully intended to read this collection over a few days but instead i read it all in one sitting because i just couldn’t put it down. there are so many poems and lines in here that are going to stick with me forever. such a unique structure for a poetry book and i am obsessed!!! caitlin conlon is a national treasure and one of the most gifted poets of our generation

[Kayleigh Pugh]

Eeeek!

This is so special to me. I’ve been following Conlon on Instagram for YEARS and remembering preordering her first published collection.

Burning the Ghost Light is a collection of poems written in the format of a stage play. While I don’t rate poetry I will say there were SO many poems in this collection that gave me goosebumps and quite literally took my breath away. Such a fun format that deeply appealed to my theater kid heart. Truly believe that this collection was written for me to read (hello divine intervention…the whole world is poetry.)

Can’t wait to share my fave poems once this gets published in September!!

Thank you to NetGalley, Central Avenue Poetry, and Simon and Schuster for this ARC.

[Dingske · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes what happens behind the scenes is exactly what should capture people's interest.

Burning the Ghost Light is a collection of poems, but not like any you have read before. In the form of a play, you are introduced to THE SELF and other characters. With stage directions, set descriptions and actions, words are brought to life and poems become monologues.

Metaphors embrace feelings and that which cannot be described. As a spectator, you watch the stage with melancholy and become part of it. Broken, healed hearts about relationships and families.

Due to the alternative writing style and approach of this book, it may not be for everyone, but it grabbed me by the throat and took me on a journey. I enjoyed it and can't wait to discover more from Caitlin Conlon.

This is an arc read thanks to Netgalley

[Cassie King · Rating 4 out of 5]

“ What will THE SELF say when there are no metaphors or props to hide behind?”

I love this structure for a poetry book! It gives the reader a little bit more perspective on the poems because you get the “stage direction” and “directors notes”. It’s such a creative twist.

The writing itself is very emotional, relating to a lot of feelings that it may have in common with the reader, from grief and trauma to feeling out of place in the world. “ I don't think I'm in the right genre.”

I don’t think I’d recommend it as your first poetry read, but I definitely recommend it once you have dipped your toes into poetry a bit!

I received an ARC via NetGalley

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the pleasure of reading this collection before its publication, but had to wait to formerly review it. I plan on re-reading it to refresh myself with its magic soon.

This is unlike any poetry collection I've ever read. The blending of forms comes across organically to meet the theme. It's a risk I'm glad Conlon took in her poetry and believe it pays off quite well here. The poems are every bit as cutting as her previous work, yet there's a new sense of maturity in the voice as well as an evolution in what I believe is the right direction for the poet. If you're a fan of Sharon Olds, Ada Limon, Beckett, and Greek Tragedy plays, then give this collection a read; even if you're not a fan of those listed, give the collection a try anyway.

[Makenzie Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

i shouldn’t be surprised, as conlon has proved to be a fantastic writer before. and yet, i’m left with my jaw out of place at how lovely & creative this collection is. i wanted to take my time with it, and then i couldn’t put it down. wonderful wonderful wonderful work.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t know how else to say this besides saying this is the best book of poetry I have ever read. The vivid pictures it left in my mind have stayed with me since I finished the book 2 weeks ago. I feel so lucky that I stumbled upon a pre-released copy in a bookstore in Savannah.

I personally value economy of words when it comes to all writing, but especially poetry. Nothing maddens me more than poets filling space and using words that add nothing to the poem. Conlon does the opposite of that. By way of example: “the way he arrived drunk at my grandmothers funeral after disappearing for months. A warm corpse in the ground, and he was parenting a bottle of vodka.” (About the FATHER)

It’s a “play” of sorts- poetry divided into four acts in which the speaker progresses through life by means of the Mother, the Father, the Lover and finally the Self. There are layers upon layers. It’s full of yearning and grief IN THE BEST WAY POSSIBLE.

Buy this book and buy a copy for a friend so you don’t have to give your copy away when you inevitably think of that friend who absolutely needs to read it.

Hats fuckin off Caitlin Conlon.

[Emily Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a stunning collection of poems that had me stopping and catching my breath as I read. The book is set up like a play, and it couldn’t have been more clearly performed in my head throughout the collection. These poems are vulnerable and honest and provide a sort of map for navigating the grief of loss, aging, moving, and more as we watch THE SELF experience life from just off the stage—that is, until they can no longer avoid the spotlight.
This collection feels accessible to those new to poetry and exciting and fresh to seasoned poetry readers, alike. It was a joy to read these poems and watch this play in my mind, and it is one I will keep returning to as I continue to find my own way home.

[Ilyse · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was just beautiful. I was moved, and not just by the stage direction. I love the mix of poetry and theater, it worked so well. It was a very quick read and I'm looking forward to reading more by Conlon in the future.

Thank you Central Avenue Publishing and NetGalley for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Natalie Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a unique and captivating poetry collection! I loved the way this was formatted and the way each section told a complete story. Props to the poet for her vulnerability and for turning her pain into such beautiful words. Recommend to all!

[Rosina Fazio · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book fucks

[Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dammit Caitlin

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This stands out as a poetry collection structured like a play. It is divided into multiple acts that mimic the dramatic arc of a staged performance, and it uses dialogue, scenes, and vivid stage imagery to blur the line between poetry and theater. It uses this lens to explore themes of identity, performance, mental health, and family dynamics.

This is full of stage metaphors such as ghost lights, spotlights, curtains really setting the scene and making you feel like this is a performance you are viewing or part of.

In addition to this, we have a very clear cast of characters that you can easily imagine as we delve through various life experiences from childhood to romantic relationships and everything in between.

Overall, this was a fun and interesting read. If you’re drawn to form-bending poetry that plays with theatricality and introspection, this collection will light up those intellectual spotlights.