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Gothic Poems to Love & Liberty: A Collection of Poems on Myths & Broken Hearts
Gothic Poems to Love & Liberty is a mesmerizing collection of over 250 gothic poems that delve into the depths of love, loss, longing, betrayal, and the relentless pursuit of freedom. Blending the beauty of sorrow with the eerie echoes of myth, Mason Carter transforms timeless legends into hauntingly poetic laments that will stir your soul.
From the cursed gaze of Medusa, the sorrow of Orpheus, and the eternal yearning of Persephone to the ghostly whispers of Yuki-onna, the tragic devotion of Layla and Majnun, and the torment of Koschei the Deathless, these verses weave together Greek, Roman, Sindhi, Russian, Irish, Korean, Māori, and Native American folklore, reimagining them through the lens of gothic melancholy.
Each poem is a journey into forgotten love, untamed passion, and the agony of separation, where every line drips with dark romance and poetic tragedy. Whether you are drawn to the ethereal beauty of gothic literature, the aching echoes of doomed love, or the haunting charm of mythological sorrow, this collection will speak to your soul, consume your thoughts, and leave you longing for the impossible.
From the cursed gaze of Medusa, the sorrow of Orpheus, and the eternal yearning of Persephone to the ghostly whispers of Yuki-onna, the tragic devotion of Layla and Majnun, and the torment of Koschei the Deathless, these verses weave together Greek, Roman, Sindhi, Russian, Irish, Korean, Māori, and Native American folklore, reimagining them through the lens of gothic melancholy.
Each poem is a journey into forgotten love, untamed passion, and the agony of separation, where every line drips with dark romance and poetic tragedy. Whether you are drawn to the ethereal beauty of gothic literature, the aching echoes of doomed love, or the haunting charm of mythological sorrow, this collection will speak to your soul, consume your thoughts, and leave you longing for the impossible.
- GenresPoetry
265 pages, Paperback
Published February 9, 2025
2 people are currently reading
25 people want to read
About the author
Mason Carter
51 books25 followersMason Carter (born Mushahid Syed) is a poet, fiction writer, translator, and academic whose work explores themes of social justice, autonomy, and the communal spirit that binds people together. He studied English Literature at Shah Abdul Latif University and the International Islamic University, completing his master’s thesis on communes and utopias in literature.
Since 2017, Mason has been teaching English Language and Literature, and he currently serves as a lecturer at Shah Abdul Latif University. His approach to teaching reflects his deep belief in learning as a shared, ongoing dialogue—one that continues to shape his writing and thought.
A writer since 2010, Mason draws inspiration from literary figures such as Edgar Allan Poe, William Blake, Khalil Gibran, and Samuel Beckett. His writing blends lyricism, philosophical inquiry, and political imagination, often blurring the boundaries between art and reflection.
Outside the classroom and the page, Mason enjoys reading, watching films and series on Netflix, and organizing study circles with friends. Above all, he finds his greatest inspiration in fatherhood and in the quiet, curious companionship of his daughter, Elsa.
Since 2017, Mason has been teaching English Language and Literature, and he currently serves as a lecturer at Shah Abdul Latif University. His approach to teaching reflects his deep belief in learning as a shared, ongoing dialogue—one that continues to shape his writing and thought.
A writer since 2010, Mason draws inspiration from literary figures such as Edgar Allan Poe, William Blake, Khalil Gibran, and Samuel Beckett. His writing blends lyricism, philosophical inquiry, and political imagination, often blurring the boundaries between art and reflection.
Outside the classroom and the page, Mason enjoys reading, watching films and series on Netflix, and organizing study circles with friends. Above all, he finds his greatest inspiration in fatherhood and in the quiet, curious companionship of his daughter, Elsa.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
March 10, 2025
Reading Gothic Poems to Love & Liberty by Mason Carter honestly gave me vibes of Edgar Allan Poe and Milton. The gothic diction and atmosphere throughout the poems are just incredible. And the way Carter reinterprets traditionally vilified monsters like Medusa as tragic victims? It’s genius. It made me feel for her the same way Paradise Lost made me sympathize with Lucifer.
Plus, the sheer amount of myths and stories woven into each poem is insane. It’s like a treasure hunt where you have to dig into mythology to truly understand the depth of each piece. And doing that research just made the experience so much richer. Thanks to this collection, I feel like I’ve learned about so many new myths and folklores.
Honestly, I’d call this collection a classic. It’s unforgettable.
It is one of those collections that just completely pulls you into its world. It's dripping with gothic beauty and sorrow, and the way Carter reinvents mythological stories and tragic characters is honestly breathtaking. I love how he takes these age-old legends and fills them with so much raw emotion and tragedy, you feel like you’re reading something entirely new.
I Absolutely loved The Prince with Hollow Hearts, a poem about a prince who feels nothing, and attempts to feel something but each attempt goes in vain, and learns to live with it slowly, or Decay of Her Beauty, how a girl, betrayed by her lover, slowly decays and wanes, it brought tears to my eyes, like many other poems in this collection.
Some of other mythic poems that I loved are given below...
1. Medusa’s Curse: The Wrath of Lords and the Silence of Stone
This poem is an absolute knockout. Carter’s retelling of Medusa’s story is nothing short of powerful. What I adore here is how he flips the narrative, giving voice to Medusa’s suffering and betrayal by the gods themselves. The heartbreaking line, “For lords like thee, with hearts so cold, / Find joy in watching us unfold.” just hits you with this gut-wrenching truth. It’s not just a retelling; it’s an indictment of injustice, a furious cry against cruelty.
And the reinterpretation of Athena’s judgment? Pure brilliance. Instead of being a hero’s obstacle, Medusa becomes a tragic, wronged figure who was never protected, only cursed. The way Carter describes her transformation and pain is hauntingly beautiful and deeply sad.
2. The Eternal Lament of Galatea
Now, this poem is a masterpiece of heartbreak. It’s a retelling of the doomed love between Galatea and Acis, but what makes it so powerful is how the grief is just layered on so heavily. The way Carter describes Galatea’s mourning is so raw, you can feel the agony in every word. “I scream in silence, lost, alone, / For love’s sweet kiss, forever gone.” That line alone feels like a punch to the chest.
But what’s really fascinating is how the poem plays with the theme of memory and loss. The ocean itself becomes this endless metaphor for her grief, churning and wild. And the storytelling here makes you feel every bit of that anguish.
3. The Clay Heart of the Golem
This one just wrecked me. Carter takes the legend of the Golem and turns it into this tragic, unrequited love story that’s both unique and incredibly poignant. The Golem, made of clay and created to protect, ends up developing a deep, impossible love for Miriam. The line, “The heart of clay could never feel, / What human hands and hearts conceal.” captures that heartbreaking reality that his love is doomed from the start.
And the way Carter builds the Golem’s yearning and desperation, only to end it with the Golem’s destruction—it’s devastating. The whole story within the poem feels like a slow, inevitable tragedy. It’s haunting, and it stays with you.
What makes this collection shine is its richness of allusions. You can see Carter drawing from Greek, Roman, and even Eastern European myths, reinterpreting them with a gothic twist that feels fresh and powerful. And the way he turns these ancient tales into deeply personal stories of grief, betrayal, longing, and rebellion? It’s just brilliant.
Carter’s language is gorgeous. His lines are filled with melancholy and grandeur, and his imagery is so vivid it feels like you’re walking through some cursed, beautiful world of his own making. This book is definitely an all-timer for me. It’s the kind of poetry collection you can just keep revisiting and finding new meaning each time.
Absolutely recommend this to anyone who loves mythological retellings drenched in gothic sorrow and beauty. Carter’s voice is something special, and this collection is unforgettable.
Plus, the sheer amount of myths and stories woven into each poem is insane. It’s like a treasure hunt where you have to dig into mythology to truly understand the depth of each piece. And doing that research just made the experience so much richer. Thanks to this collection, I feel like I’ve learned about so many new myths and folklores.
Honestly, I’d call this collection a classic. It’s unforgettable.
It is one of those collections that just completely pulls you into its world. It's dripping with gothic beauty and sorrow, and the way Carter reinvents mythological stories and tragic characters is honestly breathtaking. I love how he takes these age-old legends and fills them with so much raw emotion and tragedy, you feel like you’re reading something entirely new.
I Absolutely loved The Prince with Hollow Hearts, a poem about a prince who feels nothing, and attempts to feel something but each attempt goes in vain, and learns to live with it slowly, or Decay of Her Beauty, how a girl, betrayed by her lover, slowly decays and wanes, it brought tears to my eyes, like many other poems in this collection.
Some of other mythic poems that I loved are given below...
1. Medusa’s Curse: The Wrath of Lords and the Silence of Stone
This poem is an absolute knockout. Carter’s retelling of Medusa’s story is nothing short of powerful. What I adore here is how he flips the narrative, giving voice to Medusa’s suffering and betrayal by the gods themselves. The heartbreaking line, “For lords like thee, with hearts so cold, / Find joy in watching us unfold.” just hits you with this gut-wrenching truth. It’s not just a retelling; it’s an indictment of injustice, a furious cry against cruelty.
And the reinterpretation of Athena’s judgment? Pure brilliance. Instead of being a hero’s obstacle, Medusa becomes a tragic, wronged figure who was never protected, only cursed. The way Carter describes her transformation and pain is hauntingly beautiful and deeply sad.
2. The Eternal Lament of Galatea
Now, this poem is a masterpiece of heartbreak. It’s a retelling of the doomed love between Galatea and Acis, but what makes it so powerful is how the grief is just layered on so heavily. The way Carter describes Galatea’s mourning is so raw, you can feel the agony in every word. “I scream in silence, lost, alone, / For love’s sweet kiss, forever gone.” That line alone feels like a punch to the chest.
But what’s really fascinating is how the poem plays with the theme of memory and loss. The ocean itself becomes this endless metaphor for her grief, churning and wild. And the storytelling here makes you feel every bit of that anguish.
3. The Clay Heart of the Golem
This one just wrecked me. Carter takes the legend of the Golem and turns it into this tragic, unrequited love story that’s both unique and incredibly poignant. The Golem, made of clay and created to protect, ends up developing a deep, impossible love for Miriam. The line, “The heart of clay could never feel, / What human hands and hearts conceal.” captures that heartbreaking reality that his love is doomed from the start.
And the way Carter builds the Golem’s yearning and desperation, only to end it with the Golem’s destruction—it’s devastating. The whole story within the poem feels like a slow, inevitable tragedy. It’s haunting, and it stays with you.
What makes this collection shine is its richness of allusions. You can see Carter drawing from Greek, Roman, and even Eastern European myths, reinterpreting them with a gothic twist that feels fresh and powerful. And the way he turns these ancient tales into deeply personal stories of grief, betrayal, longing, and rebellion? It’s just brilliant.
Carter’s language is gorgeous. His lines are filled with melancholy and grandeur, and his imagery is so vivid it feels like you’re walking through some cursed, beautiful world of his own making. This book is definitely an all-timer for me. It’s the kind of poetry collection you can just keep revisiting and finding new meaning each time.
Absolutely recommend this to anyone who loves mythological retellings drenched in gothic sorrow and beauty. Carter’s voice is something special, and this collection is unforgettable.
February 12, 2025
This collection of poems is a breathtaking exploration of the human experience, with each verse meticulously crafted to evoke a profound emotional resonance
During reading I kept myself under the author by safar ali
During reading I kept myself under the author by safar ali
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 20, 2025
I got my copy last week and have been reading it nonstop. Honestly, it’s already my favorite poetry collection. Decay of Her Beauty hit me hard—it was so raw and heartbreaking, it actually made me tear up. The way it captures her slow unraveling is just devastating. I also loved how it challenges myths and weaves in feminist themes. If you’re into poetry that makes you feel something deep, I can’t recommend this one enough.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews