Wilted Flowers: A dark poetry collection

by Despoina Kemeridou

A dark poetry collection drenched in darkness and sorrow.

Words turn to emptiness.
Silence turns to dust.
Loneliness turns to anger,
And my little heart forgets to love.

Genres: Poetry

83 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 6, 2025

About the author

Despoina Kemeridou is a multi-genre author, poet, and graphic designer. She started writing in 2009 and immediately knew this was what she wanted to do for the rest of her life.

Kemeridou was born in 1996 in Thessaloniki, Greece. She studied Midwifery at the International University of Greece. Alongside writing, Kemeridou likes reading, photography, sketching, and painting.

She started self-publishing in 2018 and has since self-published three books. Currently, she is working on a dark fantasy retelling of a mixture between the myth of Hades and Persephone and the Beauty and the Beast fairytale.

Reviews

[S.L. Rutland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: ★★★★★

“Words turn to emptiness.
Silence turns to dust.
Loneliness turns to anger,
And my little heart forgets to love.”

Wilted Flowers - A Dark Poem Collection is best described as a set of mostly free-verse poetry that reflects on the darker sides of our emotions, with a glimmer of hope at the end. I felt the author was on a journey of self-discovery, suffering through grief and despair as she comes to terms with her past, her relationships and the horrors of human existence.

Beginning with the well-written forward by Michael C. Haymes, which sets the stage for the rest of the book, it then guides the reader along a path, with sets of poems focused on Acrostics, Fantasy, Grief, Madness, Despair and, finally, Hope.

The Good: Wilted Flowers brings out the raw, moody emotions many of us have felt at one time or another, especially during our teenage years and early twenties. During this time, we stumble out of the fantasy of our childhoods and begin to discover who we truly are. We realise the wrongdoings of those closest to us, we see their faults, and we make our greatest mistakes and learn our greatest lessons during those times.

The poems explore the emotional facets of this journey, and I have felt many of them myself throughout my life. These poems are darker but also very real. They do not speak of grandeur but derive their profundity from frailty.

The poem that struck me the most was “For Grandpa”. My grandparents raised me, and this hit home. Happiness are moments in time, and my grandparents made every moment with them special. Time is a privilege and a curse. To grow old and grey is a gift many do not get, but as you age, those you love fall around you, turning into nothing but memories. And us left behind? We are their witnesses, we will remember them, and as Despoina wrote, even though they are gone, “We will be alright.”

Secondly, I loved the entire “Fantasy” chapter. As a fantasy writer, these spoke to me, and I appreciated many traditional metaphors, such as “Mirror, Mirror” as well as the terrifying dark twist on the “Lady of the Lake”

The Bad: The only ‘Bad’ I can describe is that I would have loved to have a description of why the author wrote each poem. Each time I finished one, I was left wondering why she wrote those words. Poetry can be a deeply personal art, and her musings seem to be reflections of her own experience. I am aware that this is not the norm and not really a criticism, but it is a curiosity.

Overall: Wilted Flowers - A Dark Poetry Collection was a captivating and thoughtful read, from the compelling Forward (which I usually skip but Michael somehow drew me into) to the thought-provoking poetry. Despoina Kemeridou expertly reflects the darker nature of life in her words, a testament to her talent as a writer.

This collection is a must-read for all poetry lovers as well as those who enjoy dark fantasy. I give this book five stars!

[Caelan Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

heartbreaking and thoughtful

Wilted Flowers is a well-presented, moving collection of poems about loss and the way it spirals beside the self in despair and grief (or at least this is how I interpreted it!) well worth picking up if you like dark poetry.

[Teresa Krasteva · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wilted Flowers is an incredibly emotional, deeply effective poetry collection. The first poem sucks the reader right in, and the breaks in traditional structure provide an interruption of an otherwise monotonous rhythm. The gradual release of emotions - starting high and mighty, transitioning to the lowest low, and coming up for air again - generates a level of relatability. Art imitates life, after all.

But what this book does best is... atmosphere!

The first section of the book feels like reading an almanac; Kemeridou curses readers with sharp, magical writing. At times, the poems feel dark, mysterious, spooky even - an innately Gothic and Romantic quality. The atmospheric writing and the evident inspiration from fairytales, magic, nature, power, and history transform this book from a simple poetry collection to a vigorous release of dark energy and melancholy.

Best read in a haunted castle, candelabrum in hand.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

This poetry collection is another pleasant surprise for me! I respect and appreciate how the poet generally adheres to conventional poetry conventions like rhymes and meter, and only deviates when the affected poem features particularly potent emotion(s). Personally I like "The Good Child" and "Nostalgia" the most. In all, a good recommendation even for those who are unfamiliar with poetry.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Βίκυ Χ. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wrath wears petals here; every line bleeds and heals.

I’m no longer sure whether what follows is a critic’s report or a reverent love-letter. All I know is that I opened Wilted Flowers and, for the first time in my reading life, could not complete a single verse without tears clouding my vision and watering the long-parched soil of my heart.

This is an other-worldly bouquet whose “wilted” petals pierce the skin, then bloom inside you, demanding residency for as long as you draw breath.

“Mighty forest, hear my plea.”
Mighty poet, hear our plea: never cease weaving enchanted paths for our souls to tread and our minds to roam "endlessly To a world unknown,...". Keep drafting one-of-a-kind blueprints with your golden quill, translating pulse into verse and ferrying us to realms unseen or long forgotten.

Despoina Kemeridou’s poems glitter like dew on a blade—myth-forged, tendon-taut, every syllable honed. She walks a high wire strung between truth and illusion, grief and nostalgia, love and wrath, balancing with an elegance that makes risk look effortless. At the vortex of her chiaroscuro canvas stands a crowned villain who has mastered the art of journeying from darkness to light, from despair to hope—not unscathed, but unyielding.

The collection scatters stellar sparks across every page, yet one body commands the tides: “Silence of a Loud Mind”—the moon before which all other poems bow.

My friends already know me as an unabashed devotee of Kemeridou’s work, and early access to this volume has only deepened my conviction. When Wilted Flowers appears, seek it out. Approach its untamed realms with an open mind, a thirsty spirit, and the well-founded belief that you will emerge initiated—forever part of the inner circle of Kemeridou’s advocates.

[Tasmin Bradshaw · Rating 4 out of 5]

"I'll be the shadow in the light. I'll never leave you behind"

I'm pretty picky with my taste in poetry but, this is the second one I've read by this author and just like that one I loved this. So many good lines here and poems in general. Highly recommend this if you like moody and dark poems.

I was granted a copy of this arc from book sirens for an honest review.

[Lacrima Mundi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've read almost all of Despoina's stories and poetry collections and I thoroughly enjoyed and loved almost all of them.

For some reason, this one wasn't vibing with me the way most of Despoina's other poetry collections did.

Yes, there are a few poems - and lines - I really liked, but towards the majority of them I felt rather indifferent.

I'm not sure what exactly the problem was. Maybe I was in the wrong mood or head-space when I read this? Maybe it's what someone else described in their review as "lacks a bit of meat on its bones"? I'm not sure.

I will get back to this another time and see if it'll vibe more with me, but in the meantime I can only leave you with: that it didn't work marvellously for me, does not mean it won't work splendid for you.

However, if you are going to read your first poetry collection penned by Despoina: maybe don't start with this one. I feel it's not the best representation of her work and her capabilities. That said, I also might be wrong with that.

Poetry is a tricky and fickle thing to review, so please take everything I - and everybody else - say/s in regard to any kind of poetry with a healthy amount of salt.

[Sam Verba · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this poetry collection, (who doesn’t romanticize despair?) especially how the acrostics were used to shine some light on some sensitive subjects people tend to talk around (and used for a little bit of evil too haha) I would have to say my favorite is “Falling Under” the last line specifically, “Tell me a truth that's better than moonlight, Sing me a poem for the end of us all.” The moonlight line really stuck with me. Felt very “never trust a decision you make after 2am” if you know what I mean. Who we are at night is sometimes more the real us than we are in the light!

[Kenzey · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5 ⭐️

What a beautiful poetry collection. I love love love all things poetry. I love the way I feel and the emotions it brings out of me. This one was no exception. It was raw, beautiful and real.

[Rowena Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let me start off by saying I’m lucky to have been sent this book as an ARC review.

After reading this collection of Poems I feel like I’m the wilted flower and Despoina has seen right into my soul. I’ve never really felt like I fit in anywhere. Not with my family, friends, or work. I’m always included but I always feel like I’m on the outside looking in. Who Am I really made me feel like I’m not so much of an outcast after all.

For Grandpa and One Last Time smacked me in the face. I miss my grandparents so much and constantly wish I could see them one last time, to sit and chat with them one last time.

Scars and How To Tell You really made me reflect on everything I’ve gone through the past 9 months with my diagnosis and struggling to voice how I’m feeling about it all and how I’m feeling about my ‘new normal’. Feeling like I’m a burden on the person I love more than anything in the world. Even though he tells me all the time that I’m not, that I’m everything to him. Oh god, here come the tears!

This review reads more like a confessional than a review! So I’ll just finish off by saying, once this collection is released you should all seek it out. Just make sure you have a stash of tissues at the ready!

[Logan Veynar · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had the privilege of reading Wilted Flowers as an ARC, and from the first few pages, I knew I wasn’t in for something light or neatly wrapped. This is a raw, emotionally unfiltered poetry collection that explores grief, identity, trauma, and the long, bitter crawl toward healing. Despoina Kemeridou doesn’t flinch... and thank God for that.

Some poems read like confessions. Others land like truths you’ve been too scared to say. And through it all… even in the darkest places… this thread of quiet, stubborn hope refuses to die. As someone who writes flawed, haunted characters, this collection cut deep in all the right ways. “For Grandpa” made me ugly cry... not just because it was beautifully written, but because it dragged up every feeling I’ve been burying since I lost my grandfather. It hit too close, in the best and worst kind of way.

It’s not without flaws, though… a few poems bleed into each other, and there are spots where the emotional rhythm starts to repeat. But that’s expected in an ARC, and the honesty behind each piece more than makes up for it.

If you’ve ever felt broken, unseen, or angry at the world and yourself, Wilted Flowers will feel like someone finally said what you were too afraid to speak out loud.

This isn’t just poetry... It’s a mirror, a wound, and a hand reaching back out.

[Tina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have mixed feelings.

Some of the lines really stood out. One that hit me hard was, “Time for me to rise | from the ashes | of the lies | you buried me in.” That line was powerful. I paused when I read it. It’s the kind of thing that stays with you.

I usually like my poetry with more 'meat', though. I want something I can really sink into, something with more layers or more build-up. A lot of these poems felt more like short bursts of emotion. Raw and honest, but over too quickly. I wanted a bit more to hold onto.

Still, I didn’t hate this. It’s got heart. You can tell the writer is speaking from a real place. The collection touches on grief, loneliness, anger, and healing, and it does it in a way that feels personal and unfiltered. I think people who are going through something heavy might find comfort in it, like it’s sitting with you while you process.

I’m not sure I’d reread the whole thing, but there are definitely a few lines I’ll come back to. Sometimes that’s all you need, just one or two lines that make you feel seen.

[Stuart Crossley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this collection of poetry as an ARC. I was struck when reading this book by how emotive the use of language was. The short and concise prose made for this to be an interesting read.

This is truly a work that speaks of every aspect of human ( often internal) emotions. I liked the raw, honest, openness in all of Despoina Kemerido's words.

A collection worth reading, as there are bound to be parts of the individual reader in this short book.

[Shelby · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. The emotion is there when you have the acrostics you can see that each word was used to bring together what the author felt in this political climate, especially to me with the poem truth, that one spoke to me a lot. The next section blends fantasy elements with emotions that I feel everyone can relate to. The poem Half i can relate to a lot because I have felt this in my own life. The whole grief section seems like it is relating to their grandfather and I have been able to experience what they are meaning throughout this section because it is everything I have experienced with my grandfather. Overall the whole poetry collection shows the raw emotion that comes with writing good poetry. Some poems I liked better, but to each their own

[Eve L-A Witherington · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great series of acronyms start this collection off before it splits into deeper sections of poetry.

The fantasy section of poems felt very much like you could imagine each characters story unfolding after each poem and felt very immersive.

The section after about grief, really hits deeply after a close loss how life without them feels altered forever darker.

Madness and despair, about relationships with others and yourself, how draining it can be trying and feeling worn down or not enough.

There Was A Time, was easily the most relatable poem to me of the collection about growing up.
How fun can feel drained as you grow up dealing with hard issues in life as well as general life worries of money and work, relationships etc, reminds us how the joy in life shouldn't fade with age.

Another stunning emotional collection once again by Despoina, easily one of my favourite poet's to read a collection from.

[DanNeo S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quality poetry pours complex emotions into concise forms, making it a monumental challenge. Wilted Flowers stands out for its distinctive style; the poet knows when to use redundancy to elevate an idea, finding the conclusive image in the final line.

Through these verses, I felt the desolation of lost love. If I may use an analogy: it’s like someone standing at a door, flowers in hand, heart overflowing with love—only to be met by rain, abandonment, and the crushing weight of despair. All the memories once imbued with love being questioned.
That person withers there. The emotional force is so intense that the mind itself struggles to maintain coherence; thoughts become fragmented, messy, and raw.

The poem succeeds in its purpose. I don’t award five stars because a few verses stray from the central theme—they feel ineffective in comparison to the otherwise concentrated impact of the work.

[Nick Calder · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is someone's unfiltered pain on a page. I have the utmost respect for the author - both for the challenges they face head on as well as being brave enough to put them in a book for others to read.

I highly recommend this for anyone who chooses the hard path of maintaining authenticity and integrity regardless despite any loneliness or other negative feelings that come as a result.

If you are looking complexity of form and concept, this may not be the book for you. If you are looking for easy truths, this is not for you. But if you are looking for poetry I hope you would look for; poetry that is written because it must be, that comes from the place that poetry should come from, and is written without restraint, then this is for you

[H. Nightshade · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wilted Flowers is a hauntingly beautiful poetry collection that lingers in the mind long after the final page. Despoina Kemeridou masterfully captures the fragility of the human soul, weaving darkness and vulnerability into verses that are both raw and luminous.

Every poem feels like a pressed flower—delicate yet enduring, carrying the weight of its own history. The imagery is vivid, the emotions unflinching, and the rhythm of the words pulls you deeper into the shadowed landscapes of the heart.

This collection is not merely read—it is felt, absorbed, and carried with you. For lovers of dark, introspective poetry, this is a gem that deserves to be treasured.

[Mia Sanchez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am grateful to have received an ARC of this book and all opinions are my own 💖

Second collection that I read by this author. absolutely in love. it's dark, like dark dark. you will probably cry after every two poems. but you'll also feel seen and comforted.

"Their Worst Fears" and "Happiness" were two of my favourite poems. The last few sections were also the best ones in my opinion. I ended up highlighting a lot of lines and relating to more then I thought I would.

if you like dark poetry, make sure to read this one! Amazing word as always, Des! I can't wait to read more 💙

[Lisa Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was given an ARC of the book for an honest review.

I really liked this text! Wilted Flowers is a powerful and emotionally charged collection of poems that spoke to me instantly. There were some deeply human pieces, like “For Grandpa”, that struck the most personal chord—lines such as “You can let go now / We will be alright” resonated with my own experiences of loss. The author beautifully balanced all the subsections of grief, fantasy, madness, etc., culminating in an uplifting note of hope. The collection all tied together beautifully.

[Sophie Bowns · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyable.

I was delighted to come across this book in August, as I was looking for an intriguing poetry book to read this month. I absolutely love the cover and the content inside will have you hooked.

It’s perfect if you need something to add to your list for the Sealey challenge too!

[Caitlin Binedell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful collection! My favorite was To Make a Villain. Grief had me in tears, especially "For Grandpa" and "One Last time." Madness and Despair were beautifully bleak. Hope was the perfect ending. Who Am I really spoke to me. If you love poetry that makes you really feel something, I recommend reading these.

[Annette Jordan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wilted Flowers is a poetry collection about loss and grief, deeply personal and very powerful. As I savoured the beautiful and impactful poems that captured my own grief so well I was so thankful to the author for finding the words to express the feelings that I could not voice.

[Uilleam Whitedale · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dark? Yes ... I think so.

Blunt strikes at despair and misery ... and a little hope.

Accessible and readily comprehended by any functional soul.

[Heather McEndree · Rating 3 out of 5]

This set of poems has some lovely gems in ”Mirror, Mirror…,” “Lie,” and “Who Am I?”