War Paint

by Charles Joseph

War Paint is a collection of twelve poems written at the close of Charles Joseph's two-year exile in Weehawken, NJ. Painfully honest, these poems are a chronicle of his experiences during that period, but the themes are universal - love, loss, anger, fear, disappointment, and hope. Although this chapbook was emotionally and creatively difficult to complete, it helped Charles grow not only as a writer, but also as a human being. A small victory perhaps, but at this point he’ll take what he can get.​

First published March 1, 2013

About the author

Charles Joseph lives and writes deep in the heart of New Jersey. Peppered by a battery of life experiences—good, great, bad, and worse—Charles is the author of NO OUTLET (a novel), a number poetry chapbooks that have been well received, and Chameleon Omnibus Unum 2012-2016 a collection of poems and stories. His poems, short stories, and creative non-fiction have appeared in various literary journals and online magazines. Visit him at www.charlesjosephlit.com

Reviews

[Kendall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charles Joseph's "War Paint" is a fine debut, even if sometimes he is grasping just over the water that is engulfing him in these poems. "Fear Of Boredom" and "Fireball" showcase his evolution from metaphor heavy, deeply personal verse into more of a conversational and observational poet. That is not to say that "War Paint" is without merit. This chapbook starts and ends strongly, and sets the stage for the next chapter of his personal and poetic life.