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Noir: [Or, When the Night Comes]
Tick. Tock.
….Tick….....tock…..
Can you hear that?
That’s the sound of the clocks getting ready to fall back. The nights stretch longer as the days shrink shorter. Creatures of the night come out to play; to fill autumn’s twilights and winter’s chills.
And at the edge of this mist infused scene, Derek R King stands and drinks in this dream. Muse by his side (or is she within), her whispered breath caresses his ears, as she drapes him in
“Let the poetry begin.”
….Tick….....tock…..
Can you hear that?
That’s the sound of the clocks getting ready to fall back. The nights stretch longer as the days shrink shorter. Creatures of the night come out to play; to fill autumn’s twilights and winter’s chills.
And at the edge of this mist infused scene, Derek R King stands and drinks in this dream. Muse by his side (or is she within), her whispered breath caresses his ears, as she drapes him in
“Let the poetry begin.”
157 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 13, 2020
18 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
September 15, 2020
Derek R. King emerges in Noir, his first poetry book, magnificently capturing the fragility of life, shadows, sorrow, and pain. These emotionally evoking, vulnerable, relatable, raw, and inspiring poems provide catharsis for our fragmented Souls. Through harmonic poetic symmetry, Mr. King shines the light on a shattered mirror with a melancholic lens through which we perceive our world and existence. His brilliant creativity brings forth similar themes that tread in shadows by the great Lord Byron and William Henry Davies.
The quintessential title, Noir, reminds us that even the darkest and most desperate experiences are just aspects of ourselves, yearning for our loving attention, kindness, validation, and healing. Light can only be understood with the wisdom of darkness, and Mr. King eloquently captures all forms of grief, anxiety, loneliness, doubt, heartbreak, love, and despair in this tapestry of poetic cadence.
Alone
I walk the path
alone
in sorrow.
I walk the path
alone
in pain.
I feel the sun is
setting,
shadows calling me,
once again.
These harmonic rhythmic rapturous verses will fodder your poetic appetite and infuse the senses and the heart with melancholy. This is a true mark of artistic expression fostered by popular poets such as EE Cummings, William Shakespeare, and Pablo Neruda. Mr. King’s method of producing poetry is heartfelt, demonstrating honesty, valor, and sincerity. Thank you for sharing your creations with the world, Mr. King. I highly recommend this book and I am eagerly awaiting more of your distinctive, Soulful literary expression.
ARC received on Sept. 13, 2020
The quintessential title, Noir, reminds us that even the darkest and most desperate experiences are just aspects of ourselves, yearning for our loving attention, kindness, validation, and healing. Light can only be understood with the wisdom of darkness, and Mr. King eloquently captures all forms of grief, anxiety, loneliness, doubt, heartbreak, love, and despair in this tapestry of poetic cadence.
Alone
I walk the path
alone
in sorrow.
I walk the path
alone
in pain.
I feel the sun is
setting,
shadows calling me,
once again.
These harmonic rhythmic rapturous verses will fodder your poetic appetite and infuse the senses and the heart with melancholy. This is a true mark of artistic expression fostered by popular poets such as EE Cummings, William Shakespeare, and Pablo Neruda. Mr. King’s method of producing poetry is heartfelt, demonstrating honesty, valor, and sincerity. Thank you for sharing your creations with the world, Mr. King. I highly recommend this book and I am eagerly awaiting more of your distinctive, Soulful literary expression.
ARC received on Sept. 13, 2020
October 13, 2020
This book, despite the theme of darkness, is an absolute delight. King uses accessible language (which I love in poetry) to create imaginative and delightful imagery that made me smile throughout.
The book takes readers on a journey through many facets of darkness - from human despair and depression, to supernatural creatures that go bump in the night, to indulging passions under the cover of night, and even to the power of love. This collection is enchanting from start to finish.
There are many creative turns of phrase that made my English major heart sing.
King has a gift for making his scenes spring up around you with just his words.
This is a fine collection for these darkening months and any other time you could use a quick read that can evoke great emotion.
I loved it.
The book takes readers on a journey through many facets of darkness - from human despair and depression, to supernatural creatures that go bump in the night, to indulging passions under the cover of night, and even to the power of love. This collection is enchanting from start to finish.
There are many creative turns of phrase that made my English major heart sing.
King has a gift for making his scenes spring up around you with just his words.
This is a fine collection for these darkening months and any other time you could use a quick read that can evoke great emotion.
I loved it.
December 6, 2020
Noir [Or, When the Night Comes] by Derek King
In this four-part poetry collection, King drives the reader through impassioned stages of darkness with “ego eram” and more, moves on to shadow work with exorcisms like “Sacred sacraments” and “Verité,” and delivers us to earthbound places. We rise to meet a “sweet escape...and purge of my soul” in Crimson. The reader will indeed feel the salient pull on their soul in King’s Poe-like poetry. Outstanding—each and every poem.
“so deep, black and endless, just like you...” -White Chipped Cup by Derek King
In this four-part poetry collection, King drives the reader through impassioned stages of darkness with “ego eram” and more, moves on to shadow work with exorcisms like “Sacred sacraments” and “Verité,” and delivers us to earthbound places. We rise to meet a “sweet escape...and purge of my soul” in Crimson. The reader will indeed feel the salient pull on their soul in King’s Poe-like poetry. Outstanding—each and every poem.
“so deep, black and endless, just like you...” -White Chipped Cup by Derek King
November 11, 2020
Author King offers a stunning collection of poetic verse in Noir (Or, When the Night Comes) that captures the emotions and tensions that emerge from the darkness of inner thoughts, wrapping us in their spectral tentacles of pleasure and despair. The poems lure you in with their uninhibited perspective, daring you to experience the rawness of the moment.
Each section of the book whisks you into their noir world of sensations, some heartwarming, some bittersweet and some showing the depths of despair from which there is likely no return. As a reader, I was drawn into each poetic journey, engulfed with the concise artistry of the words. They offer a mindful voyage that I will likely take again and again.
This is a collection that inspires you to explore a plethora of what lies beneath the recesses of the mind and soul. A journey filled with life's joys and sometimes cloudy moments--a highly recommended read!
Each section of the book whisks you into their noir world of sensations, some heartwarming, some bittersweet and some showing the depths of despair from which there is likely no return. As a reader, I was drawn into each poetic journey, engulfed with the concise artistry of the words. They offer a mindful voyage that I will likely take again and again.
This is a collection that inspires you to explore a plethora of what lies beneath the recesses of the mind and soul. A journey filled with life's joys and sometimes cloudy moments--a highly recommended read!
October 15, 2020
Beautiful, raw and visceral
"I walk the path alone in sorrow. I walk the path alone in pain. I feel the sun is setting, shadows calling me, once again."
This is the first time I have read Derek's work, really enjoyed this poetry collection. Derek is an exquisite writer who has carefully woven each poem in this collection in the blanket of darkness as the title suggests. The poems in Noir have a common theme and flow beautifully. Some favourites The Actor, Phantom, Alone.
"I walk the path alone in sorrow. I walk the path alone in pain. I feel the sun is setting, shadows calling me, once again."
This is the first time I have read Derek's work, really enjoyed this poetry collection. Derek is an exquisite writer who has carefully woven each poem in this collection in the blanket of darkness as the title suggests. The poems in Noir have a common theme and flow beautifully. Some favourites The Actor, Phantom, Alone.
October 18, 2020
Scotland has a long history of lauded poets. After reading Noir: (Or, When the Night Comes), I believe author Derek R. King has placed himself among the newest generation of great Scottish poets. Noir is not a poetry collection to be gobbled up at once. It is to be read slowly and savored. King alternates between raw emotion and nuanced observation. Noir definitely lives up to it's title. Even the poems of love hold a desperation and darkness to them. While reading I was caught up in King's world he creates with his words. His soul is laid bare in many of the poems which adds to the authenticity and allure of this collection. One of my favorite poems in the collection is "Black is the ardour." For me, many of the poems brought to mind Edgar Allen Poe, an American poet. King, like Poe, draws the reader in with a sense of irresistible foreboding that holds the reader captive until the last verse. I wholeheartedly recommend this book to poetry lovers everywhere. I look forward to King's next collection in 2021.
December 5, 2020
A Most Pleasant Surprise! I Must Admit, I Was Worried...
I was afraid I would find this poetry too dark for my taste. Some of it was. Ah, but most of it wasn't! Like this line for example from the title: Moonlit Shadowed Seas - "Across a void of passion her love sails from me..."
A wonderful collection of poetry from a talented and passionate author! And oh, BTW, "Enchanted" is sure to stir the loins of your soul...
But don't take my word for it, buy it now and find out for yourself!
I was afraid I would find this poetry too dark for my taste. Some of it was. Ah, but most of it wasn't! Like this line for example from the title: Moonlit Shadowed Seas - "Across a void of passion her love sails from me..."
A wonderful collection of poetry from a talented and passionate author! And oh, BTW, "Enchanted" is sure to stir the loins of your soul...
But don't take my word for it, buy it now and find out for yourself!
December 5, 2020
I love Derek R. King’s words. I’ve enjoyed the rolling, flowing, halting, weighted rhythms he’s posted online for some time. I went into this book with high expectations and was not disappointed.
NOIR offers, more than anything else, a mood that is at once, eerie, playful, and morose. If you’re looking for spooky poetry, this is your stop … if you dare to get off.
NOIR offers, more than anything else, a mood that is at once, eerie, playful, and morose. If you’re looking for spooky poetry, this is your stop … if you dare to get off.
December 12, 2020
Amazing! Must read dark poetry!
I loved this book so much I read it slow and savored every word. Definitely will be returning to it again and again. Brilliant imagery even in heartbreaking or terrifying poems. I could not recommend this book more to people who love dark things.
I loved this book so much I read it slow and savored every word. Definitely will be returning to it again and again. Brilliant imagery even in heartbreaking or terrifying poems. I could not recommend this book more to people who love dark things.
November 18, 2020
Highly recommended
September 27, 2022
Derek R King writes emotional poetry. This is no easy read. I was at times too emotional to continue reading this but I knew it was worth the trouble to persevere. I read poetry aloud to drink in its rhythm, you hear the rhymes your eyes would miss, such is the nature of the English language. This is, at times, an unexpected read. The poet tackles subjects that illustrate his observations of the world are not confined to merely positive experiences. I am grateful I read this. If good poetry should move you and speak to you in unexpected ways, this book has done its job.
February 16, 2025
A dark, raw poetry collection that speaks to the soul.
It took me a while to finish this book because I wanted to take my time and enjoy each one of the poems. They were all so beautifully written, that I wanted to read them over and over again, and feel every emotion from the beginning.
The poems had varying lengths but were mostly short and easy to read. My favorites were "Unfold", "Shadowland", and "Path less traveled".
Favorite lines;
Like pure sea salt
in open wounds,
I will heal again.
I highly recommend this book to all poetry *and* non-poetry lovers.
It took me a while to finish this book because I wanted to take my time and enjoy each one of the poems. They were all so beautifully written, that I wanted to read them over and over again, and feel every emotion from the beginning.
The poems had varying lengths but were mostly short and easy to read. My favorites were "Unfold", "Shadowland", and "Path less traveled".
Favorite lines;
Like pure sea salt
in open wounds,
I will heal again.
I highly recommend this book to all poetry *and* non-poetry lovers.
July 15, 2025
I really enjoyed Noir: [Or, When the Night Comes], it pulled me right into a dark, moody world that felt straight out of a classic detective film. The writing was vivid and atmospheric, and the tension kept me hooked from start to finish. If you like gritty stories with a mysterious edge, this one's a solid pick.
January 14, 2021
Highly Recommend
Despite not being a huge poetry fan this book kept my attention and absolutely enjoyed reading it from start to finish. I love that poetry's flow and general theme. I definitely recommend it to everyone
Despite not being a huge poetry fan this book kept my attention and absolutely enjoyed reading it from start to finish. I love that poetry's flow and general theme. I definitely recommend it to everyone
February 26, 2022
Dark but beautiful.
Superb imagery and harmonic, flowing rhythms from the fabulous King, as you travel through his emotionally evoking but wondrous words. An enchanting collection that any poetry lover should not miss.
Superb imagery and harmonic, flowing rhythms from the fabulous King, as you travel through his emotionally evoking but wondrous words. An enchanting collection that any poetry lover should not miss.
October 26, 2024
Dark and emotive
I just finished this book of dark poetry and it grabbed my emotions immediately. From lonely night to night's of passion and silken skin, and everything between, the poetry speaks out to tell tales of life, feeling, and thought. Five shiny gold stars.
I just finished this book of dark poetry and it grabbed my emotions immediately. From lonely night to night's of passion and silken skin, and everything between, the poetry speaks out to tell tales of life, feeling, and thought. Five shiny gold stars.
May 3, 2023
I really loved some of the poems in this book. They just fed my soul and spoke to the inner workings and thoughts swirling in my mind. And I loved how they kind of followed the same theme and were dark for the most part. Absolutely loved it. Was very enjoyable and some poems made me want to read them forever. I even marked my favorite ones.
Though, unfortunately, there were some poems that I found to be only okay, but poetry is always a gamble, you can't always love every poem, but it could have also been my frame or state of mind while I read those poems. But it is clear the author took great pride in not only creating them, but in ensuring they were easy and enjoyable to read and captivated the imagery he wanted.
I think I only found maybe 1 mistake in the whole thing which was very nice for me. It was very easy and smooth to read. He really took his time and is passionate about what he does and you can see his pride shining in all the words he uses.
Though, unfortunately, there were some poems that I found to be only okay, but poetry is always a gamble, you can't always love every poem, but it could have also been my frame or state of mind while I read those poems. But it is clear the author took great pride in not only creating them, but in ensuring they were easy and enjoyable to read and captivated the imagery he wanted.
I think I only found maybe 1 mistake in the whole thing which was very nice for me. It was very easy and smooth to read. He really took his time and is passionate about what he does and you can see his pride shining in all the words he uses.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews