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Bloodhound: A Poetry Collection
Can you smell it?
The blood?
The hound can. It will use your blood to track you down. Prepare yourself, for its destructive path could drain you and you'll be left with nothing more than a carcass to drag around. You should seek a shaman for support, it may be the only way to replenish the blood.
The blood?
The hound can. It will use your blood to track you down. Prepare yourself, for its destructive path could drain you and you'll be left with nothing more than a carcass to drag around. You should seek a shaman for support, it may be the only way to replenish the blood.
- GenresPoetry
78 pages, Paperback
First published September 30, 2020
3 people are currently reading
16 people want to read
About the author
Marie Casey
13 books19 followersMarie is often found tip-tapping away on a keyboard or face deep in a book. In her past life, she was a timid, cave dwelling mouse. Now she seeks to experience sunlight in the dream of sharing her words with the flowers she has admired for years.
You can connect with Marie on Twitter @themariecasey
You can connect with Marie on Twitter @themariecasey
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
December 8, 2020
This book was a little surprise, because it's not a collection of rhymes as I had expected from the title, but a compendium of eerie short pieces which are mostly written in poetic prose. The blood theme is present throughout the book, and all pieces are dark, evoking scenes of desperation and delusional, dark images. An entrancing read with a melodic flow.
January 6, 2021
This is grab-you-hard-by-the-shoulders poetry. From the cover illustration and the book’s description, it shouldn’t surprise you that the poems are dark. The visceral language and setting it in second person (directed at “you”) makes for an intense reading.
The six chapters track a journey from a connection (“finding vitality in each other” as told in one poem) to struggles to coming out of the other side. Throughout, the poems are full of vivid imagery describing the rawness of emotion and endurance. The lines of these poems open up to expose deep feelings. Blood of passion and vitality: wondrous when it charges through our veins, a dark wonder when it flows out of us, then we’re hollowed out when it has been drained.
I’m typically not a reader of dark poetry, so this collection was out of my “box” — and I’m glad I stepped out of it. Reading the book felt like getting a sense of Marie Casey’s courage to craft these intense poems. As one poem sates, “allow me/ to continue writing/ my own tale.” The last chapter, which is titled “Exorcism,” describes that experience — but writing these poems could’ve been an exorcism, too.
The six chapters track a journey from a connection (“finding vitality in each other” as told in one poem) to struggles to coming out of the other side. Throughout, the poems are full of vivid imagery describing the rawness of emotion and endurance. The lines of these poems open up to expose deep feelings. Blood of passion and vitality: wondrous when it charges through our veins, a dark wonder when it flows out of us, then we’re hollowed out when it has been drained.
I’m typically not a reader of dark poetry, so this collection was out of my “box” — and I’m glad I stepped out of it. Reading the book felt like getting a sense of Marie Casey’s courage to craft these intense poems. As one poem sates, “allow me/ to continue writing/ my own tale.” The last chapter, which is titled “Exorcism,” describes that experience — but writing these poems could’ve been an exorcism, too.
November 2, 2020
Bloodhound evokes thoughts we try hard to hide
First, let me say that poetry is not my bag, I have no right trying to decipher the fine words and surreal worlds a poet conjures, so for the reviews of Bloodhound I may add little of worth.
Except, that for a person like I who normally veers wildly away from poetry, I found myself highlighting sections and wishing I could convey the emotions and moments of heartbreak, fear, power, disgust, and understanding that grabbed at me from many of the pages.
Much of it I could not fathom, I’m sure only those who have endured the same events could. Maybe no one but the author has. But the emotional events of my own life came into vivid focus in surprising regularity as I turned the pages.
The content is dark, bringing forth blackened memories of darker days, but there is light among the words that we can all find, sniffing them out like a bloodhound perhaps.
I may not have grasped the meaning of many of the lines, but reading between them let me accept and feel much of my own hidden darkness.
First, let me say that poetry is not my bag, I have no right trying to decipher the fine words and surreal worlds a poet conjures, so for the reviews of Bloodhound I may add little of worth.
Except, that for a person like I who normally veers wildly away from poetry, I found myself highlighting sections and wishing I could convey the emotions and moments of heartbreak, fear, power, disgust, and understanding that grabbed at me from many of the pages.
Much of it I could not fathom, I’m sure only those who have endured the same events could. Maybe no one but the author has. But the emotional events of my own life came into vivid focus in surprising regularity as I turned the pages.
The content is dark, bringing forth blackened memories of darker days, but there is light among the words that we can all find, sniffing them out like a bloodhound perhaps.
I may not have grasped the meaning of many of the lines, but reading between them let me accept and feel much of my own hidden darkness.
March 22, 2021
"Even after all we had been through, I would've still let you use my sorrows to strengthen your cup of tea for only a glimmer of a smile."
Bloodhound is a collection of deliciously dark poetry, a beautiful exploration of the mind and the macabre. The imagery and the cadence of each poem is nothing short of stunning.
The very last poem particularly stuck with me: so much emotion in but a few words!
I more than recommend you to read Bloodhound, I implore you to read it!
Bloodhound is a collection of deliciously dark poetry, a beautiful exploration of the mind and the macabre. The imagery and the cadence of each poem is nothing short of stunning.
The very last poem particularly stuck with me: so much emotion in but a few words!
I more than recommend you to read Bloodhound, I implore you to read it!
February 23, 2021
'Bloodhound' is a dark, angry, beautifully done collection of poetry. Casey does an amazing job of expelling her emotional gore onto the page, expunging her pain into her poems. While not a collection for those faint of heart, it is certainly one for a reader interested in emotional release, especially those with a traumatic or darker past.
I highly recommend 'Bloodhound' for readers who need to pair their hurts with poetry.
I highly recommend 'Bloodhound' for readers who need to pair their hurts with poetry.
February 5, 2021
A refreshingly original and graphic take on the struggle of our human condition. An up close and ultra personal witness of a tormented youth's struggle with sexuality and love denial. Absolutely heart-wrenching, encouraging, and inspiring. Truly a masterful work of art.
February 17, 2021
I'm not really a poetry person, hence the 3-stars. I was attracted to this book by its cover and title - Bloodhound. The content is pretty dark and if that is what you like then you will likely enjoy the content. If you are into poetry then this is worth a read.
December 5, 2020
A beautiful descent into the shuddering dark to stagger into light. Such an exquisite little chapbook, it was a fine read..
January 18, 2021
Just read it.
January 23, 2021
Powerful words that grab a hold of your soul and don’t let go. Lines resonated within me and jolted my system.
I highly recommend.
I highly recommend.
September 23, 2021
I really enjoyed reading Marie’s collection! It paints a poignant and painful picture of unrequited love and a heart broken in slow motion.
March 24, 2022
Thoroughly enjoyed this dark, haunting collection of poetry. I'm a newcomer to horror poetry and Ms Casey has ensured that I will keep coming back for more.
October 27, 2020
A confession—I don’t read enough poetry. In truth, I’m a little intimidated by it, which is funny, because I write a bit of it, but there you have it. I’m also not quite sure how to review poetry, as it’s such an intimate, personal thing. At its best, I think poetry is a kind of communion between the writer and the reader, and as such, is review-proof in a way.
Now forget about everything I just said, because Bloodhound, A Poetry Collection, by Marie Casey, is absolutely wonderful. It is intimate, and it is deeply personal. It’s not horror, per se, but much of it is horrific. There are scenes that are reminiscent of body horror, the very words flayed and shredded. As you can imagine from the title, blood is often mentioned. In fact, it binds the pages of this book together. Casey’s language is raw, visceral. Much of the book is centered on relationships, on their dissolution and destruction, on the painful things we do to each other in the name of love and sex.
Casey leaves a lot to the imagination—these poems, some just fragments, few of them named, are open-ended and ripe for interpretation. I absolutely love her imagery, the way she uses language to open and probe emotional wounds.
Bloodhound, A Poetry Collection is not a light read, and may be too much for the faint-hearted. I can tell you that, based on this book, I’ll read anything Casey writes.
Now forget about everything I just said, because Bloodhound, A Poetry Collection, by Marie Casey, is absolutely wonderful. It is intimate, and it is deeply personal. It’s not horror, per se, but much of it is horrific. There are scenes that are reminiscent of body horror, the very words flayed and shredded. As you can imagine from the title, blood is often mentioned. In fact, it binds the pages of this book together. Casey’s language is raw, visceral. Much of the book is centered on relationships, on their dissolution and destruction, on the painful things we do to each other in the name of love and sex.
Casey leaves a lot to the imagination—these poems, some just fragments, few of them named, are open-ended and ripe for interpretation. I absolutely love her imagery, the way she uses language to open and probe emotional wounds.
Bloodhound, A Poetry Collection is not a light read, and may be too much for the faint-hearted. I can tell you that, based on this book, I’ll read anything Casey writes.
November 30, 2020
Hurts So Good.
I absorbed this collection of poetry, or rather, it absorbed me. In it, Marie layers imagery to convey the depths of emotion one is immersed in when experiencing love, and the severing of a relationship. The narrator is entirely vulnerable in expressing their emotions. Marie took me on a visceral journey with this book. There is loss, and the loss of blood. This is portrayed in beautifully painful pieces, in which the human body is referred to as a means to demonstrate the rawness of the narrator's trauma. A series of deeply reflective poems, this book left me feeling unsettled and sympathetic for the speaker, who in the end, describes "harnessing" trauma through the written word. I felt their progression from the first poem to the last, revealing growth, and empowerment.
A powerful read.
I absorbed this collection of poetry, or rather, it absorbed me. In it, Marie layers imagery to convey the depths of emotion one is immersed in when experiencing love, and the severing of a relationship. The narrator is entirely vulnerable in expressing their emotions. Marie took me on a visceral journey with this book. There is loss, and the loss of blood. This is portrayed in beautifully painful pieces, in which the human body is referred to as a means to demonstrate the rawness of the narrator's trauma. A series of deeply reflective poems, this book left me feeling unsettled and sympathetic for the speaker, who in the end, describes "harnessing" trauma through the written word. I felt their progression from the first poem to the last, revealing growth, and empowerment.
A powerful read.
September 30, 2020
When I finished reading this collection, my first thought was, Wow! Then I had to go back and read parts of it again as the imagery and beauty in the poems drew me back. Then as a reviewer I had to start thinking about how to describe this amazing piece of work.
When someone writes a series of poems with this kind of originality, it is hard to compare to what has come before. The only thing I could come up with was that this is as if someone crossed Emily Dickinson with Edgar Allen Poe. The descriptions of desire and longing are captured in words that are not only unique but mind-blowing.
This is definitely a five star read, and I highly recommend it!
When someone writes a series of poems with this kind of originality, it is hard to compare to what has come before. The only thing I could come up with was that this is as if someone crossed Emily Dickinson with Edgar Allen Poe. The descriptions of desire and longing are captured in words that are not only unique but mind-blowing.
This is definitely a five star read, and I highly recommend it!
September 23, 2020
I was one of the first people to read an advanced copy of the book. The poetry is dark, gritty, and raw, but in all the right ways.
The author weaves their pieces like a finally woven tapestry using imagery that's exciting and engaging. This is the nearly perfect combination of dark and entertaining and I am so thankful I got to read it.
In fact, I loved my advanced copy so much that I also preordered the digital edition so I'd always have it.
The author weaves their pieces like a finally woven tapestry using imagery that's exciting and engaging. This is the nearly perfect combination of dark and entertaining and I am so thankful I got to read it.
In fact, I loved my advanced copy so much that I also preordered the digital edition so I'd always have it.
October 2, 2020
I thoroughly enjoyed this unexpected book of poetry. It was dark and thoughtful, and at the same time intriguing. I haven't quite got to the bottom of it or even the core of it, because it has depth. It's something you want to, need to read again to unpack the layers and the significance of the words. Well written insightful, excellent poetry. I thoroughly recommend it.
January 25, 2021
Soul Shattering and Beautiful
I am so in love with this collection. It delves deep into raw emotions with an effortless grace and very unique language. The poet rips out your entrails, sews you back up and starts all over again with each poem. It is dark poetry but it is so much more that that. It is soul shattering, beautiful, elegant, and profound.
I am so in love with this collection. It delves deep into raw emotions with an effortless grace and very unique language. The poet rips out your entrails, sews you back up and starts all over again with each poem. It is dark poetry but it is so much more that that. It is soul shattering, beautiful, elegant, and profound.
October 22, 2020
Lovely collection of poems.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews