The Carrion of Songs: Illustrations by Amy Siever

by Amber Showalter, Amy Siever (Illustrator)

Amber Showalter's debut collection of poetry takes the reader on a harrowing yet heartfelt journey. From the bedside of a dying hospital patient ("Obituary") to the small-town bar in everyone's hometown ("Hiraeth"), from a haunted empty parking lot ("Ghost in the Parking Lot") to the bottom of numerous wine bottles (multiple poems), Showalter's writing is merciless yet vulnerable. She is not afraid to tell the reader exactly where she's been. Haunting illustrations by artist Amy Siever amplify the raw beauty in The Carrion of Songs.

147 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 9, 2022

About the author

Born to be a rock star, but also born completely tone deaf, Amber Showalter learned early on to use written word as a weapon, as an epitaph, as her own spoken siren song.

A self-proclaimed Type-A punk, world traveler and ex-model, Amber now makes a living as a broken heart nurse in Virginia. She has been writing poetry since she was fifteen. "The Carrion of Songs" is her first collection.

Reviews

[C.J. Pearson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful, Lyrical, Magical

These poems and verse take you places, both far to the edges of the Human condition, and near… closer than your soul might find comfort in. But it’s very much worth the read, and the journey.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Completely blown away by this work of art! Poetry is not my niche, I have never even had the urge to read a book of poetry just for the sake of reading it, but decided to give it a shot on a whim as the writer is a member of a book group I’m in. I highly recommend, even if poetry isn’t your thing.

[Ben Ditmars · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pulsars aren’t stars. Or at least they aren’t living, breathing stars. They are the byproduct of stellar death. Perhaps so dense, magnetic and strong they can almost be black holes. Pulses emanate radiation, like a song. A dying song. Amber Showalter weaves a tapestry from pain you can almost hear from space itself. Carrion of Songs is intense. There will be moments you pause and lose yourself in thought. Perhaps her recollections will keep you awake, unable to sleep. It could be the performance poet in her that brings words to life with such vigor. It could be the depth of her experience and sorrow. Either way, you will see the world a different, way. And be better for it.

[Caitlin Lucas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked up this book at an art show that Amber was in. This is such a beautiful collection of poetry. I always find myself connecting to her writings one way or another because it seems as if we've experienced similar things. I love how these poems are raw and clever and read almost like a song. The last lines of each poem come with a good punch and pluck on your heart strings. This an amazing read for anyone who has simply lived life and experienced the heartache and sorrows that come along with it.