Counting Backwards From Gone

by Kat Savage

On November 27, 2013, Kat Savage’s life forever changed. Her little sister, Angela, was brutally murdered and Savage has been searching for the strength to write her grief down ever since. Finally, just shy of six years later, and one year after justice finally rained down upon the man to blame, Savage found the courage to try. This collection is an 18-poem narrative of the very real and raw emotions felt by the author over the years since the tragedy. Here, she pays homage to her baby sister and bleeds her own pain onto paper for anyone who might need help finding their own strength.

Genres: Poetry

Paperback

First published September 19, 2019

About the author

Kat Savage’s unique brand of storytelling combines some of her own truths with a little bit of fiction to connect to people in a very real way. She writes about ugly things authentically and shamelessly.

Reviews

[Tiffany S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heart wrenching collection

The cover of this is collection is so beautiful. You see it and can’t help but want to pick it up.

Then I read the words, the grief, and somewhere around “10” tears start steaming down my face and the rest is read through the blur of tears.

So looking at the cover now, the long blonde hair; the halo... I can’t help but cry more. I can’t help but feel the anguish. I can’t help but want to hold and hug the author, a big sister like myself.

Thank you Kat, for being strong. 🖤

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t know if I’ve ever read something so personal in my entire life like Counting Backwards from Goodbye. Kat delivers an explosive recounting of an unspeakable horrific tragedy. I literally felt my blood drain from my body as I read to the beginning, my instinct screamed with her and rage burned just as bright. WE DO NOT DESERVE KAT SAVAGE and here she is giving us works of art that raise the mother fucking bar.

[J.R. Rogue · Rating 5 out of 5]

This poetry collection, about the author’s loss of her sister, punched a giant hole in my chest. I had to stop many times to wipe the tears.

If you’ve experienced loss and want to feel less alone, pick this up.

[Brigitte Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

My heart is still aching in my chest, and there are literally tears drying on my cheeks. This poetry book was a gut punch, but at the same time, somehow, a comfort. As someone who sometimes gets so lost in grief that they can't see straight, these poems made me feel less alone in my grief. Kat has put something so painful in words, and it moved me. Truly. Deep and powerful.

[Sarah Barrios · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kat Savage writes this book of poetry in a raw and emotional dedication to her little sister’s death. She holds nothing back and let’s her emotions bleed onto the pages. From page one she had me in the palm of her hand, tears running down my face. Immediately after finishing the last page I wanted to turn it over and start page one all over again.

[talon smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Still not 100% convinced that I deserve Kat Savage. I really don’t.

But man, she strung these words together and made the most beautiful sounds and images. The sounds traveled to my heart and I felt it in my bones.

You guys be sure to be on the look out for her newest collection.

[K · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kat's latest collection has left me speechless. She usually does. With every word Kat's grief crawled off of the page and into my heart. Number 14 hit me the hardest, for some reason.

[Carla · Rating 5 out of 5]

So beautiful and authentic. Speaks to all kinds of griefs. So happy to have experienced it.

[Keeloween · Rating 4 out of 5]

I felt her grief

[Daniele · Rating 5 out of 5]

Raw honesty in its purest form. I truly have no words to better describe what I felt reading this.

[Breann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short and sad

I normally try to infuse humor in my reviews, but there is nothing funny about this poetry. Her grief is an itchy sweater that left me feeling cold and uncomfortable. And that is as terrible as it is inspiring.

I’m in awe of poets that can put their emotions on display and embrace this level of vulnerability.

In my opinion, the formatting/numbering is well thought out, making the group cohesive and enhancing the overall quality of the collection.

[Christina Graves · Rating 5 out of 5]

These words will haunt you.

The entire time I was reading this I felt like I was looking in on something I shouldn't be seeing. It felt too intimate. The grief, so transparent on every page I wanted to look away, but I couldn't.

Haunting and beautiful, she gives you a front row seat into the trenches of the kind of hurt that overwelms in the wake of a loss that is so close to her heart it feels like a piece of you was lost with it.

Kat's words are heavy and they bleed.

Be warned.

[Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing But Emotional

I have cried so much while reading Kat's poems about losing her sister to a horrible death. I cannot tell you how my heart is breaking for everything that they have gone through and still going through. This is something that they have to live through and my heart goes out to all of them. You really need to read these poems but make sure that you have the tissues because you will need them. Thank You Kat for this book it will stay with me for a long time.

[Jenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This volume was absolutely beautiful. It is so incredibly personal but relatable at the same time, and I think Savage did an amazing job putting this together. It felt so real, so meaningful. Anyone who has experienced loss will definitely be able to relate to this and feel Savage’s pain. Even if you haven’t, I think you’ll still find this collection beautiful.

I highly recommend this collection and look forward to what I read next from Savage.

[Dana zamora · Rating 5 out of 5]

Prayers

I thank you Kat and your family for sharing this tragedy that happened to your sister, truly amazing book to remember her, I cried while reading this book, hopefully the monster will get his just rewards in prison, I'm so very sorry for your losses, this is a beautiful tribute to her memory, thank you, Dana

[Darlene Rodriguez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This collection is based on the authors heartbreak as she reflects on the loss of her sister. It’s a collection that will make you stop and think. I had to pause a few times while reading because I cried throughout it. Kat exposed her soul in this collection and I feel like the collection does what she set out to do, she’d light on an issue that can and does affect many other women and families.

[Ashly · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you've experienced a significant loss, read this. If you haven't, realize how lucky you are, and then read this.

I carry around my own bucket of rocks, so this slim chapbook truly touched me.

[Layne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have my own bucket of stones that I carry with me. I felt every word of this book. My grief is different, but it’s also the same. And much like my bucket, I will carry these words with me forever.

[Christina Spicer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow

I can feel the sadness and the feeling in these poems. I feel your loss so deeply. I cannot express the sadness and the strength I see and feel in your words. Sending you all the love I can give for your loss. You will never forget your words will live on! This is a must read for poetry and grief!

[Cathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Raw, clear emotion, perfectly describing the inability to breathe through grief. A beautiful collection of poetry for her sister.

[Brooke Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The way grief is explained in this poem collection is so heart wrenching. This was an amazingly sad collection but I couldn't stop reading it.

[Briana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kat Savage has always been one of my favorite writers. I lover her style and her words. Her poetry has always touched my heart and soul and I often feel drawn to it when I need to know I’m not alone.

This collection is a beautiful offering to her sister and the awful tragedy everyone has lived in her family. Kat Savage writes about a loss that doesn’t just stop and the heartbreak that is felt over and over. Kat truly does justice for her sister and the life she didn’t get to live and I can honestly say that this is the best poetry collection I have ever read. The heart and souls poured into this work is simply beautiful and I for one believe that everyone needs to read this and be reminded that grief is a living thing that can come at you so hard and violent.

Thank you Kat for sharing this with us and for being so real and open always.

[ReadingTilTheBreakOfDawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kat frickin Savage....what can I say about this collection?

From the cover, which is absolutely stunning, to the very end, this book is a thing of beauty and pain. You can feel the heartbreak, the anguish and the love this woman has for her sister. I can't imagine the onslaught of emotions she must have felt and still feels.
These are deeply personal poems that she shared with us and I can't say anything bad about them. I will say that I had to stop after 2-3 poems each night because of the tears and feelings that ran through me. I had to process those feelings and the feelings that ripped through me. As being a mother and a sister myself, I cannot even fathom.
Kat let us in to a part of her life and let us know it's ok to hurt and that you aren't alone.

Much love to Kat and her family.

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are moments in time that will forever be ingrained into one’s being. Moments and events that occur in this world that don’t effect your every day life but once you’ve been exposed to the evil you can’t run from it.
This book of poems is one of those moments.
Kat has ripped from her chest the pain and grief that simmers within every day since her sister was violently taken.
Kat put into words how even the most mundane parts of living after death is excruciating. How the sun will never rise as brightly in the dawn and dusk will always be dark.
This book of poems is breath taking. It makes you evaluate life. It reminds you not to take everything for granted.
Thank you Kat for sharing with us these 18 poems.
For openings your wounds and giving is a piece of your beautiful sister

[Kinsey Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I’ve been able to visually see since my surgery on 09/16. It was the first one I knew my searching heart would run to, once I could. Thankful for the large sized lettering on my Kindle tonight to be able to enlarge and witness and feel the words cut so deep. Kat!! If I could wrap you in my arms and hold you, whisper how proud of you I am for sharing your words of love, pain and strength, I would. You’re so brave for cutting yourself wide open to share your truths. Thank you so much for sharing this with me, with the world!! Highly recommend.💗

[Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poetry is my first love. There are many poets I admire. Sylvia Plath has always been my favorite. After reading this book, Kat is tied for 1st place.I felt every human emotion possible while reading this book. I could feel every single word in every line she wrote. It's impossible for me to describe how important this work of art is to the world. I strongly suggest buying a copy for yourself and another copy for a friend. Whether you are a fan of poetry or not, you will love this book. Kat Savage is a true artist.

[Elizabeth Sanders · Rating 5 out of 5]

You're going to need some tissues before you start reading this poetry collection.

I am speechless.

This poetry collection is raw. It's so powerful. It's heart wrenching. Kat is vulnerable. The pain in this poetry collection, you can feel it. I can feel the heartbreak and anguish. I had to wipe my tears many times. This is such a beautiful poetry collection. The love that Kat has for her Sister. Much love to you Kat and to your family. ❤

[Misty (hellomisty_reads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

You think you know grief. What it feels like. How to cope. Then Kat comes along and truly opens your eyes.
There’s so much beauty in her pain. With every page I kept repeating, “I’m so sorry.”
You know you’ve come across true talent when you grieve a loss that isn’t yours. You feel heavy deep in your marrow.
This is love and this is loss. Thank you for your words, Kat.

[Chasity · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot even imagine what Kat and her family have gone through and continue to suffer today. This was a raw, gripping, and powerful collection exposing the truth of devastation Kat has endured. Never has a poetry collection make me weep as this one did.

[Persephone · Rating 5 out of 5]

This collection of poems seeped into my marrow and bled through my pores. So devastatingly beautiful. And not for the faint of heart. If there is one I love about poetry, it’s that it tells a powerful story. And Kat has exposed herself in these poems.