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Strangled Epitaphs: A Poetry Collection
A fitting follow-up to his unsettling short-story collection, Stillborn Gallery, in this volume Axl Barnes revisits his favorite themes of work alienation, death, and urban decay, through a poetic lens.
Inspired by towering masters like Baudelaire, Bacovia, and Bukowski, Axl Barnes creates a grim, gritty, and violent universe where hope is displaced by the absurd, the sordid, and the depraved. Mixed with the sinister illustrations of critically-acclaimed underground artist Thomas Stetson, this book is an unhealthy injection of powerful, paralyzing despair.
Inspired by towering masters like Baudelaire, Bacovia, and Bukowski, Axl Barnes creates a grim, gritty, and violent universe where hope is displaced by the absurd, the sordid, and the depraved. Mixed with the sinister illustrations of critically-acclaimed underground artist Thomas Stetson, this book is an unhealthy injection of powerful, paralyzing despair.
113 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 29, 2022
3 people are currently reading
658 people want to read
About the author
Axl Barnes
5 books135 followersThanks for visiting my page! I'm a writer and philosopher living in Edmonton, Alberta, with a penchant for extreme metal and everything horror. My novella "Ich Will" and novel "Odin Rising" are available on Amazon. I'm currently writing my second novel, "This Town Must Burn." For more information visit: axlbarnes.blogspot.com
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
March 27, 2023
I’ve always liked poetry, and have written my own in the past, from early childhood to more recent. So, when the author asked me to review his collection of gothic poems, I jumped at the chance.
‘Strangled Epitaphs’ is the follow up to his short story collection ‘Stillborn Gallery’, and is a collection of beautifully visceral poems of death, urban decay and despair.
While this poetry is not for everyone, it is brutal, and gory and exquisitely stunning. Paired with a collection of sinister illustrations by the critically acclaimed underground artist, Thomas Stetson, this book will lead you down a rabbit hole to a world of depravity and misery.
Highly recommended!
5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
‘Strangled Epitaphs’ is the follow up to his short story collection ‘Stillborn Gallery’, and is a collection of beautifully visceral poems of death, urban decay and despair.
While this poetry is not for everyone, it is brutal, and gory and exquisitely stunning. Paired with a collection of sinister illustrations by the critically acclaimed underground artist, Thomas Stetson, this book will lead you down a rabbit hole to a world of depravity and misery.
Highly recommended!
5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
December 15, 2022
As someone who loves horror poetry, I was thrilled to see Axl put out this collection. I plan to open the new year with one of his poems on my poetry series on YouTube even! I am so glad to have yet another extreme horror poetry collection in my hands. Axl nailed it.
August 19, 2025
The author’s style is intense, very visceral and unflinching in its imagery, which is sometimes downright gory. This is not usually my cup of tea as I tend to prefer lighter reads. But I could see how readers who enjoy a darker, more brutal storytelling would find a lot to love here.
I appreciated the undercurrent of nihilist and symbolist influences. The atmosphere and philosophical gloom gives the book weight beyond the gore.
With the constant sense of dread, the author really leans into the experimental side of horror. I think fans of extreme horror, or darkly poetic literature would really get something out of this one.
I appreciated the undercurrent of nihilist and symbolist influences. The atmosphere and philosophical gloom gives the book weight beyond the gore.
With the constant sense of dread, the author really leans into the experimental side of horror. I think fans of extreme horror, or darkly poetic literature would really get something out of this one.
December 5, 2022
This collection of poems starts off just plain depressing then we charge straight down the rabbit hole into gory, dead babies haunting a mall.
Human Spill in aisle 5 beautifully explains the futility and drudgery of life and work.
I was hoping to make a few jokes and puns about the macabre contents of this book but I can’t. The writing is beautifully poetic and some of it is filled with such melancholy that you’re left just staring at the last word dumbfounded.
I think the most beautiful poem was Her portrait in darkness and my absolute favourite line out of all of the poems was “I’m convulsing like a sperm trapped in a bottle of Prozac.”
This was traumatic as it was absorbing and I will be thinking about the subjects the author has touched on for quite a while.
Human Spill in aisle 5 beautifully explains the futility and drudgery of life and work.
I was hoping to make a few jokes and puns about the macabre contents of this book but I can’t. The writing is beautifully poetic and some of it is filled with such melancholy that you’re left just staring at the last word dumbfounded.
I think the most beautiful poem was Her portrait in darkness and my absolute favourite line out of all of the poems was “I’m convulsing like a sperm trapped in a bottle of Prozac.”
This was traumatic as it was absorbing and I will be thinking about the subjects the author has touched on for quite a while.
September 3, 2025
The author’s style is intense, very visceral and unflinching in its imagery, which is sometimes downright gory. This is not usually my cup of tea as I tend to prefer lighter reads. But I could see how readers who enjoy a darker, more brutal storytelling would find a lot to love here.
I appreciated the undercurrent of nihilist and symbolist influences. The atmosphere and philosophical gloom gives the book weight beyond the gore.
With the constant sense of dread, the author really leans into the experimental side of horror. I think fans of extreme horror, or darkly poetic literature would really get something out of this one.
I appreciated the undercurrent of nihilist and symbolist influences. The atmosphere and philosophical gloom gives the book weight beyond the gore.
With the constant sense of dread, the author really leans into the experimental side of horror. I think fans of extreme horror, or darkly poetic literature would really get something out of this one.
January 18, 2023
I read a lot of horror and I read a lot of poetry. So when the odd combination crosses my path, I gobble that shit right up. Axl Barnes is an author I discovered via Instagram. His bio describes him as a horror writer, philosopher, avid reader, and metalhead, attributes I sometimes ascribe to myself (horror review writer anyway). He reads authors I love and writes honest reviews, and he writes dark poetry with horror elements. So there’s lots of common ground. I snagged two of his books, Strangled Epitaphs and Stillborn Gallery when they went on sale for 99c. This is about the first one I’ve read, Strangled Epitaphs: A Poetry Collection.
Let’s talk about a few of my favorite poems. The first to really make me stop and think about what I’d just read was The Barren Clock. The first few lines describe vaginas with no bodies growing around a clock giving birth like meat grinders. The imagery is dark yet vivid and takes the reader on a grotesque journey. Is it a world ending epidemic? Who knows, but I’m all in. Human Spill in Aisle 5…well, you’ll never look at a grocery store the same way. Descriptions are graphic yet poetic. Too Late for Suicide struck a chord with me, particularly the last stanza. Here I am, committed to gray skies and empty parking lots…too tired to create something out of nothing. Junked struck that same chord. Her Portrait in Darkness is bleak yet romantic. Andrea broke my heart. Blow and Go got a laugh out of me. It’s not funny, but my dark sense of humor disagreed. Dumpster Love has some serious bizarro vibes, and you know how I love bizarro. My Pyramid of Books does not reach the levels of macabre as the rest of this book, but this book lover loved it all the same. Bury me inside my pyramid of books…
The artwork that punctuates this collection is as hauntingly beautiful as the poetry. Check out more of Thomas Stetson’s work on ARTUS Collective.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for me. Rating poetry is always so difficult because it doesn’t follow the same rules as novels. I rate based on how I feel when I finish reading and whether I’m still thinking about it when I’ve put the book down. I finished reading this collection days ago and I keep coming back to it. The imagery in these poems will make you uncomfortable. It’s supposed to do that.
Big thanks to Axl Barnes for following me on Instagram and introducing me to his work. You can buy Strangled Epitaphs: A Poetry Collection, by Axl Barnes on Amazon in digital or paperback format. At the time of this writing, the kindle version is on sale for 99c. Go buy it.
Let’s talk about a few of my favorite poems. The first to really make me stop and think about what I’d just read was The Barren Clock. The first few lines describe vaginas with no bodies growing around a clock giving birth like meat grinders. The imagery is dark yet vivid and takes the reader on a grotesque journey. Is it a world ending epidemic? Who knows, but I’m all in. Human Spill in Aisle 5…well, you’ll never look at a grocery store the same way. Descriptions are graphic yet poetic. Too Late for Suicide struck a chord with me, particularly the last stanza. Here I am, committed to gray skies and empty parking lots…too tired to create something out of nothing. Junked struck that same chord. Her Portrait in Darkness is bleak yet romantic. Andrea broke my heart. Blow and Go got a laugh out of me. It’s not funny, but my dark sense of humor disagreed. Dumpster Love has some serious bizarro vibes, and you know how I love bizarro. My Pyramid of Books does not reach the levels of macabre as the rest of this book, but this book lover loved it all the same. Bury me inside my pyramid of books…
The artwork that punctuates this collection is as hauntingly beautiful as the poetry. Check out more of Thomas Stetson’s work on ARTUS Collective.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for me. Rating poetry is always so difficult because it doesn’t follow the same rules as novels. I rate based on how I feel when I finish reading and whether I’m still thinking about it when I’ve put the book down. I finished reading this collection days ago and I keep coming back to it. The imagery in these poems will make you uncomfortable. It’s supposed to do that.
Big thanks to Axl Barnes for following me on Instagram and introducing me to his work. You can buy Strangled Epitaphs: A Poetry Collection, by Axl Barnes on Amazon in digital or paperback format. At the time of this writing, the kindle version is on sale for 99c. Go buy it.
December 8, 2022
Beautiful poetry for the dark and macabre, fainthearted beware. Axl Barnes is a truly gifted poet crafting unsettling imagery with his metaphors. He grips you from the first sentence and doesn't let go of your attention through each poem. Graphic without crossing into superficial shock value, there is equal measure of dark art and introspection in this horrific poetry collection. The artwork by Thomas Stetson compliments the words perfectly.
A couple of the many lines that moved me:
"Your parents showed signs of dementia and you realized your birth would be an aborted fiction."
"Lift your leaden sorrow, my darling, and walk away towards the oasis."
*I received a free copy of this book from the Author. I am leaving an honest review voluntarily.*
A couple of the many lines that moved me:
"Your parents showed signs of dementia and you realized your birth would be an aborted fiction."
"Lift your leaden sorrow, my darling, and walk away towards the oasis."
*I received a free copy of this book from the Author. I am leaving an honest review voluntarily.*
December 28, 2022
Recently I received an ARC for a horror poetry book.
I didn't know what I was getting myself into. I've read plenty of poetry, and plenty of horror books, but never horror or dark poetry.
Some of the lines and topics in this book.. They had me going back to read them again. And again. The imagery these words provoke can be graphic in the best way. Horrible. Grotesque. Exquisite. Beautiful.
If you love horror, if you enjoy reading things that make you uncomfortable, then I highly recommend this book.
I didn't know what I was getting myself into. I've read plenty of poetry, and plenty of horror books, but never horror or dark poetry.
Some of the lines and topics in this book.. They had me going back to read them again. And again. The imagery these words provoke can be graphic in the best way. Horrible. Grotesque. Exquisite. Beautiful.
If you love horror, if you enjoy reading things that make you uncomfortable, then I highly recommend this book.
November 26, 2022
This is the first time I've read a horrific poetry collection (well, the second time, but the first one was in German and I don't speak German so...) and I am in love! Axl Barnes' poems are dark, deep, grisly, bloody, and beautiful, and Thomas Stetson's disturbing illustrations compliment them perfectly.
June 9, 2023
This poetry collection is not for everyone. Most poetry isn’t. This collection is full of great pieces. It’s dark, visceral, and cuts deep to the marrow. I recommend for extreme horror fans or anyone with a curiosity for the macabre!
July 14, 2023
The hands of the clock tore our chests
and wrung out our blood.
Now we're just alabaster hulks of meat,
blindly pushing against each other,
begging in a language of cold mist and quicksand
I'm a big fan of horror poetry: people often think poetry should be just about love and rainbows and it isn't the case at all. Our shadows hold as much fascination. But this poet is not a Gothic sort, he is more visceral in his verse.
There are two things I particularly liked about this collection; the art, which is fitting, and the way the poet tells a bite size story in each poem.
The Barren Clock was a great example of this. For some reason it reminded me of Meatloaf's epic song, Bat out of Hell, with its visual imagery and themes of loss, death.
There is an element of dark humour within the poetry and prose, a gallows humour perhaps, an echo of a cackle between the lines. It is almost as if the writer is saying, do you dare read on? Did I do my worst yet? Did I shock you? I, who as a teen studied playwriting with Artaud as a guide, applaud that. Shock is an emotion. A good one. Go ahead and shock me.
Here I am, committed to gray skies and empty parking lots,
the champion of leaf-clogged gutters,
tumbled over shopping carts, and broken toys,
too tired to create something out of nothing,
I'm convulsing like a sperm trapped in a bottle of Prozac.
This is great poetry, as long as you don't mind picking through gore, despair and so much death. This suits me well, but I wear the right boots for the occasion. I trust you will too. The poet uses snappy imagery, vivid lyrical lines and great pacing to paint a picture of his horror. It's urban, unapologetic and hungry.
I am sorry, Mom, for smashing your
face with my winter boots
and skating on your humid brains
spread on the floor.
these dog days melted my mind.
But I have to tell you
I don't feel so good,
I think I have a headache,
and I'm unhappy.
Hug me!
I like to do an aesthetic for each poet that I write. I hope you will indulge me once more. This poet is black shiny boots with matte red laces. It's the dark spilling onto a city pavement. It's the grin that shines white as the eyes burn cold. It's a shot of cheap vodka, washed down with rain. And it's the hollow laugh of the theatre, who knows that it always won.
If you like horror poetry, gore and a gallows humour you will love this.
and wrung out our blood.
Now we're just alabaster hulks of meat,
blindly pushing against each other,
begging in a language of cold mist and quicksand
I'm a big fan of horror poetry: people often think poetry should be just about love and rainbows and it isn't the case at all. Our shadows hold as much fascination. But this poet is not a Gothic sort, he is more visceral in his verse.
There are two things I particularly liked about this collection; the art, which is fitting, and the way the poet tells a bite size story in each poem.
The Barren Clock was a great example of this. For some reason it reminded me of Meatloaf's epic song, Bat out of Hell, with its visual imagery and themes of loss, death.
There is an element of dark humour within the poetry and prose, a gallows humour perhaps, an echo of a cackle between the lines. It is almost as if the writer is saying, do you dare read on? Did I do my worst yet? Did I shock you? I, who as a teen studied playwriting with Artaud as a guide, applaud that. Shock is an emotion. A good one. Go ahead and shock me.
Here I am, committed to gray skies and empty parking lots,
the champion of leaf-clogged gutters,
tumbled over shopping carts, and broken toys,
too tired to create something out of nothing,
I'm convulsing like a sperm trapped in a bottle of Prozac.
This is great poetry, as long as you don't mind picking through gore, despair and so much death. This suits me well, but I wear the right boots for the occasion. I trust you will too. The poet uses snappy imagery, vivid lyrical lines and great pacing to paint a picture of his horror. It's urban, unapologetic and hungry.
I am sorry, Mom, for smashing your
face with my winter boots
and skating on your humid brains
spread on the floor.
these dog days melted my mind.
But I have to tell you
I don't feel so good,
I think I have a headache,
and I'm unhappy.
Hug me!
I like to do an aesthetic for each poet that I write. I hope you will indulge me once more. This poet is black shiny boots with matte red laces. It's the dark spilling onto a city pavement. It's the grin that shines white as the eyes burn cold. It's a shot of cheap vodka, washed down with rain. And it's the hollow laugh of the theatre, who knows that it always won.
If you like horror poetry, gore and a gallows humour you will love this.
December 10, 2022
So after reading Stillborn Gallery, I was expecting some horrible nightmares like last time. He did not disappoint.
There is some cracking dark poetry in this collection. He even manages to sneak a flash fiction in there which reminds me why I left retail. Free Smiles, illuminates his feelings about working in the customer service fast food industry. Dirt as a character is depraved and manipulative in this short and I would love to see more stories invoking it in the future.
The poetry at the start shows the soul-destroying aspects of working with the public. Chapter 1 breaks down the misery and depression of working a day job that brings no joy only horror. Makes me grateful I work in a job enjoy these days, but he certainly gives you food for thought.
Especially with poems like Human Spill in Aisle 5, which gives a horrible look into how desensitized society has become. This reminds me of a meltdown poem I wrote when I was in retail. The fact that human pain and humiliation are something we seem keen to ignore in a public setting. I know I have felt dehumanized when I worked in that sector, especially around the reduced food section.
Moving through the collection, you get too sad stories of grief that are beautifully written such as Her Portrait in Darkness and Andrea.
Both share similar aspects of the sorrow behind death and show that you never know what is going on behind closed doors. Junked is one that sat pretty heavily with me, due to the nature of the poem. You can feel the waves of pain and despair pouring out of this poem. It is truly heartbreaking to read and leaves a mark.
Familial Haunting and Alina are interesting dark tales in poetry form. Pushing on memories that give a look behind the curtain into the author's past. This for me is fascinating, as due to the nature of the collection you can't be sure what is real and what is created by Axl's intense brain.
As we move through to the darkness of living on the street, moving through the dark and seeing those who have been forgotten in it. Deadmonton, Vagrant City opens your eyes to the true horrors of society. Seeing those on the streets, as people lost to vice that everyone shuns.
Then we have poems like Primordial Patricide and Ester, The Philosopher, which look at the power behind words and knowledge. As a writer, the other short snappy poems resonated with me in their depravity. Every dark and horrifying poem paints a very vivid picture that is hard to forget, but the main one that sticks has to be Anatomy of Failure. This one resonates with me the most due to my condition and lately, I have been hating my body a fair bit. Wondering if the only time I will ever get answers is my autopsy. This grim collection of human horrors and depravities will keep you awake at night, mostly because at least one poem will hit a nerve. In my case several, with dark artwork by Thomas Stetson makes you question your sanity.
The detail of each picture folds beautifully into each poem, giving you a feel for each dark section. This bizarre series of artwork was also seen in Stillborn Gallery and holds just as much punch. Bringing together this depraved and messed up collection for a powerful, dark, brutal collection.
There is some cracking dark poetry in this collection. He even manages to sneak a flash fiction in there which reminds me why I left retail. Free Smiles, illuminates his feelings about working in the customer service fast food industry. Dirt as a character is depraved and manipulative in this short and I would love to see more stories invoking it in the future.
The poetry at the start shows the soul-destroying aspects of working with the public. Chapter 1 breaks down the misery and depression of working a day job that brings no joy only horror. Makes me grateful I work in a job enjoy these days, but he certainly gives you food for thought.
Especially with poems like Human Spill in Aisle 5, which gives a horrible look into how desensitized society has become. This reminds me of a meltdown poem I wrote when I was in retail. The fact that human pain and humiliation are something we seem keen to ignore in a public setting. I know I have felt dehumanized when I worked in that sector, especially around the reduced food section.
Moving through the collection, you get too sad stories of grief that are beautifully written such as Her Portrait in Darkness and Andrea.
Both share similar aspects of the sorrow behind death and show that you never know what is going on behind closed doors. Junked is one that sat pretty heavily with me, due to the nature of the poem. You can feel the waves of pain and despair pouring out of this poem. It is truly heartbreaking to read and leaves a mark.
Familial Haunting and Alina are interesting dark tales in poetry form. Pushing on memories that give a look behind the curtain into the author's past. This for me is fascinating, as due to the nature of the collection you can't be sure what is real and what is created by Axl's intense brain.
As we move through to the darkness of living on the street, moving through the dark and seeing those who have been forgotten in it. Deadmonton, Vagrant City opens your eyes to the true horrors of society. Seeing those on the streets, as people lost to vice that everyone shuns.
Then we have poems like Primordial Patricide and Ester, The Philosopher, which look at the power behind words and knowledge. As a writer, the other short snappy poems resonated with me in their depravity. Every dark and horrifying poem paints a very vivid picture that is hard to forget, but the main one that sticks has to be Anatomy of Failure. This one resonates with me the most due to my condition and lately, I have been hating my body a fair bit. Wondering if the only time I will ever get answers is my autopsy. This grim collection of human horrors and depravities will keep you awake at night, mostly because at least one poem will hit a nerve. In my case several, with dark artwork by Thomas Stetson makes you question your sanity.
The detail of each picture folds beautifully into each poem, giving you a feel for each dark section. This bizarre series of artwork was also seen in Stillborn Gallery and holds just as much punch. Bringing together this depraved and messed up collection for a powerful, dark, brutal collection.
February 4, 2023
‘I’m not sure if I adorned the apple tree in the front of the house with your limbs. It’s not Christmas yet.’
When the author reached out to me and asked if I wanted to read a copy of his new collection of dark poems, I instantly said yes. I’ve never been the biggest poetry fan, but I’m always open to new reading experiences. Also, horror poetry? How could I not?
These dark but beautiful poems often hit me right in the center of my cold, dead heart. Yes, the content is bleak and macabre, but bewitching in its own twisted way. Barnes explores a variety of unsettling themes as the collection progresses. Powerful and haunting, each poem takes us on a new journey into the darkest and most depraved of places.
A particular favourite for me was ‘My Pyramid of books’ - which I felt sums up everything it means to be an obsessive book lover and will resonate with so many of us. Another was Octopus Extraction, No Anesthetic, which spoke to me deeply being a migraine sufferer - I just felt like that poem understood my pain. Other favourites included Part Time Freedom, Her Portrait In Darkness, and Familial Haunting.
I can't forget to mention the illustrations! They fitted perfectly, adding another nightmarish level to the experience. Credit to Thomas Stetson for those.
I’ve never read poetry like this before, but it felt tailor-made for me. It opened my eyes to a kind of poetry that I could actually enjoy. Poetry as dark as my soul 😅
When the author reached out to me and asked if I wanted to read a copy of his new collection of dark poems, I instantly said yes. I’ve never been the biggest poetry fan, but I’m always open to new reading experiences. Also, horror poetry? How could I not?
These dark but beautiful poems often hit me right in the center of my cold, dead heart. Yes, the content is bleak and macabre, but bewitching in its own twisted way. Barnes explores a variety of unsettling themes as the collection progresses. Powerful and haunting, each poem takes us on a new journey into the darkest and most depraved of places.
A particular favourite for me was ‘My Pyramid of books’ - which I felt sums up everything it means to be an obsessive book lover and will resonate with so many of us. Another was Octopus Extraction, No Anesthetic, which spoke to me deeply being a migraine sufferer - I just felt like that poem understood my pain. Other favourites included Part Time Freedom, Her Portrait In Darkness, and Familial Haunting.
I can't forget to mention the illustrations! They fitted perfectly, adding another nightmarish level to the experience. Credit to Thomas Stetson for those.
I’ve never read poetry like this before, but it felt tailor-made for me. It opened my eyes to a kind of poetry that I could actually enjoy. Poetry as dark as my soul 😅
February 2, 2023
I love poetry and horror, and the combination of the two of them together is absolutely stunning. The author has a style of writing that’s visceral, cerebral, gruesome, and stomach churning all at once. Even in the midst of the gore I still found dark beauty in these poems.
These poems really invoked the use of the five senses. With the vividly descriptive language I felt like I could smell, see, hear, taste, and feel everything that was going on.
Some of my favourite poems from the collection were: Insomnia in Quicksand, Andrea, Alina, Anatomy of Failure and My Pyramid of books.
The overall nihilistic nature of this book was extremely thought provoking!
I could ramble on and on with praise for this book.
These poems really invoked the use of the five senses. With the vividly descriptive language I felt like I could smell, see, hear, taste, and feel everything that was going on.
Some of my favourite poems from the collection were: Insomnia in Quicksand, Andrea, Alina, Anatomy of Failure and My Pyramid of books.
The overall nihilistic nature of this book was extremely thought provoking!
I could ramble on and on with praise for this book.
November 12, 2022
Axl Barnes is a wordsmith who manages to alternate visceral sensory attacks with more introspective, melancholy passages. By this, he proves to be a proficient and unique horror poet.
This collection of grim poetry divided in four parts, explores themes such as nihilism, madness, urban decay, and disturbing manifestations of our lowest, most primal instincts.
The shocking, grim imagery of the poems is paired with the disturbing and unnerving artwork of acclaimed illustrator Thomas Stetson. Together they create a dizzying and nightmarish experience, sure to echo in the reader's mind long after he finishes the book. Highly recommended!!
This collection of grim poetry divided in four parts, explores themes such as nihilism, madness, urban decay, and disturbing manifestations of our lowest, most primal instincts.
The shocking, grim imagery of the poems is paired with the disturbing and unnerving artwork of acclaimed illustrator Thomas Stetson. Together they create a dizzying and nightmarish experience, sure to echo in the reader's mind long after he finishes the book. Highly recommended!!
February 8, 2024
I greatly enjoyed this! The bloody guts of stories are poems, and this book is filled with mayhem and gore. I especially enjoyed the art paired with the repulsively captivating bits of poetic slaying. I absolutely recommend this to any horror-loving poet fan. Some of the lines in these poems are so deeply haunting and they just stick with you. Long after you’ve moved on. My favorites are:
“…begging in a language of cold mist and quicksand.”
“Is that why zombies eat brains? he wondered, as revenge on stubborn lucidity?”
“Losing at Russian roulette is winning, and winning is losing. The empty click is losing, that’s all I know.”
100% recommend this ode to life and death.
“…begging in a language of cold mist and quicksand.”
“Is that why zombies eat brains? he wondered, as revenge on stubborn lucidity?”
“Losing at Russian roulette is winning, and winning is losing. The empty click is losing, that’s all I know.”
100% recommend this ode to life and death.
June 26, 2023
Hauntingly beautiful collection of poems that makes you reflect on life and death.
Satirical and ironic with beautiful imagery.
Dark and disturbing in the best way.
Satirical and ironic with beautiful imagery.
Dark and disturbing in the best way.
June 14, 2024
This collection of poems starts off just plain depressing then we charge straight down the rabbit hole into gory, dead babies haunting a mall.
Human Spill in aisle 5 beautifully explains the futility and drudgery of life and work.
I was hoping to make a few jokes and puns about the macabre contents of this book but I can’t. The writing is beautifully poetic and some of it is filled with such melancholy that you’re left just staring at the last word dumbfounded.
I think the most beautiful poem was Her portrait in darkness and my absolute favourite line out of all of the poems was “I’m convulsing like a sperm trapped in a bottle of Prozac.”
This was traumatic as it was absorbing and I will be thinking about the subjects the author has touched on for quite a while.
Human Spill in aisle 5 beautifully explains the futility and drudgery of life and work.
I was hoping to make a few jokes and puns about the macabre contents of this book but I can’t. The writing is beautifully poetic and some of it is filled with such melancholy that you’re left just staring at the last word dumbfounded.
I think the most beautiful poem was Her portrait in darkness and my absolute favourite line out of all of the poems was “I’m convulsing like a sperm trapped in a bottle of Prozac.”
This was traumatic as it was absorbing and I will be thinking about the subjects the author has touched on for quite a while.
February 9, 2026
Crisp lucidity; bones bared, exposed relentlessly.
I had read a bit of what's been called the "poetry of decay" (and more than a bit of pessimistic, Cioranian philosophy venturing in that realm), but I didn't quite know what to expect from horror poetry. Two months after reading this book, the images, both in words and illustrations, still haunt me. Axl Barnes does subversive exquisitely (Part-Time Freedom), but much more often he lays it all out - the uni-directionality of life, its choose-your-own-meaning (perhaps more accurately, fabricate it), its instantaneous spirals into melancholy and despair. There are no vaguely comfortable existential blindfolds here.
I had read a bit of what's been called the "poetry of decay" (and more than a bit of pessimistic, Cioranian philosophy venturing in that realm), but I didn't quite know what to expect from horror poetry. Two months after reading this book, the images, both in words and illustrations, still haunt me. Axl Barnes does subversive exquisitely (Part-Time Freedom), but much more often he lays it all out - the uni-directionality of life, its choose-your-own-meaning (perhaps more accurately, fabricate it), its instantaneous spirals into melancholy and despair. There are no vaguely comfortable existential blindfolds here.
December 7, 2022
Strangled Epitaphs is a very dark poetry collection. Lots of death, decay, and other atrocities. If you’re familiar with his other book, Stillborn Gallery, this is very much in the same vein, but in a poetic form.
I’m typically not a fan of poetry, but I did enjoy the dark and disturbing elements Barnes used. Each poem highlights depravity in all its forms. The illustrations inside really enhance the reading experience. Some of my favorites were Black Poem, Dumpster Love, By the Train Tracks, Happily Aborted, Fatherless Autumn and Familial Haunting. Worth a read if you enjoy unsettling poetry drenched in death and despair.
"My dad tried to cover the chaos with the cement of his gentle smile, but I saw a black memory bleed from the corner of his eye, and I inhaled its stench of rot."
I’m typically not a fan of poetry, but I did enjoy the dark and disturbing elements Barnes used. Each poem highlights depravity in all its forms. The illustrations inside really enhance the reading experience. Some of my favorites were Black Poem, Dumpster Love, By the Train Tracks, Happily Aborted, Fatherless Autumn and Familial Haunting. Worth a read if you enjoy unsettling poetry drenched in death and despair.
"My dad tried to cover the chaos with the cement of his gentle smile, but I saw a black memory bleed from the corner of his eye, and I inhaled its stench of rot."
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