“In dark poetry we share in the ancient knowledge that the darkest of poetry shines a light on the greatest truth.” Peter Saloman

It’s rainy and cool in Florida, this weekend before Halloween. The cypress needles are turning a rusty brown. Strange birds are calling in the swamp, traveling south away from places where Autumn is stripping the trees. It’s the perfect time to read poetry that chills the blood and breaks your heart.

This year, the cover of the HWA Poetry Showcase Volume IX pays tribute to Peter Saloman, the founder of the HWA Showcase and National Dark Poetry Day. I’m honored to have a poem in the Showcase alongside some of my favorite poets. Much like the quote above, my poem “Reasons Why You Can’t Go Out To Play Alone” came from writing about what scares me, and how fear can twist us until we break.