The Horror

Blackout poetry created from H.P. Lovecraft's "The Call of Cthulhu"

For the second day of

V. Walker | Poet

’s Poetry Month Challenge, she tasked poets to write something called a “blackout poem” in which words are removed from an existing piece to create something new.

Above is my entry, in which I used H.P. Lovecraft’s “The Call of Cthulhu,” to create my blackout poem. Below is the final poem. Please enjoy!

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The Horror

The most merciful thing, 
in black seas of infinity, 
meant that we should voyage far. 

The sciences harmed us little, 
but dissasociated knowledge,
will open up terrifying vistas of reality.
And our position therein. 

We shall either go mad 
from the revelation,
or flee, 
into the peace and safety of a new dark age. 

The awesome grandeur of the cosmic cycle, 
have hinted at strange survivals, 
which would freeze the blood, 
if not masked by bland optimism. 

But it is not from them, 
the single glimpse of forbidden aeons. 
I dream of it. 
That glimpse. 

Like all glimpses of truth,
An accidental piecing together of separate things. 
I hope that no one will accomplish this piecing out. 
I shall never knowingly supply a link in so hideous a chain. 

My knowledge of the thing began in the winter,
as an authority on ancient inscriptions. 
The professor has been stricken,
whilst returning from the Newport boat. 

Physicians were unable, 
to find any visible disorder. 
I am inclined to wonder, 
And more than wonder. 

Thanks for Reading! Here’s Your Musical Pairing

Listen to this track after reading, like pairing a glass of wine with dinner.