Lovecraft and Stevie and Vastness and Horror
Mr. King understood you in his brain
but in his heart remained a little boy.
So such as he are fated to remain.
Mr. King understood: you, in his brain,
inspired more thrills than most books can contain.
But every monster was to him a toy.
Mr. King understood you in his brain–
but in his heart remained a little boy.
–Tom Riley
Same Old Creepy Stuff
Some held out for a different kind of horror.
Not her: she liked the same old creepy stuff.
Of Dracula she proved a true adorer.
Of ravens she could never get enough.
An alien with skin supremely tough,
a horde of zombies right outside the door:
facing such threats, things could, she knew, get rough.
Delighted nonetheless, she begged for more.
Did pessimists have cosmic crap in store
and existential anguish to convey?
For such dire custom she was not a whore.
World rendered meaningless? She said, “No way.
I’m not a sucker for such vain deception!”
(Lovecraft was here, of course, a clear exception.)
–Tom Riley
Humble Request
“The bitter sting of remorse will not cease to rankle in my wounds until death shall close them forever.”
Like Adam, I requested just one mate.
Frankenstein found that one request excessive.
His attitude was heartless and aggressive
At last. He started, labored to dilate,
Then cut the project off, inspired by hate.
Only of one small dream was I possessive.
My vengeance, I then swore, would be impressive.
Oh, he had opted for a dismal fate!
Creators have to answer, I maintain,
For what they have created. Mortified
By life infused in body and in brain
Fresh from his hands, he waited – then he cried.
I gave him boundless spiritual pain.
Did I regret my deeds? Ha! Walton lied!
–Tom Riley
Dracula (by Basho)
How disappointing!
So many vampire hunters
managed to survive!
–Tom Riley
Lovecraftian Horror
The oppression, alas, is intense!
After numerous shocking events,
The results just aren’t fair.
There is no Devil there—
But the void left behind is immense.
–Tom Riley