Something At the Window is Scratching
October 15th, 2002by Roman Dirge
ISBN: 0943151090
The subtitle to this collection is “Children’s tales for disturbed children,” though “Disturbed Tales for the Slightly Whimsical and Macabre” would also work. The introduction was written by Jhonen Vasquez, author of SQUEE’S Wonderful Big Giant Book of Unspeakable Horrors, so that should be an indication of the sick sense of humor to come.
The book is a series of short, rhyming vignettes with matching creepy visuals. One of my favorites is “Dance of the Bedbugs” which contains these lines:
“Why do you cry,
tiny bug on my sheets?”
“I don’t want to starve,”
said the bug.
“You were my only eats.”
It ends with a picture of ominously empty pajamas.
Definitely not for kids (unless you want to give them bad dreams) but highly recommended. I have not read any of Dirge’s other books, but now I think I will.
November 19th, 2006 at 4:51 pm
I love this poem and had not seen it quoted for years, it will put on my Website dedicated to Bed Bugs and unfortunatley there ultimate banisment..However I do feel a bit sorry now
Thomas