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Published by Central Avenue Poetry
Distributed by Simon & Schuster
Table of Contents
About The Book
“We all have a stage, but what happens when the lights go out?” — A poetic exploration of the masks we wear, and the truth that lies beneath.
Burning The Ghost Light is a striking new poetry collection that invites readers into a world where theater and life intersect. Through four carefully crafted acts—the collection unpacks the roles we play in our relationships, whether with our parents, our lovers, or even the reflection in our own mirrors.
Inspired by the dramatic elements of the stage, the collection features a cast of characters, dialogue, and vivid theater imagery, creating a reading experience that feels both introspective and performative. The poems delve into the ways we perform for others without even realizing it, and how that performance shapes our identities over time. What happens when we strip away the masks we've worn for so long? What truths are left behind when the lights fade and the curtain falls?
With themes of mental health, the loss and rediscovery of love, coming-of-age realizations, and the imperfect nature of family, Burning The Ghost Light is for anyone who has ever wrestled with the complexity of being human. Blending the deeply personal with the profoundly universal, this collection speaks to those who find themselves constantly straddling the line between authenticity and expectation and will stay with you long after the final act.
Burning The Ghost Light is a striking new poetry collection that invites readers into a world where theater and life intersect. Through four carefully crafted acts—the collection unpacks the roles we play in our relationships, whether with our parents, our lovers, or even the reflection in our own mirrors.
Inspired by the dramatic elements of the stage, the collection features a cast of characters, dialogue, and vivid theater imagery, creating a reading experience that feels both introspective and performative. The poems delve into the ways we perform for others without even realizing it, and how that performance shapes our identities over time. What happens when we strip away the masks we've worn for so long? What truths are left behind when the lights fade and the curtain falls?
With themes of mental health, the loss and rediscovery of love, coming-of-age realizations, and the imperfect nature of family, Burning The Ghost Light is for anyone who has ever wrestled with the complexity of being human. Blending the deeply personal with the profoundly universal, this collection speaks to those who find themselves constantly straddling the line between authenticity and expectation and will stay with you long after the final act.
Excerpt
IT’S THE SAME OLD STORY ABOUT MOTHERS & DAUGHTERS
THE MOTHER enters from stage left. She changes slowly out of her work clothes, slips into a tee shirt, and sits for just a moment too long on the end of her bed, staring intently ahead all the
while
from stage right, her daughter crawls under the same covers and kicks her socks off, bundling them into the sheets like a secret. A voice from the wings asks if she needs anything and the
daughter lies
still. Both women are unnervingly quiet, apparently unaware of each other despite their proximity. It’s the same old story. Another round of applause for miscommunication, which was never actually
the problem, which is that everything we give birth to is capable of killing us. What’s amazing is not the killing nor the agreement, but the words we use to describe it. Contraction.
Dilation. Lightening—that’s when the baby changes positions. Drops low in the uterus like a pang of fear, a sudden premonition that this is the closest you will ever be to your child before
giving them
the choice to turn away from you. THE MOTHER stands and begins to exit stage right, crossing over her daughter in the process. She reaches out a hand, so close to touching her.
But she doesn’t.
THE MOTHER enters from stage left. She changes slowly out of her work clothes, slips into a tee shirt, and sits for just a moment too long on the end of her bed, staring intently ahead all the
while
from stage right, her daughter crawls under the same covers and kicks her socks off, bundling them into the sheets like a secret. A voice from the wings asks if she needs anything and the
daughter lies
still. Both women are unnervingly quiet, apparently unaware of each other despite their proximity. It’s the same old story. Another round of applause for miscommunication, which was never actually
the problem, which is that everything we give birth to is capable of killing us. What’s amazing is not the killing nor the agreement, but the words we use to describe it. Contraction.
Dilation. Lightening—that’s when the baby changes positions. Drops low in the uterus like a pang of fear, a sudden premonition that this is the closest you will ever be to your child before
giving them
the choice to turn away from you. THE MOTHER stands and begins to exit stage right, crossing over her daughter in the process. She reaches out a hand, so close to touching her.
But she doesn’t.
About The Author
Caitlin Conlon is the author of The Surrender Theory and a writer from upstate New York with a loyal audience across social media platforms, most notably on Instagram. Caitlin has previously been published in Thought Catalog, Up the Staircase Quarterly, and Rust + Moth, among others. When she isn’t writing, she spends most of her free time working through her towering piles of unread books. She enjoys plants, astrology, the color yellow, crewneck sweaters, libraries, and the sound of violins. You can find her at @cgcpoems almost anywhere.
Product Details
- Publisher: Central Avenue Poetry (September 9, 2025)
- Length: 160 pages
- ISBN13: 9781771684170
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Raves and Reviews
Praise for The Surrender Theory by Caitlin Conlon
“The Surrender Theory traverses the landscapes of love & grief with unwavering footsteps. These poems dive into vulnerability with their eyes wide open. I’m grateful to have spent time with this collection while navigating my own grief-broken heart. Thank you, Caitlin, for the reminder that it is worth it to live for the things we love.” — Sabrina Benaim, author of Depression and Other Magic Tricks
“Many have tried to describe the multitude of ways that grief can hold you, but none have come close to the way Caitlin transports you back into the feeling of its arms. The Surrender Theory is an engaging and accessible way to remember what it feels like to love. What it feels like to lose. The beauty in this collection lies in Caitlin’s ability to detail her truth in a way that feels universal. We all have been touched by the feeling of yearning. This poetry will help you understand the depths of it. It will help you understand that you don’t have to get lost in it.” — Ari B. Cofer, author of Paper Girl and the Knives That Made Her
“Conlon knows the essence of capturing an audience. Her signature voice is familiar and comforting, like she knows a part of you that even you have yet to discover. Anyone who has felt grief and complexity of the human experience will confide in Conlon’s work. She has the ability to see life through its clutter and she will show you that you can too.” — Zane Frederick, author of i am tired of being a dandelion
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