All its children, sweep and prince

Where among the desert sandsSome deserted city stands,All its children, sweep and prince,Grown to manhood ages since,Not a foot in street or house,Not a stir of child or mouse,And when kindly falls the night,In all the town no spark of light.There I’...

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Jan 16, 2025
The flying cloud, the frosty light

Ring out, wild bells, to the wild sky,The flying cloud, the frosty light:The year is dying in the night;Ring out, wild bells, and let him die.Ring out the old, ring in the new,Ring, happy bells, across the snow:The year is going, let him go;Ring out...

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Jan 01, 2025
Houses and rooms are full of perfumes

Houses and rooms are full of perfumes, the shelves are crowded with perfumes,I breathe the fragrance myself and know it and like it,The distillation would intoxicate me also, but I shall not let it.--from: "Song of Myself," by Walt WhitmanI have to a...

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Dec 15, 2024
Some say the world will end in fire

Some say the world will end in fire,Some say in ice.From what I’ve tasted of desireI hold with those who favor fire.But if it had to perish twice,I think I know enough of hateTo say that for destruction iceIs also greatAnd would suffice.--Fire and Ic...

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Dec 01, 2024
While the process of becoming lost is usually

"While the process of becoming lost is usually a lot of fun, the entertainment value diminishes rapidly once the act is accomplished."--Patrick McManus--A Fine and Pleasant MiseryIf you haven't read any of the Patrick McManus books of short stories a...

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Nov 16, 2024
Stories of death, candy, apples, and a party

I only received a few entries in the Halloween story contest. They're short, so I've put them right into the newsletter for your reading pleasure. Please drop me a note with your vote for your favorite so I can send the lucky winner one of my books....

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Nov 01, 2024
Fire in his glance, and wildness in his breast

"Fire in his glance, and wildness in his breast,He feels all his former self possest;He bounds--he flies--until his footsteps reachThe verge where ends the cliff and begins the beach..."--Lord Byron -- "The Corsair"Before I get to my thoughts on "Pow...

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Oct 16, 2024
Accept the challenges so that you may feel

"Accept the challenges so that you may feel the exhilaration of victory." - General George S. PattonSpeaking of challenges - don't forget to submit your entry in the short story contest. Not to exceed 350 words and must include a Halloween story feat...

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Oct 02, 2024
Success consists in going from failure

Winston Churchill is credited with saying, "Success consists in going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm."I've had a recent success with one short story and have finished the draft of another. My story, "Freedom on Wheels" will appear...

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Sep 16, 2024
Do not tempt me! Pity and power

"Do not tempt me! For I do not wish to become like the Dark Lord himself. Yet the way of the Ring to my heart is by pity, pity for weakness and the desire of strength to do good. Do not tempt me! I dare not take it, not even to keep it safe, unused....

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Sep 02, 2024