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RICHARD "Rascal" JENKINSOffline

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      The Dragon’s Lair

      © 2025 The Dragon’s LairBy FlatDaddy If you squinted a little, Waco, Texas in 1955 looked quite like one of those quaint, almost country big towns, you’d see on the cover of “The Saturday Evening Post.” It was a quiet Baptist...

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      • Okay, I was the older sibling, and I would never do something like that to my sister. Sure, we fought but that was normal. To make you believe he was taken by someone and hurt or killed was mean. Good story

        • True story, too. And boys are very different — at least in Texas, at least in military families. Larry now is a very gentle man who would do anything for me — or anyone else, for that matter. Thanks for your comments.

      • What doesn’t kill ya makes you tougher? While we didn’t have a lair like yours, our favorite swimming hole had raw sewage draining into it. I love these kinds of tales, as you know. An entertaining story, for certain.

        • Thanks, Sam, as always, though I’ll never catch up to you. But I have become a tough old bird over all these years. Doesn’t keep me from squawking now and then, though.

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      Autumn Blues

      Autumn Blues   The leaves dress up for the last dance In their pretty and colorful robes  They prepare for the final performance   Without hesitation or regrets They loosen their grip from the twigs  To float gracefully to the ground    Leaves remind us of a fundamental truth When...

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      • Your autumn melancholy is eloquent and flows unhindered, Sappho. If we, like the leaves, could let go we would be more free and happier.. I like to think, anyway. “Until death embraces you again”, that line evokes a strange though peaceful reaction within me. All things return to their original state, which I guess in the case of living things is nonexistence. Only my take on things. A joy to read and very thought provoking piece.

        Clay

        • Thank you very much for your kind comment, Clay! Yes I agree, all things and beings must go back to their origin after death. In my opinion, this doesn’t have to be back to non-existence. Maybe we just go back to rest for a while, until we come again to learn and develop until we have understood our lessons…

      • Greetings Elke. What a marvelous piece of poetry my friend. I absolutely love this time of year. I don’t look at this time of the year as the end but the beginning. Peace & tranquility with cooler temperatures and an appreciation for nature. Stellar write as always!

        • Yes, autumn is a wonderful season, not only because of the cooler temperatures. It shows us that every stage of life has its own beauty. And I think it gives us hope. Not only the seasons but all of life follows a cyclic structure of birth, growing, riping, death and rebirth. Maybe human life, too. Thank you so much for your awesome comment, deer Keith!

      • I like the idea of embracing shadows, not everything needs to be terrifying.
        Nature shows us how to accept change gracefully.
        Wonderful write.

      • An especially brilliant line: “…Until death embraces you again.”

      • Beautifully penned, Elke. Such an amazing write my friend. Appreciate you.

        Damian

      • Autumn is the best season. Besides the beauty of it, it’s also about reflection and preparation. It’s the kindest season, too.
        As per your usual, this is a strong write, with great details to capture the readers interest.
        Many writers say that they write for themselves. That is only partially true. We also write/post to be seen somewhat. And we describe what we see, feel, etc. You write like a leader. A gentleness in your guidance through your poetry.

      • Autumn, when color is the harbinger of death and the bleakness of Winter. I think it is true, you don’t really appreciate living until you have seen death. Most people see Autumn as a cyclic event, but this is not true. It’s more the contradiction of all life in which death is a fundamental element within it, and until it becomes dominant over life. And ironically, we humans are the only life form on the planet that contemplates our lives and our deaths. We are amazing creatures and should not waste one precious second of our lives thinking about our inner lives when the whole world stands before us and we have the responsibility to make it better for the next generation.

        Thank you Sappho, for your amazing poem.
        -Curt

        • You are right, dear Curt. Human is the only creature that is conscious of its own death. It is precisely this finitude that gives meaning to our lives. We are here on earth only for a short time, we shouldn’t waste it and concentrate on the things that really matter like love and compassion which contribute to the well-being of all of humankind.
          Thank you very much for your gracious comment! 🙏🏼

      • We all reach for the sky only to be brought back down to the ground. Wonderful ink.

      • So eloquent and delicate with your language here. Like a leaf feathering to the ground.

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      FlatDaddy wrote a new post

      To My Daughter

      To My DaughterBy FlatDaddyRight now you're busy growing toesand limiting your mother's wardrobe --a tiny sailor floating in your own private sea,the only creature in your world.And yet, tonight, you are surrounded by friends,Good friends who bring you your...

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      FlatDaddy wrote a new post

      Desert Wishes

      Funny thins kin happen out on the desert. Even when you got plenty a grub an a wide-brimmed hat to keep the sun from bakin yer brains, it’s not too unusual to see somthin well -- difrent.When Cooter Ryan...

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      • This story started out funny but by the end it got sad and dark … Indeed, a story of true friendship. One friend wanted the other to hear him and the deaf friend wanted to find the other in the desert.
        I found it funny how the devil-coyote spoke with a Texan accent, too! 😀

        Al

        • I used to have an audio of this one, but it disappeared. I hope you got my reply to your comment about Rabbit Jack; I ;eft a link to an Audio version so you can hear the accent.

          By the way, the coyote didn’t speak that way; Cooter is telling the story, so it is him you hear. 🙂

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      FlatDaddy wrote a new post

      Of Elephants and Toads

      Of Elephants and ToadsDid you know that Austin, Texas was once the only place in the world where elephants could be found?In fact, in 1742, Austin had more elephants than people. The majestic beasts lived along the banks of...

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