I chose the Lauren Daigle song, not for its religious implications, but because I wanted music that gives HOPE, and most of this song does exactly that.

Good stuff. Empowering with its message to the masses that can take the time and embrace it.

This would be my favorite sonnet I read from you so far. So powerful, so moving, and unfortunately true… Though, we women struggle more around the world, but I couldn’t help but see this as the test any human would have. I have to admit that I’m one of those who could/can not lose Faith no matter how much I’ve went/go through, I have to admit too, that it’s NOT easy when everything screams the otherwise. no one can live without having a certain belief in anything, and I’m not only speaking religiously here. You put all your emotions here, from anger to despair to empathy and compassion to HOPE… Great poem my friend, Thank You 💕

When I think about this oppression, and see how real it is, it becomes too hurtful, too much to take. Two issues that have fueled my revolutionary desires and dreams for a different and better world are the oppression of Black people and the oppression of half of humanity that are female. Your short comment is deeply felt, thank you.

Thank you Light. I took and appreciated very much the depth of what you have said. I think everyone has a “faith” and belief, even if it is just a negative self centered one. For me the question is how do we use it? Do we use it to change the ugliness around us? Or do we use it to hide us from this ugliness? I write poetry that is aesthetic and yet make the reader feel, feel alive, feel hope, feel that we humans can affect everything around us and this can spread far beyond the space we occupy at any given time. Oscar Wilde once said, “We all are living in the gutter; but some of us are looking at the stars.” I think he should have added, “And those of us who can see the stars find the ways to allow others to see the stars as well.”

I am happy you found this poem and left me this beautiful comment.

This is inspiring. Like the phoenix you will rise from the ashes. More resilient experience and wise. Love that stanza

How does that quote go? “To thy own self be true”? From Shakespeare’s “Hamlet”, I believe. As I was reading your poem Sappho, I thought, who else could we be, but ourselves. We may conform to social norm, but this would still be our choice to do so, still ourself, no one else. I think it is sometimes very hard to buck the system, to do the right thing. Someone or something may guide your thinking and or actions, but it is still you, yourself who decides to do this. In reading your poem, I arrived at Hamlet and thought, who else could I be but myself. And then I thought, even rising from the ashes has consequences and responsibilities. I think perhaps another question might be, are we willing to own up to those responsibilities and consequences?

I enjoyed reading your poem Sappho, it gave me a lot to consider. And it also made me appreciate who I am and want to be. Thank you for sharing.

Curt

Too few essay such thoughts, thank you for echoing truths we are forgetting 🌼

Being human is a poisoned chalice from which we all drink.It can give so much but demands a fee.
Your poem goes do a deeper problem about how mindlessly we wander through our precious days.
Well done Elke 🙏

Fun Fact: I burned my feet pretty bad in a fire when I was a kid. It sucked. LOL. It was just one of several shitty things I endured. Yet it did indeed make me a stronger person as I grew up. We choose our outlook. And that outlook finds the path.
Your write is an awesome testament to that. It could be printed and carried in one’s pocket before undertaking a particular task. This is a great example as to why we write. It builds our character, too.
Very inspiring write.

When the high waves of life try to drown you, you have only two options- to give up or to mobilize all your resources and swim! In the process of learning to swim and standing up for myself, I learned many great lessons about gratitude, forgiveness, and the importance of helping and loving one another.
Thank you so much for sharing a glimpse of your personal experience, and of course for your kind comment, dear Her!

Very motivating. The world will kick your butt if you let it. Great ink.

A truly magical and inspiring piece of poetry Elke. You have a gift when you write poetry. Nice work.

You are a fabulous writer Elke.
It’s always nice to fall into the cooling water.💚

It does take courage to go against the norm.
You don’t know what you’re made of until it turns messy.
But that feeling of getting burned is its own form of motivation.
To rise in spite of having the wind nocked out of you.
Righteous write!

Powerfully penned, Elke. Excellent write my friend very inspirational indeed. Appreciate you.

Damian

Nice set up. Can’t wait to read the rest

Powerfully penned, Benjamin. I concur with Fia, excellent write my friend. Appreciate you.

Damian

thunder, now passed,
praising rain on a lean-to…
this high & sky
full of mist & wist,

satisfied shine, rich
with daggered eyes in flight…
earth & alighted, poor
with cosmic delusion…

cockatrice glare
through fog & moon.

‘thunder, now passed,
praising rain on a lean-to…
this high & sky
full of mist & wist,

satisfied shine, rich
with daggered eyes in flight…
earth & alighted, poor
with cosmic delusion…

cockatrice glare
through fog & moon.’

Superbly but subtly visual, pensive yet explicit? Why not, sez I.

Phenomenally penned, Tim. You’re a great storyteller my friend, felt like a western to me. Excellent write. Appreciate you.

Damian

This does give a western vibe. I like the listening to the tree to hear the screaming.

I normally do not read the short story section, but I was curious, so…
Revenge is sometimes blinding. This write shows that to be true.
Your story reads fluid, interesting, carrying the scenes forward really well. The epilogue (of sorts) leaves the reader pondering, perhaps for a continuation.
Great write, Tim.

This was very engaging. Some of those dead have unfinished business. Great ink.

Hi Tim!
This reminds me of an episode of Hell on Wheels! And the pic really reinforces the tone of the story.
Gritty with emotion and guns. How it was back then. Black and white with a lot of dust instead of grey.
Truly enjoyed the read amigo. It’s nice seeing friends post in different categories.

Tim you have mastered the art of putting so much action, plot development, and powerfully emotional story telling into the short story form. This takes you into the heart of Joshua and his tragic mistake leading to his ending. Gritty and strong telling of this tale that engaged me as I read. Not a line wasted. A perfect economy of words that brings this tale home in a big way.

John

You’re in the no judgement zone!

They are nice panties aren’t they.?

Thanks for reading and commenting.

💋