Everyone knows that Francis Scott Key wrote our beloved national anthem The Star Spangled Banner while observing the bombardment of Fort McHenry from the deck of a British ship while a guest of his Majesty's. Turns out there is a little-known, unhappy sequel to the story. Key's grandson, Frank Key Howard, became a newspaper editor … Continue reading A Touch of Grim Historical Irony
Month: January 2024
Poem – “The Sleeping Beauty”
I.Year after year unto her feet, The while she slumbereth alone,Over the purpled coverlet The maiden's jetblack hair hath grown,On either side her trancéd form Forthstreaming from a braid of pearl;The slumbrous light is rich and warm, And moves not on the rounded curl. II.The silk starbraided coverlidUnto her limbs itself doth mouldLanguidly ever, and amidHer full black ringlets … Continue reading Poem – “The Sleeping Beauty”
Saturday Flotsam: ‘Alan Wake’ Writing, Twilight Zone, Epiphany
1. I meant to get to bed early last night, but the Fruits Basket post had been hanging over my head for weeks and I reached the point last night where I simply wanted to get it done! So, now it's up and I can move on. Hence also why this is a Saturday Flotsam … Continue reading Saturday Flotsam: ‘Alan Wake’ Writing, Twilight Zone, Epiphany
Thoughts on ‘Fruits Basket’
Fruits Basket tells the story of the romantic adventures of a rice ball in a basket of fruit. Said rice ball is a cute, sweet, slightly ditzy teenager name Tohru Honda, while the basket of fruit is the Sohma family; an ancient, ultra-rich aristocratic clan with a tendency to extreme good looks and a strange … Continue reading Thoughts on ‘Fruits Basket’
Last Night – A Story in Four Lines
I took Miss Helen out last nightTo look at the starry sky.You want to know what I did then? Well,To be honest, so do I.
Snippet: Cavorite Field
“It’s okay," Master Sunvyer said, holding up an airy hand. "No need to panic. I've got the Cavorite field up." "Will that help?!" Hendry asked, peering out the window at the ground rushing by far below. "Of course," Sunvyer said soothingly. "It completely shields us from the effects of gravity. Though not inertia, I'm afraid, … Continue reading Snippet: Cavorite Field
Poem – “Recessional”
God of our fathers, known of old,Lord of our far-flung battle-line,Beneath whose awful Hand we holdDominion over palm and pineLord God of Hosts be with us yet,Lest we forget - lest we forget! The tumult and the shouting dies;The Captains and the Kings depart:Still stands Thine ancient sacrifice,An humble and a contrite heart.Lord God of … Continue reading Poem – “Recessional”
Serpent's Den 