FIRST The longer daygrows it, cell by cell,pushing upwardsthrough the forest mouldinsistent… Rising warmthunfurls it–bashfulbut persistent–into the lastof winter’s chill: Shy and white,a singledog’s-tooth violet. 2009
Author Archives: Ciel
Shadows
…shifting, drifting airs with faces and imaginary graces but never firming to the touch… Are you a shadow? Am I? Would you have me real? Or I, you? Shadows cast no pain, no joy. Their suffering is not real, their fading glamor, passing clamor, not much to be wondered at. They neither harm nor charm, …
Tolkien Tribute: The Bells of Dale
’Twas spring again in the Northern Landsand larks sang bright and clear,yet sorrow lay on the folk of Daleand little they knew of cheer. The daughter of Girion, Lord of Dale,lay sad under winter’s gloom–Like enough, all said, ere long,she’d lie winter-cold in her tomb. In deep despond young Giriel layand nothing could stir her willfor …
The Learning Puzzle
Imagine if kids loved learning… Imagine if we had loved learning. Consider how the educational system we grew up under has relied on long-obsolete notions and assumptions of the nature of children, how they learn, that they, by nature, resist learning. What they resist is the system, not the learning. But association kills the love …
Icarus in the Sky
Icarus, Icarus, foolish lad!It’s the worst idea you’ve ever hadand there were others I thought were bad! To soar to the stars, you demented bird,takes more than wax wings, or hadn’t you heard?My lad, you have flown to the height of absurd! And yet, and yet, the impulse was grand,though you never considered you’d have …
Guillotine
I was there–in spoiled silks, sateens and laceon a stage composedof noise and dread…Splintered boardsbeneath my ice-white feet,hot and cold, awashwith human bloodand waste…I remember……fearand sweatand sickness…a kind of stunned bewilderment,hardened as a glazeacross the gazeof eyes embittered,seeing everywhere the castof madness and despair…Of lust and hungerborne so deepit passes from the bellyto the souland there …
“It’s just how I am…”
My first thought about posting this particular piece was that it isn’t in keeping with the time of year. But today I am thinking of all the people who are alone this time of year, who have fallen off Christmas card lists, of those no one realizes have no happy family to gather with in …
Tolkien Tribute: confustication
A wizard and a hobbit met in a little pub in BreeAnd drank together for a while, though neither one, you see,Was in a very cheerful mood, as life had lately not been goodFor either nor the other, in fact! Between their complaints and their fair pints a-flowing,Trust and good fellowship fast were a-growing:The hobbit …
Holy Days
Wishing you the best of the holiday season! Channukah has begun, and there is no tradition more about lights and miracles! Solstice is here and the whole planet moves with it, something that transcends cultures, though every culture seems to have a way to celebrate it. The birth of Jesus is all about light coming …
Tolkien Tribute: SMAUG
Flame surging in my belly, I cry out,and leap into the clouds, exulting:Wings, vast, they span the star-bright heavens! I sail through the night, tempest roaring a storm of mighty rage, a-soaring–Flame surging in my belly, I cry out! In all of the world, there is no othermagnificent as I! I bellow powerand leap into the clouds, …
LOOSELY SPEAKING... 