After a few days of exhaustion, and feeling like I'm just barely pulling through with the NaPoWriMo challenges, I'm finally getting some of that mojo back! For day 8, the prompt called that we write a poem making use of some specialist jargon, and I went all out! My sardonic researcher persona came through, and …
NaPoWriMo/ GloPoWriMo 2019: Day 7
The second week of NaPoWriMo is almost upon us, and here I am, trying really hard to hold on! For day 7, the prompt was to write a poem about what we would give to ourselves or others, and that just meant another whimsical piece for me. Wish List An old house in a quiet …
NaPoWriMo/ GloPoWriMo 2019: Day 6
Today's prompt was to write a poem of possibilities, and, feeling rather whimsical tonight, I decided to do one about – A Tarot Reading Temperance – holding the scales, she tells of balance yet to be achieved, because the Queen of Swords now holds the stage, eyes shooting daggers. The Sun is out of her …
NaPoWriMo/ GloPoWriMo 2019: Day 4
Today I have found it particularly difficult to gather my thoughts into a poem, but somehow I've done it. The prompt for day 4 was to write a sad poem in simple words, and maybe use a sonnet structure in the process. One-sided Conversation I was on the bus when I saw your email. You …
Slow but steady: Snails win the race
My first encounter with snails must have been when I was but little, maybe 6 or so. I was in the countryside and snails came out in scores after the refreshing summer rain. I quickly became fascinated with their beautiful shells, their considered pace, and the sensation of their cold, moist flesh across the skin …
Early 20th-century Photo-Postcards
Found these two lovely photo-postcards at a flea market in Italy. Judging from the clothing style and  the automobile, I'd date them to the early 20th century, possibly the 1920s, but please do correct me if I'm wrong. They were displayed together with other photo-postcards in which various people from the group photo also …
Variations on the Theme of Sadness
This is a short and (for me) experimental piece, mixing fiction and non-fiction. I haven't written much creatively in a long while, and this baby just wanted out, so here I am, unleashing it upon the world. Constructive feedback and thoughts are always appreciated. (Full piece after the cut!) ¬.¬.¬.¬.¬.¬.¬.¬.¬.¬.¬.¬.¬.¬.¬.¬.¬.¬.¬.¬.¬.¬.¬.¬.¬.¬.¬.¬.¬.¬.¬.¬.¬.¬.¬.¬.¬.¬.¬.¬.¬.¬.¬.¬.¬ There are days when the …
An Apology of Hoarding
First, a disclaimer: I am not going to talk about hoarding as a clinical condition, since I'm not qualified to tackle medical issues. What I mean when I say "hoarding" is the opposite of "minimalist living", which has become so popular of late and is often cited as a kind of mantra. Either implicitly or explicitly …
Skin-deep Beauty
I haven't updated this blog in such a long time, but I guess life and work have a habit of getting in the way. Well, this weekend I've finally done something properly new that broke the monotony of habit, and now I'm itching to write about it. I went to a taxidermy workshop. That's right, taxidermy, where you …
A Dialogue Postcard
The Pyromaniac and the Salamander You burn me. They say if you die in flames, your shadow burns with you and so you may not enter heaven. I am heaven. I burn you because I am incandescent, in me you have your greatest wishes fulfilled. Desire scorches but it does not crease the soul. You …
Encyclopaedia Vanitatum 