Good and Evil

Evil may lurk

in the hearts of men

but it takes

a woman

to unleash it

Soulful siren bewitching all

enticing others to do your bidding

taking pleasure and pain

greedy whore

taking all

Is it ever truly possible to reconcile a person

balance good and evil

profane and profound

no

accept them as they are and move on

Originally published September 22, 2010

Blood, Guts, and Gore

Brain matter

fecal matter

blood, guts, and gore

Geesh! The things my friends write

I love them in spite of it

Every once in a while

I find myself getting sucked in

their words crafted so artfully

the build-up so slow and delicious

FUCK!

Sleepless Insecurity

You haunt my dark night

thoughts of you send me sleepless

into tomorrow.

My voice's echo

reverberates around me

it too is alone.

The night's blackness clings

an inky residue left

hanging on my soul.

No point in crying

 only insecurity

to share in my tears.

The cricket's chirping

lullabye for other souls

mocks my dreamless state.

As the world slumbers

alone awake and alone

my sentence final.

As the dark night lifts

ushering in the new day

so lifts my spirit. 

At dawn's first flicker

ember of hope glows in me

as I wait for you.

My fragility

held down so well in the light

runs free in the dark.

I question myself

I question all that I know

when left with myself.

I can't ask my friends

to be at my beck and call

because I am weak.

A heavyness falls

slowly drifting down on me

perhaps now I'll sleep

I am not myself

when fear and lonliness strike

or am I more me? 

Friends see my failings

they give encouragement, love

they don't exploit them. 

Rationality

doesn't always play a part

in how things affect.

For example: You.

Loving you was not my plan

and yet it happened. 

Eyelids closing now

thoughts of you help me relax

holding you in dreams.

Originally published September 13, 2010

I Will Know

Will I know your voice
If I'm in a crowded room
And you say my name?

I will know your love
When I kiss your sweet, soft lips
And you kiss me back

Will I know your face
If I pass you on the street
And you glance my way?

I will know your soul
When I look into your eyes
And see myself there.

Will I know your touch
If I stumble walking by
And you steady me?

I will know my life
When you are there beside me
And two becomes one

Reviews: Dead Mech by Jake Bible

There are a few things to keep in mind when reading this review.  First of all, I usually hate zombie stories.  I just don't get them.  The whole coming back to life to eat the living thing is patently stupid (imho). Not to mention scientifically preposterous. Secondly, I'm not a big fan of post-apocalyptic stories.  They are just too damn depressing and dreary for my tastes. And, Finally, I have a low tolerance for blood, guts, gore, and violence--the ick factor.  Well, I used to anyway...

I listened to the podcast version of Dead Mech and bought the ebook version because Jake is a friend.  I'll try anything at least once and twice if a friend is involved.  Reading and listening were both wonderful experiences but for different reasons.  I highly recommend both.  

This novel is unique in that it is the first drabble novel.  A drabble is a piece of flash fiction that is exactly 100 words.  Not 99.  Not 101.  I tried my hand at this form of writing last year and wrote about the process here. It was a very good experience for me, but not something I plan on repeating anytime soon.  Jake wrote this story one drabble at a time.  Each one is a complete thought, often a scene, sometimes a part of a scene.  But, each is a perfect drabble.  This alone astonishes me and made the read very enjoyable.  Because of the nature of a drabble the writing is tight and precise.

Jake is a natural storyteller and hearing the book read by him was a joy. Dead Mech was his first podcasting experience and he learned and improved as he went; but it is good from the very first episode and only gets better.

For me, the thing that is the biggest determining factor in whether or not I like a story isn't the plot, or the genre, or the setting...it's the characters.  If the writer can bring the characters to life and make me care about them, I'll follow them damn near anywhere.  Jake does that beautifully here.  The story lines are all good and tightly interwoven. But, the characters are real and memorable. I was surprised to realize when listening to his Q & A episode afterwards that he never gave full descriptions to any of the characters.  Yet, even now, I still see them all clearly in my mind.  And somehow I know the Rookie has blue eyes.  Trust me on that.

Remember the objections I listed at the beginning of this: zombies, post-apocalyptic, and the ick factor? Well, this is about giant mechanized war machines in a post-apocalyptic world where not only are there zombies, but the mechs themselves become zombies...throw in some cannibalism and cage fighting and well, there you have it.  Even with all of that, I absolutely LOVED this book.  That's how wonderful the characters are and how fine a job Jake did with the writing.

There were moment when I laughed till I cried; others where I just cried.  I finally get zombie stories--it's NOT about the zombies.  The zombies are just the obstacle for the heroes to conquer.

This book is available in free podcast format at Podiobooks.com and in paperback and ebook versions at all the typical retailers.  Jake is currently podcasting a second novel that happens at the same time as Dead Mech, a sidequel as it were...  That Jakey, he's always gotta be different...

Jake's website
Amazon
B & N
Podiobooks



***Disclaimer***
I am not a professional critic (though I am rather critical of some things some days, but I digress).  I occasionally will post a review of something I have enjoyed that I think is worth your time and/or money. I don't as a general rule put up negative reviews.  Not because I love everything I see, hear, or read; but rather because I know how hard people work on these things and I have no intention of being overly critical.  I would rather just not say anything than trash someone else's hard work. I usually know the people involved and want to do whatever I can to get their wonderful work out to more people.  However, I don't write these because my friends created the work. I write them because I truly enjoyed the work itself.  I receive no remuneration of any kind for any review I write.  

Secrets

I have secrets
things I hide
from everyone
everyone
but you

He told me
what a terrible person I am
he told me
and I believed him
I believed for so long

He knew me best
he knew my secrets
he knew me
so I had to believe him
had to

I told you my secrets
terrified you would tell me too
what a terrible person I am
you laughed and held me
I've loved you ever since

You have taught me
that we are more
than just our secrets
that I am more
than mine

So I stopped believing him
and started trusting myself
believing
in myself
thank you

Stuck

I want to
need to
write
but the words
are stuck.

Thoughts are stuck in my head feelings in my heart
neither can find their way
out
onto the paper.

Balance

There is death and dying
Trouble and pain
Everywhere we look
Everyday around us
Always
But there is light and life
Laughter and children
Love and kindness too
It's up to us
To find them
We move through this world
Through ages and stages
Dealing with both extremes
And everything else
In between
We grow in understanding
As we age
Learning the universe
All its mysteries
Pleasure and pain
Appreciating the happy times
Doesn't make the sad easier
Knowing they existed
And will again
Can help
We take our turns
Being the one in pain
We also spend time
Being the one supporting
We balance each other
Yesterday I was in pain
Today I offer my shoulder
To you
It's the least I can do
For my friend.

Reviews: The Golden Age of the Solar Clipper: The Share Series by Nathan Lowell

Millions of books are published every year. Many are worth your time. Some are great stories. Few have characters that become a part of you; characters you genuinely care about; characters you wish you knew in real life. Ishmael Horatio Wang (rhymes with gong) is one of those characters.

The books in this series--and thankfully there are six, though I still wish there were more--are Quarter Share, Half Share, Full Share, Double Share, Captain's Share, and Owner's Share. A share is just that, a share in the profits of a trading ship. These ships ferry goods between worlds in the not so distant future.

These are not stories of epic space battles, or alien invasions. These are the stories of a boy becoming a man and facing the sort of personal challenges such a journey entails. He struggles with personal character issues in ways many of us wish we could. Ishmael is an imperfect person, as are we all, and he experiences triumphs, tragedies, love, and loss with a truly unique and endearing style.

If you are looking to read about epic space battles, these books aren't for you. If, however, you want to go on the journey of a lifetime, with characters you will forever hold dear in your heart, welcome aboard.

You can find these wonderful stories in a variety of formats (including free podcasts) at the following locations:

Amazon
Barnes and Noble
Smashwords
Podiobooks

And for more information, other works, podcasts, and info on what Nate is up to visit his site, NathanLowell.com.




***Disclaimer***
I am not a professional critic (though I am rather critical of some things some days, but I digress).  I occasionally will post a review of something I have enjoyed that I think is worth your time and/or money. I don't as a general rule put up negative reviews.  Not because I love everything I see, hear, or read; but rather because I know how hard people work on these things and I have no intention of being overly critical.  I would rather just not say anything than trash someone else's hard work. I usually know the people involved and want to do whatever I can to get their wonderful work out to more people.  However, I don't write these because my friends created the work. I write them because I truly enjoyed the work itself.  I receive no remuneration of any kind for any review I write.  

Circular Logic

Circular logic
Coming back to square
Thoughts spiralling
Escher's fantasy is my reality
Pen and ink
Seeping through layers of consciousness
Staining morality
Play on words

Time travelling
Back to the future
A special circle in hell
Love crafted with unthinkable
The future was a remake
Of a past whose best days are his story
Written in the books
I'll write hers in mine

A Friend Like You

I can not find words
To express my gratitude
For a friend like you

I am not worthy
Of your generosity
But I accept it

You tell me gently
Pay it forward when you can
I will. I promise.

You are a great friend
Even without this kindness
Thank you. I love you.

Little Steps

Little steps
Most taken forward
Some taken back
Circles and serpentines
Taken one step at a time

Little lessons
Things learned
And unlearned
Through conversations with friends
And self assessment

Little memories
Come creeping in
The occasional good thought
Sadly, most are not
But making better ones now

Little goals
Mark each day
Simple things
Strung end to end
Help me achieve bigger things

Little laughs
Where before
There were sighs
Happiness is possible
I am proof

Little moments
Of love and laughter
Contentment and joy
Because I have you
In my life

Only In My Dreams

Time to close my eyes

and feel your arms around me

only in my dreams

Sexy Fedora

Making a statement
Face hidden beneath the brim
Sexy fedora.

Your Voice

Your voice in my ear
Telling me to just hang on
Saves me from myself

Your hands wrapped in mine
The one I can never have
Yet love anyway.

Your eyes looking down
Into mine as we make love
Say things your mouth can't.

Your arms holding me
Tightly, gently, protecting
As I do the same

Your soul belongs here
Inside me wrapped around mine
Each the other's love

In the Pre-dawn Dark

In the pre-dawn
Dark
I slowly
Wake
To the sound
Of a soft
Steady
Rain
Gently
Reminding me
That you are not
Here

Because I Love You

Because I love you
I want you to be happy
whatever that means.

If it isn't me
to be your one and only
I will still love you.

You Too

Sometimes a heartbreak
Is inevitable
And you see the signs
Long before you finally
Confront it

When the person you love
Leaves you for another
Knowing they will be happier
And being truly happy for them
Lessons the pain if only a little.

Focus on that love
Hope for their happiness
And know that one day
You too
Will find happiness.

A Moment

There is a moment
of crystal clear clarity
when you find your love.
And in that moment
you see life and love and truth
and the angels sing.

I am Your Shelter

I am your shelter
from the storm that life becomes
you are safe in me.
When the cold winds howl
take refuge here in my arms
I will protect you.
Let the storm rage on
we can endure anything
when we're together.