Parker Owens

It’s a beautiful snapshot of a day that went wonderfully for both men. These days happen; truly. Thanks for bringing one to life.

And now I want to know how that tour goes. Keep up your good work.

Thanks for this great piece on plot holes. I think you’re right that these are unavoidable to some degree. I don’t know how many times an editor/beta or an alert reader asked the “why doesn’t...” question. I think you make a very good case for obviously flawed characters. That way, they can make flawed decisions, thus covering a multitude of plot holes. Besides which, who wants to spend all their time hip deep in asphalt filling in plot holes? Oh, wait. Those are potholes.

Thank you so much for your encouraging comments. The ocean has so many themes and images to access, and they surely fit my mood as I wrote these. I’m so happy you found these and enjoyed them.

Thank you! Thanks especially for reading these. Glad you liked them.

Should I have tacked on a warning? Not sure they went with the spice rack poems, but if they warmed your day, then so much the better. Thanks for reading these!

Well, you must admit it beats chopping wood. Thank you for reading these.

You're very kind. Thank you so much for reading them. I'm very glad you liked them.

Thank you, Gary. I am very glad they connected with you.

Armistice How often have I told you of the tide of molten heat that flows beneath my skin, a flame untamed and uncontained therein which could not be extinguished if I tried? For decades has desire been denied; I drowned my very self in warring din with accusations of abhorrent sin, and still against the carnage have I cried. Today, I waved the flag to sue for peace, as all my inner ramparts were revealed; and in your arms I hoped to fi

Your brain and mine seem to think alike.... sigh.

This poem is one for our own times. You bring out a question everyone must have asked at least once.

My heart goes out to you. Fear hurts, and so does unknowing.

I enjoyed reading this, and you gave me a great sense of place and scene. It feels unfinished, as if there is much more to be said or explained. In that sense, I’d hope for more.

You worked very hard at gauging and presenting the emotions present in all of these situations. This is a really good chapter to show us so much of the emotional baggage Jordan carries with him. Noah takes steps too, to mend his own heart. You paint his father’s outreach well, along with Noah’s justifiably cautious response. His going to Jordan’s house is an even bigger step, though I have no doubt he’s in for more heartbreak when Brody arrives. Perhaps it’s time for some hot new guy to hit on Noah.

I’m struck by the stability, the sureness of Don and Louis as they seek at bring Max into their lives. Max seems to be settling into the idea, at least until he has an attack of memory. Still, Louis and Don are present to support him, and to care. What seems like a stable landscape heaves again with a phone call at the end. Great chapter, and you leave me wanting more!

I’m deeply sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

I read this with more than a tinge of envy. How lucky you were in your college companion.

Words can have more power than many give them credit for. And you have shown this again.

What an end of year blast - at Christmas in New York, and then to LA. Wow. I may never make it back to either place, but you’ve given me a vivid and happy tour of both. Nice of you to let us tag along.

It’s good to get all these things out, to tell those of us who care. I weep for your pain, my brother. I hold you in my thoughts, hoping for healing. If you did not write, how would we know what to hope for?

Thank you for such a beautiful, exquisite, deeply personal moment.

That’s exquisite. Thank you for sharing this.

Thank you for writing about your lives and about the Life. You illuminate and help me see; you help me understand things I barely grasped, yet feared.

Jordan’s journey was supposed to be drama free. He was sliding perfectly well into Brody’s heart and pants, before another tragedy strikes. Now it’s time for Brody to prove he is a real gentleman as he has so far shown himself to be. Brody probably can’t travel with Jordan, but I’m sure he will understand; perhaps he’ll send flowers. You’ve given us ample reason to see Jordan as a man who is moving on, and rightly so. How will he handle the loss of his father? Noah’s will have a much harder time moving on. Although he still has his siblings, he has lost his parents. In some ways, his situation is worse: at least one parent is actively crazy. And really, while he may think about trying to win Jordan back, you have made it plain that the break between them is largely irreparable. I look forward to seeing if Noah can piece a new life together for himself, and to Jordan’s new long distance romance with Brody.