Parker Owens

David begins to interview himself, through Sigmund the Seagull. A very good monologue it was, too. Of course, there are plenty of unanswered questions. Reading Demian can't put them right, either. How sad he is that Tommy wouldn't really love him, yet so many people have this fear. The real fear I have is that there is still a malevolence out there waiting for him, waiting to hurt him.

Delicate Situation is turning out to be a delectable diversion. Am enjoying this. Thank you!

Citrine. - a lovely name, and a well-crafted Tanka to go with your new aquatic friend. Very nice.

Thank you, Def. these were a nice departure from my often melancholy mind. It must be all that vitamin D I get in the sun......I appreciate your kind response...many thanks.

Thanks for your kind words and thoughtful review, Emi. I took a very long time with the 'downpour' Cinquain, and with the final Cinquain. The 'breakfast' one seemed to write itself. And I love your review wrapped up in a verse, too.

Dear Gary, I am so glad you liked this set. A warm day in the garden together with one's best friend, made perfect by the front coming through...my idea of a lovely day.

Thank you, Dugh. You made me feel that I'd done well distilling Andy and Zander to these few words. The two boys haunt me still.

Thank you so much for your review of this set. The second moved me a great deal, too. There is fear in Zander's observation, but his love for Andy predominates. I appreciate your comments, as they parallel my own feelings.

Thanks for reading these, and your response is very gratifying. You can tell I have some dirt under my fingernails most days.,,

You're quite right; and I wrestled with the desire to pack more images (adjectives and nouns) with the wish to be less choppy and more lyrical. This time, the former won out. I am glad you enjoyed these nonetheless.

Thanks for your really nice thoughts, Val. Almost better than a day at the beach...

I enjoyed your beginning; there is good stuff here on which to build. Looking forward to another chapter.

Garden Variety Dawn sun, two chairs, table lupines, iris, lilies, coffee, fruit, scones: garden breakfast with you. Four flats, big begonias; springtime border planting; dappled shade: we laugh, companions digging. Darkness, distant thunder; stillness changes, wind whips, trees change from spring green to silver: downpour. Outside our bedroom panes stems bent by driving rain; while we embrace together, deep planted.

A great big change for Jason, and his ability to turn Marco down proves that. Corey has no idea about how that experience must have been for Jason. But the reconnection between them is a lovey thing, and you paint that beautifully. That Jason is humming happily understates the very real changes that have happened in his so heart. How can he show that to Corey? Jason may have to re-injure himself just to see Corey again.

Alex's intense mom would freak out a stronger man than David. Then again, David is very likely going to freak Alex out on Monday. But this chapter moved so much in David's universe that his next few days will be emotionally fraught. How much danger is Twoey in? Mike can help us to know, but current evidence says he's still pretty safe. Danny is right, it's David who is in turmoil and danger now. Great chapter, SD. Will be checking for new chapters hourly, save us the trouble and pits the next chapter now.

You do such a good job of making the prompt come naturally to the interaction and characterization. Thank you for sharing these glimpses into their lives and into your imagination.

Such a sweet homecoming. Now the real recovery starts....my heart is warmer now.

How lucky Ryan is that he has a friend who will listen and then ask intelligent questions. And Ryan finally calmed down enough to answer them for himself, honestly. So good to see them back on track, and now let them grow together.

I am sorry for having had to take a break. But this chapter really puts Ryan in the spot. You painted Clayton's nervousness and anguish very well. Ryan feels compared, manipulated and found wanting all at once. Tough to take that, especially after his emotional high. But if he leaves, where will he find the connection he's had with Clayton? Gotta catch up on the next chapter, but this one is winner.

Although I know I'm awfully late, to Rob my wishes I'd relate for happy, blessed days this year, and birthday wishes full of cheer. Happy Birthday.

In a way, this chapter confirms the way things have been going. Twoey seems moderately content to let Erik take the lead in everything, and he still sees Erik's desire to control their movements, communications dating and sex as terribly romantic. While the others see this as smothering (a little 'off,' but not downright harmful), Twoey sees nothing but sunny skies with but a few wispy clouds. Nothing to worry about. Just as ominous is David's conclusion that someone unknown offed the dangerously crazy religious fanatics who attacked him, along with his mother and her lover, the PPF. Gary's strong hint that it doesn't pay to ask questions is additionally ominous. There are too many unanswered questions to take all those mysterious deaths at face value. Why aren't the other women who enjoyed PPF's pastoral visits dying like flies or skipping town, too? Unlike Twoey, I see towering black thunder clouds building on the horizon. Something evil is afoot. David should listen to Danny. Perhaps Danny can come up with something concrete and less cryptic in his next communication. Great chapter, Skinny. More now, please?

A glowing and gentle chapter to fill everyone with some contentment, radiance, and comfort. And perhaps enough to see Toph actually happy. He hasn't seen life that way in forever, so this chapter is a grand embrace, a memorable hug. Thank you for this chapter.

The four of these trace a tragic arc, yearning, fulfillment, dashed hopes. I feel particularly drawn to numbers two and three; the whisper that it's only love is a magnificent end to three. But I also respond to number two...a love sweet and fair to run strong fingers through my hair...utterly sensuous and evocative. The set of four is a wonderful grouping, and melancholy, too. Bravo, bravissimo, Tim!

Thank you for taking the time to read and comment today. They are an engaging pair. There is more, but the next chapter has some very rough edges,,,,now where is that sandpaper?

Thank you, Tim. I am so very happy you like Fletcher and Tomas. They are both so nervous about this, so unsure. Fletcher at least is doing something in his own field, something he can share. Tomas gets the joy of discovery. Thanks for your encouraging words. now to get the next chap done.