BendtedWreath

Everything is manageable if you keep track of it. You just have to commit to keeping track. That's why, if I began your Saggio Series, I haven't finished or continued it, and that's why I am sure I have several multi-chaptered works in my reading history list that I have to go back and finish. My problems: * ADHD * Reading during lunch at work, getting interrupted, and never pulling the story back up again * Reading at a snail's pace * Immediately forgetting what I read a chapter ago (that's why my comments are so meticulous most of the time)

While some of my friends are behind, I know for a fact that I've personally only scratched the surface when it comes to reading (other than events, as they are very shiny and distracting).

Over & Under , A1 (A Ben's Bumblings Blog) I have around 1/3rd of the way to go in terms of completing my first (non-collab) multichapter story (and many thanks to @chris191070 for the multi-chapter collaborations, as I gained more practice with getting more than one chapter out at a time through them. Not to mention they were great fun to work on together). I've said it before and I'll say it again, my passion project took a village. You'll see just how many amazing folks had a hand in helping me once I complete it and give it a final edit. But this blog isn't about my work, it's about the work of others! With each "deep dive," some members like @centexhairysub and myself bemoan being unable to read as many stories as we'd like (namely, all of them... just all of them) It's both inspiring and daunting to "dive in" to read so many amazing stories at once. So, I decided to grab a story from several genres of the deep dives, randomize them, and make myself a reading list. So, here is the Randomized Reading List for my first Over & Under Blog: The Case of the Short Short Prince by @Geron Kees The Closing Act by @Arch Hunter Friends First by @Renee Stevens Primal Park by @astone2292 & @Yeoldebard Aussie Pioneers by @quokka Begin Again by @Tony S. Wicked Games by @CasualWanderer82 Self-Help by @northie The Exchange Students by @Mark Paren All WET Series by @Myr Curing Humanity by @Wayne Gray Timber Pack Chronicles by @Rob Colton Calliope's Carousel by @Parker Owens Crave by @LitLover The King's Mate Series by @Aditus Detective Saggio Series by @Lee Wilson I will return with part A2 of my blog at some unforeseen time after I've finished reading the first half or so of the list to share my thoughts. (some are series and, thus, will take longer)

Same!

Just hunters, I believe. Though some of them do behave like spies. But with this, you're officially caught up in this series! There is one more story to go, though I haven’t been able to work on it with @chris191070 just yet.

Glad to hear it. And thanks on behalf of us both!

Either that, or my skill in foretelling is limited. 😂

You both are!

Poetry must be one of your callings, or at the very least one of your stronger talents. I seriously wouldn't be able to write any like this. I hope you continue writing them, even if you choose to not share them.

I understand the need for a little drama. The world would be too boring without it.

Pity party? But all of those titles were epic to me. 😂 It's all about perspective, I guess.

It's funny that you ask that. You're someone I've learned (and continue) to learn from in terms of writing. 🤔So, add Sultry Sensei to the list.

Never regret creating art in any form!

I also wanted to say that I feel that featuring them six per week was a great choice. It allowed the poems to linger and gave us time to think.

I agree with @chris191070. There wasn't a poem that didn't evoke something, each well worth reading!

This poem serves as both a warning and a plea.

Breezy breath whispering words not understood. Ephemeral fingers brushing quivering skin, speaking to their descendants on a cellular level, hoping they’ll listen before it’s too late. - (Beautiful!)

These poems masterfully express what it means to share and exchange vulnerability and honest intent. I don't think any review I leave will do them justice.

If the truth makes your hands unsteady, I will keep mine still beside them. If it opens something you can’t shut, I will sit in the open with you. - (Beautiful.) I have strength for this— for the quiet weight of being present, and staying while fear finishes and simply will not hurry. - (Wow.) If love endures, it isn’t held apart: it’s built by staying open, hand to heart. - (Heartfelt and gorgeous. Truly.)

As warned, this is a glimpse of when we allow the actions of others to hurt and overtake us to the degree of wishing to harm others back.

A dark look at the choices a controlling partner might make. - This warning gave me pause, not because I personally experienced a partner like this, but far too many family members, and myself. It wasn't nearly enough to get me not to read, though. So, time to dive in. You said you'd protect me, you didn't You said you'd heal me, you didn't You said you'd never leave, you did - A jealousy and anger that blinds, all stemming from a possessive believe that another being belongs to you. I've spent many years moving further and further away from this manner of thinking, as it all boils down to fear. Fear keeps us from making the connections we were meant to make, those beyond that of an intimate partner. It keeps us from knowing our own selves. It numbs our senses, down to the ground we walk on and the air we breathe. Countering that fear by trusting even though we're often betrayed, loving even though we've often experienced heartbreak, and stopping long enough to take some real oxygen in to ground ourselves on this spinning planet... that takes a degree of resilience that builds gradually from consistently standing back up after being knocked down. I say this and yet there is no perfect, infallible method of achieving balance.

This poet is versatile and talented, drilling right to the source of relatable pain and concerns.

Oh, that I could relive that exquisite summer, when life wasn’t about decisions and gentle companionship was enough, adulthood being something for others - (I may or may not have just shed a tear by this point) Regrets, though, devour pretense that my choices were brave ones Self-preserving and stubborn, yes, yet undeniably cowardly in the end - (I felt that.) Pride is beautiful, except when tarnishing truth, turning it ugly - (Amazing!)

This entry bares the writer's soul and emotions without even using their own words. I felt it all loud and clear.

The way you presented these quotes was powerful; resonant; poignant!