leapt, but a shortfall
came up close but not quite
clipped the target, perhaps
but does it doesn't it matter
scattered seed amid weeds
a shattered dream distorted
through malnourished battered want
clattered by need
briefly freed from moments decreed
speeding escape velocity
towards a splattered heart
and revenge's chilled feed
regret, the bitter wine
choked down because something
is always better than nothing
until unless it's not
#SmallPoems #Poetry #Writing
#MastoPrompt 26 Dec 25 - regret
#WritersCoffeeClub #WCC 2025.12.26 — Who (or what) serves as your rubber duck?
From the context of other's answers, I think I understand the concept. Something to focus displacement activity upon. When I was a software developer, I had a lot of "toys" at my desk. Sometimes the work would become too much, or the pressure, or I'd get really BORED, or I'd hurt sitting and concentrating in one position for too long. I turn away from the screen. Maybe turn over my sand clock, or watch my Mars globe spin, or hug one of my stuffed toys I'd picked up as souvenirs from my travels for work. Later, I'd return on task.
Now? In retirement? As essentially a full time author.
So strange. I don't seem to have any.
Or need them.
Maybe I am deluding myself? If so, I'll write this response again.
[Author retains copyright (c)2025, 2026 R.S.]
#BoostingIsSharing
#gender #fiction #writer #author
#writing #writingcommunity #writersOfMastodon #writers
#RSdiscussion
#WordWeavers 2025.12.26 — If you had a personal muse, what would they be like?
She'd do her best to point out the absurdities and hypocrisies in the world, but would strive to be kind around others if rarely reserving herself around me, always helping with needful (even if those she helps don't think it is), fighting only when invited to do so, and cherish her friends even if she doesn't understand the concept. She'd also have horns that look like rusted rebar, and be able to manipulate reality when she really needs to.
Wait! I'm talking about my favorite main character, aren't I? (The devil-girl.)
[Author retains copyright (c)2025, 2026 R.S.]
#gender #fiction #writer #author
#sf #sff #sciencefiction
#writing #writingcommunity #writersOfMastodon #writers
#RSdiscussion
#RSstory #RSReluctanceStory
The Search For The Coat
Back in the day when I was writing gadget reviews for GottaBeMobile I did reviews of all kinds of things related to tech. Every now and then a product would cross my path that I liked enough to spend my own money on. One of those happened to be a coat from SCOTTeVEST.
If you’re unfamiliar with any of SCOTTeVEST products their outerwear is designed with many pockets to carry tons of gadgets and gear without looking bulky or overstuffed. Their website was famous for its X-Ray views of all you could carry in the pockets. I’ve owned a few of their coats and vests over the years, but this one became my favorite for a number of reasons.
There’s a great line in Larry McMurtry’s western epic Lonesome Dove spoken by Augustus McCrae that says “You know Deets is like me — he’s not one to quit on a garment just because it’s got a little age.” I’m much the same. I’ll wear a piece of clothing out before retiring it, and this coat is one I’ve worn all too close to the bone. So much so that when I pulled it out of the closet this year as colder weather approached I told my wife that this was going to be the last year I could wear the thing and I was going to be very sad to retire it and shop for something to replace it with next year. I wasn’t complaining. 12 years in the life of a coat is actually a good run.
Even so, my wife was listening. The only thing less forgiving than my approach to hanging on to an article of clothing long after its usefulness is my wife’s determination when it comes to finding and acquiring something she wants, especially if it’s a gift for someone. Like a dog on a bone she managed to track one down in excellent condition and presented it to me as a Christmas gift.
Turns out, as with all things about my wife, there’s a story behind her hunt.
The coat in question is or was called the Brad Thor Alpha Coat. Brad Thor is an American action thriller novelist. His Scott Horvath series of books replaced my Tom Clancy addiction many years ago, merely by coincidence as regards to this coat.
Beyond featuring over 35 pockets to carry your tech gear, (you could even carry a full-sized iPad in one of them, and I did), the original design featured ways to carry and access a handgun, pockets to hold and quickly access a dagger, an RFID pocket to avoid skimming technology, and for those who might need to wear bullet resistant body armor underneath it was sized a little larger. Thor was quite involved in the design of the coat which fits completely with the milieu of his action thriller writing. The color of the coast is called Squid Ink.
For the record, my everyday carry has never included handguns, daggers, or body armor, but often has included an array of tech gadgets, especially back in the days when I was traveling by air more frequently. As a bonus each year when we put away the winter gear all my various gloves, scarves, and winter hats get stored in the pockets.
But back to the story. Along the way it turns out that Brad Thor and SCOTTeVEST had some sort of falling out, and Thor stopped endorsing the coat or any of the company’s products. The company stopped using his name and manufacturing the coat. I knew they had stopped making the coat but never looked into the why of it because hey, the coat was in good shape until the last few years when wear and tear eventually started showing.
My wife’s tireless search involved corresponding with a number of folks on eBay and other websites, exhaustively sending them measurements to check and asking for more pictures than they made initially available. There were apparently plenty not in my size (either too big or too small) but she finally found one that was just right and made the deal. It was quite the surprise on Christmas morning. She’s the real Alpha in this story.
So this post is both a testament to my wife’s dogged determination as well as the Brad Thor Alpha Coat. Happy to say it’s great to have a replacement that I hope will last another 12 years. Which is probably longer than I will.
For the record none of the links in this post are affiliate links. You can read my 2013 review of the coat here.
You can also find more of my writings on a variety of topics on Medium at this link, including in the publications Ellemeno and Rome. I can also be found on social media under my name as above.
#BradThor #BradThorAlphaCoat #christmas #family #Holidays #SCOTTeVEST #Tech #Writing
last few days of the Smashwords End of Year Sale. https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1771878
if you like using @itch.io, there's a sale on there as well: https://lucidillusions.itch.io/forgotten-alley
and if you have #KoboPlus: you can read it for free: https://www.kobo.com/in/en/ebook/the-forgotten-alley-and-other-short-stories
From the darkly humorous to the poignant, from the fantastical to the eerily familiar, each story in this collection offers a unique glimpse into the boundless realms of human (and perhaps non-human) experience. I invite you to delve into these worlds, to meet their inhabitants, and to ponder the questions they raise.
ISSUE 18 is now up and at'em! Featuring short #funny #stories and #poetry by M N Wiggins, Keith Vile, Mark Reasoner, Bob McAfee, Jeffrey Zable, Marc J Guillotte, Sean MacKendrick, Ed Ahern, and Nicholas De Marino.
#humor #humour #zine #fiction #poems #writing #reading #writersofmastodon #free #legoillustration #lego
God sent me an angel
My best friend, I swear she’s an angel sent from above Maybe the only reason I’m not in a psychward. She’s the only one who understands me She’s gets me laughing like nobody else can She’s got a special place in my heart I love her so And I hope she knows I wish she […]
Reblog: Lovely poem!
Day 26: I wrote 265 words today, pushing my total word count to 10, 402. Not bad as I am hoping to reach either 40,000 to 50,000 before considering this rough draft ready for a second edit. I'm working on the dynamic between Donovan and Kelian, especially today. Before getting to the next bit of the chapter that involves fulfilling the Druid King's promise to the mad Medical Druid.
A sample conversation from today (be gentle as it's still heavily WIP):
"Kelian, I deeply appreciate the looks of carnal attraction and scents your body is filling the air with at the moment. You were so reserved, in private and public. However, being as open as you are now in private...I might luxuriate in that. Just enough, as a gentleman I don't want to push you over the edge, yet."
Kelian grunted as Donovan smirk widened, "You're a saucy shifter, still, I can't claim to not enjoy the sight of you. Nor the fact that I appreciate the teasing, I'm glad you keep this side of you behind closed doors. Otherwise, it would be maddening to be around you."
----
Steven Cudahy
Snipehockey
RS, Author, Novelist, Prosaist
Creatives Showcase
Life on the Wicked Stage: Act 3
Art by @lucidillusions.in
Once Upon A Crocodile
Heather Congrove
Crest of Light