Your Dying Spouse 722 - Finding Nero

One heck of a weekend. High fever, chills (Barb had to get every blanket, towel, jacket, and heating pad in the house to throw on me).

Ladron the Heeler (Chief Service Dog) was yelling at her to hurry up.

And hallucinations. I was convinced that my dear wife was weaving hammocks for rats.

A dreadful time was had by all, and I want payback.

Thus, I have taken on the Emperor Nero, and he will never be the same.

You're welcome.

Back in ancient classics-land

where dead languages foregather,

there was an accomplished fiddle-hand

who got Rome into a lather.

He really offered little mercy,

that mean old Caesar, Nero,

prob’ly ‘cause when he was thirsty,

they gave him wine, not beer-o.

They say in vino veritas,

but not for this Roman man

who was forced to isolation of the glass,

missing Camaraderie of the Can.

‘Twas drinkin’ pals for which he yearned,

and thus denied, well, Rome he burned.

Music from Sam Cooke, with What A Wonderful World...otherwise nown as the 'Don't Know Much About Hitory' song.

Thanks to Carol Ashby, Blessed Are The Pure Of Heart is back on Kindle, and will be available in paperback soon.

Friends are everything. I couldn't have done it.

Marley, the canine waif from Afghanistan, whom WE helped save, has a Facebook page! Please drop by to see how happy he is today.

Below are my recent releases on Kindle -please excuse their presence in the body of the blog. I haven't the energy to get them up as 'buttons' in the sidebar. You can click on the covers to go to the Amazon links.

Your Dying Spouse 721 - Fever Dream {Five Minute Friday}

And so now there are high fevers, hallucinations, and 'something' the size and hardness of a skillet behind my navel (behind something the size of a billiard ball in my navel). Sheesh.

But speaking of fevers...do you guys get hallucinogenic fever dreams? I recently saw circus elephants walking nose-to-tail through the living room, and a beach volleyball game of pharaohs versus prophets taking place over my bed.

I've tried to catch the flavour in this sonnet. I hope you like it.

The Sacred Cats of Clarabelle,

the mice upon the moon;

the stories that the wizards tell

in the voices of a loon.

The fish that will not wear a mac

even when it’s raining,

and ‘roos upon the hurdle-track

for their Olympic training.

Flying monkeys straight from Oz

and Sith Lords playing tennis

garner one-hand-clapped applause

for their humour and their menace.

And then, at last, my fever broke,

and slightly saddened, I awoke.

Music from the Fab Four, with Strawberry Fields Forever.

Thanks to Carol Ashby, Blessed Are The Pure Of Heart is back on Kindle, and will be available in paperback soon.

Friends are everything. I couldn't have done it.

Marley, the canine waif from Afghanistan, whom WE helped save, has a Facebook page! Please drop by to see how happy he is today.

Below are my recent releases on Kindle -please excuse their presence in the body of the blog. I haven't the energy to get them up as 'buttons' in the sidebar. You can click on the covers to go to the Amazon links.

Your Dying Spouse 720 - This Is What I Live For {Five Minute Friday}

Glad Five Minute Friday is back after the Christmas hiatus. I was getting lonely. The Five Minute Friday writing prompt this week is direction, and, well, does straight into the wall count?

I was going to write something elegaic, but circumstance forces another thing. You may not much like it, dear reader, but I earnestly hope you understand.

Unbelievable bad now, tumour the size of a billiard ball in the navel, hooking onto something bigger underneath, and I have to think through the act of swallowing. Try it. You won't like it.

It's not over yet.

Feels kinda like I'm losing it,

like the walls are caving in,

but know this, mate, I'll never quit

even though I'll never win.

There is a special sort of grace

in watching oneself die,

and I don't ask, "God shield my face!"

I'm not that kind of guy.

Instead, the heavy-metal roar

and the same shouted refrain:

"F*** you, death, I'm back for more,

so come on, bring the bastard pain

you think will see me gone for good,

but for my soul, it's only food."

Music from Graffiti Ghosts, with This Is What I Live For.

Thanks to Carol Ashby, Blessed Are The Pure Of Heart is back on Kindle, and will be available in paperback soon.

Friends are everything. I couldn't have done it.

Marley, the canine waif from Afghanistan, whom WE helped save, has a Facebook page! Please drop by to see how happy he is today.

Below are my recent releases on Kindle -please excuse their presence in the body of the blog. I haven't the energy to get them up as 'buttons' in the sidebar. You can click on the covers to go to the Amazon links.

Your Dying Spouse 719 - Minimal

Barb and I both have the flu, so this is a minimal post...

Summer is fading

when the grasshopper falls in love

with his own voice.

What does this mean to you?

Music from David gates, with the Suite: Clouds and Rain.

Thanks to Carol Ashby, Blessed Are The Pure Of Heart is back on Kindle, and will be available in paperback soon.

Friends are everything. I couldn't have done it.

Marley, the canine waif from Afghanistan, whom WE helped save, has a Facebook page! Please drop by to see how happy he is today.

Below are my recent releases on Kindle -please excuse their presence in the body of the blog. I haven't the energy to get them up as 'buttons' in the sidebar. You can click on the covers to go to the Amazon links.

Your Dying Spouse 718 - Gain

Days right now I can't describe, but I won't quit.

I do ask your prayers.

Into the land of darkness,

beneath the dun-winged night

I’m locked in devil’s harness,

and locked into this fight.

It’s not been of my choosing,

it’s not been to my taste,

and though it’s past confusing,

there is no time to waste

for every minute that I gain

from which I might wring joy

outbalances the myriad pains

that Satan may employ.

Death is gain, and never loss

when you’re in the shadow of the Cross.

Music from Asia, with Only Time Will Tell

Thanks to Carol Ashby, Blessed Are The Pure Of Heart is back on Kindle, and will be available in paperback soon.

Friends are everything. I couldn't have done it.

Marley, the canine waif from Afghanistan, whom WE helped save, has a Facebook page! Please drop by to see how happy he is today.

Below are my recent releases on Kindle -please excuse their presence in the body of the blog. I haven't the energy to get them up as 'buttons' in the sidebar. You can click on the covers to go to the Amazon links.