When the grapes, so green, from the ground are picked,

And treaded and tramped in the trough for wine,

When the minters’ machines the money are printing,

The future fiscal year fast approaching,

The swill-eating swine for their sweet meat are slaughtered,

And carefully cured and cooked is the pork,

When the grassy grain grows so plump,

And shucked are the shells in the shed gathered,

When red and ...

“That was probably the worst idea you’ve ever had…and yet it worked.”

I never pass up an opportunity to say that to Michael. I like to tell myself that he just got lucky, and was foolish to trust to that. I hope I’m right, but I wonder how much of it is envy, since things worked out for him where they didn’t for me.

********

Let me explain.

I first met Michael in college. He was one of thos...

In the beginning, He Who Is made the heavens and the earth. He made spirits to rule the heavens and the earth in His name.

The first heaven He gave to Levanah (who is called Selene), to rule in His name.

The second heaven He gave to Kokhav (who is called Hermes), to rule in His name.

The third heaven He gave to Nogah (who is called Aphrodite), to rule in His name.

The fourth heaven He gave to...

Once upon a time there was a great white knight. From his youth, he devoted himself to justice and righteousness. He loyally served his government. He protected the innocent and avenged their deaths; he showed sacred hospitality to all, both as host and as guest, and he punished those who transgressed this; he showed justice to widows and orphans, and foreigners, and punished their oppressors; ...

Dear Bess,

Sorry I haven’t written you in years. I’m ten years old now. Grandpa says the war is why I’m not allowed to write you, because you live in South Carolina. But he says that now I can, because General Lee surrendered. Mom says Daddy will be home soon! I hope he still loves me. Hope you’re well!

Love,

Abigail

********

Dear Abigail,

Thank you so much for writing! I’m eight years...

I know it, I’m being watched.

Quick, turn around!

I see nobody there.

But I’m being watched.

What’s that?

I hear nobody there.

But I’m being watched, all the same.

Can’t hide in the treetops. Can’t hide anywhere.

I’m being stared at.

Intensely.

Like I was the only other person in existence.

Like there was nothing else to look at but me.

Unblinking, fierce staring.

At me.

Can’t make ...

It started at the cracks in the doors. I remember because all the doors in the house were shut (not locked).

At first I thought it was some kind of bug coming through the cracks in the front door. Groaning, I looked for the nearest box of Kleenex, while trying to keep an eye on the black bug—

—on the black bugs….

…on the black…mist?

—coming into the house through the cracks in the door.

I b...

Red where once was white.

Darkness where there once was light.

A lunar eclipse....

I’m Ted, the older twin. Harry’s my younger brother.

You’ve heard of the “brony” community? I was a fan of “My Little Pony” before it became cool for boys to like it. “Rescue at Midnight Castle” was my favorite cartoon as a kid, and Firefly was my favorite pony. I had a toy of her, and made up adventures for her to go on, some of which I later wrote down.

I guess Dad was supportive, in his o...

So Pine Eye the Ass came to the shore. “O Terrible Dogfish,” he brayed, “I am Pine Eye. Tell me where I might find the sacred roses of the earth goddess Sib, that I may eat them and shed this ass skin.”

But the Terrible Dogfish came out of the sea and said, “I am the Terrible Dogfish, and I have not eaten in a thousand years. O Ass, truly I will eat you.”

And thus the Terrible Dogfish swallow...