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[tale-told]

For Now

When I was younger, in my early twenties, I was exceedingly unhappy. At some point, I began to pray that I would die young, around thirty. I am no longer that miserable, but neither am I exceedingly vivacious for life. Now, I’m turning thirty this week. I’m not where I wanted to be by this age, but I’m not sure I ever had a real idea of who that was, of who I should be. Now, I do have a dream,…

[tale-told]

From the Archive: Some Feedback

I’m feeling sick. Very tired. See you tomorrow. So, I’m fairly excited. My maternal uncle has read my book. (He loves horror movies and is the first person besides me to have read it through.) He liked it, but he had one criticism: “You don’t dumb it down,” he said. Now, this was said in reference to the fact that my story is filled with allusions, and about ninety percent of those allusions are…

[tale-told]

Of Waking in the Night

Were dreams a drink, and songs a bed,and you the love I wish to wed,I’d drown myself and never rise,but lay there staring in your eyes. Yet dreams will end, the players rest—the sun must fall into the west—but I’m awake, covered in sweat,and cursing still the day we met.

[tale-told]

Fool's Serve

The king has made his ruleand now only the foolwill dare to speak his name,for none can play the gameof weaving lies into the shapeof the truth we can’t escape.

[tale-told]

Facing Faceless Reflections

What horrid dreams: I pulled off my face, and there you were beneath the skin. How often did I suspect us? There was something about the mirror, some furtive way I wouldn’t meet my gaze. That was the secret you tried to hide behind those smiles. I’ve been chasing you all my life, and you weren’t there. You weren’t anywhere but here, were you? Now my face is in my hands, and I don’t know my…

[tale-told]

Impressions

“I know I upset him,” I smile, forgetting myself. The big man fights a convulsive shudder while I quickly try to make my face as blank as I can. It’s no good; I’m no poker player. “You’re all from some other dimension, another reality or something, and when he looks at me, he’s not seeing me, is he? Some other me? Some other possibility.” He doesn’t answer, but the grim, hard-set look on his face…

[tale-told]

Just Me

I read over the weekend Orwell’s essay, “Politics and the English Language.” It had been mentioned in the Michael Knowles’ podcast in relation to a story about a boy getting in troubled for using clear—that is, good—English in an essay. The gull. It certainly reminded me of some teachers I have had, though I would not say most. I read parts of the essay out loud to my mother while also sharing…

[tale-told]

Shadows Weep

There comes a time when the cold no longer makes you cold. There’s a place beyond all these pains and these mortal throes. I’ve walked along the cold, grey shores of Nyx and have recrossed the rolling river Styx. My memories, gone; they take them from you there, but love, it always lasts, and I know that we’re a pair. My reasons only make you tired,my means unmake your mind;in fear and anguish…

[tale-told]

Yesterday, I went to the Beach

I have awakened with the words forming on my tongue, “The empty spaces are important too.” What muse, God-sent I pray, has whispered here, has taken my mouth to whisper in my ear, of such things…no, I dare not speak what I do not know, only that a Lady’s foot was broken, that was first in a dream, then like a theme faintly played in a new key, the memory was renewed. Madmen and prophets, fools…

[tale-told]

With Everything Else Going On, Is One Zombie Apocalypse Too Much to Ask For?

My old friend the zombie has kept me good company since as long as I can recall. We must have met, I think, through Scooby-Doo. Max Brooks helped solidify the relationship. I can still remember the insane pleasure I had staying up at night reading through his “The Zombie Survival Guide.” I think I finished it on a Christmas night at my uncle’s house lying on a guest bed and flipping through the…

[tale-told]

A Man's Wishes in the Night

Anyone can sing a song before the light is gonebut few can make amends before this all will end.I saw a star as bright as snow that’s fresh and clean and glows,and dreamed it was a wish to make. I wished your lips to kiss.I love the taste of you when our faces fuse,but will you hold me still when you see what I have willed?Forgive me if you can, for I am just a man.  

[tale-told]

Worthwhile

There comes a day, my friend, when the man upstairs says, “That’s all, folks,” and then the play is done. I know it sounds corny, but it’s true, a tired truth, a truth I can’t ignore. I’m tired, you see. Very, very tired. I keep pushing, working, hoping, but really, what’s the goal here? Every day, I wake up, head out, come home, and nothing gets done, not really. Just a little work here, a…

[tale-told]

Go On

There really is only one way we can end this. You know it, but I think you prefer this limbo, this back and forth. Don’t you get tired? I’m tired. I don’t want to fight you anymore. Isn’t there something else, anything else, in this long, long life, you’d rather be doing? I know there is for me. There’s so much to life, people, places, foods, stories I’ve never known, never had a chance to know,…

[tale-told]

Happy Birthday, Tale Told

Here are some of the highlights of the last year. A Zombie Crawls Out of the Sea by Dr. Agonson 21 Apr 2023 The Last Act by Dr. Agonson 20 May 2023 90° From Reality by Dr. Agonson 11 Jun 2023 Death’s Letter by Dr. Agonson 11 Jul 2023 Ce n’est pas un homme by Dr. Agonson 19 Aug 2023 Plans by Dr. Agonson 1 Sep 2023 For the Birds by Dr. Agonson 26 Oct 2023 Whose Ghost? by Dr.…

[tale-told]

Undead Descent

I wonder when death came for meand why he couldn’t seehis way to finishing the deedbut let it go to seed. Undead, my silent curseis growing worse.So worn, I want to sleepbut only weep. So tired nowI bowbut do not fallat all.

[tale-told]

Headache and Philosophy

I have a killer of a headache, migraine level; want to throw up and I can barely walk around. All that aside, I’ve had a great day meeting new friends and talking philosophy. It was an interesting discussion, and I hope I can meet up with these fellow amateur philosophers again. Life is hard at times, but good company is one of its greatest consolations. The discussion revolved around the…

[tale-told]

The Vampiress

A cadre of the revelers broke into the crypt, bearing their flaming torches over their heads. A withered creature lead them, old and stooped, with a faded eye, and he pointed his boney finger at the two, undead lovers. Men, large men, fullers from each town, came with their hammers and with ready stakes. And she screamed, venting all of her furry and passion with the cry; and he fled, or tried…