Thank you @d’Verse for the topic, and @spillwords for publishing it.

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Destiny! the gods proclaim! Consequence, I argue.Paris’ lust, Agamemnon’s greed, Achilles’ rage!Woman! you say. Oh, I will listen.Hellen, Briseis, Chryseis, –Doom! And now many lay waste to war,but you gentle-friend, Patroclus son of Menoetius,you, I mourn for.Aching for your Argive friends pinned by the beaked ships,for them you gave your life. Shame on you Agamemnon!

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It all began with The Song of Achilles, recommended by a blogger on this very platform. Then it was Circe, by the same author, Madeline Miller. Before long, I went on to read The Odyssey translated by Emily Wilson, which Madeline Miller recommended on one of her many interviews I watched on YouTube. After the

To Anonymous

A week or so ago, a blogger whose blog I forget now, reviewed his/her books of the week. Amongst those was The Song Of Achilles, by Madeline Miller. I just want to say, thank you for sharing your book list. This particular one is so much fun to read.

The Mighty One

In response to d’Verse’s prompt for Haibun Monday: ‘Eagle’ With one glance up above,the hen scatters away in a frenzy.Naturally, her chicks follow in confusion,aware of the mighty one. With one shadowy movement above,the Towhee scurries away in fear.So, does the hare and ground squirrel,in awe of the one who hovers above.

Beyond the gates of comfort

There is a whole other world out there IF venture is dared.Immense silence, or a mix of sound depending on who is out.It may seem still to some, butto others, a world of constant activity.There is a whole other world out there if venture is dared. Msdedeng

Dogs, eh?

I get a little frustrated when on a nice, quiet walk, a dog in the neighborhood barks at me. Of course, he or she means to warn the residents that there is either an intruder, a stranger, or a suspicious being in the premises, whose intentions are worth investigating. The thing is, I am none

Guilt

January, 2019 was the year I lost my dad. After the burial, several traditional rituals are performed including, the cutting off of hair as a sign of mourning (although only my mum did this), the slaughtering of a white ram and sprinkling it’s dung on the grave, and the giving away some of his belongings

A magical finale

to an otherwise trying year. To those of you who pushed, strained, and persisted this year, – congratulations! To those of you who made somebody else’s life a little better than previous, – bless you! For those of you who lost someone dear this year, – may you find comfort in knowing that your loved

“Winter” in California

Winter in southern California is unlike any other: it’s often characterized by mild temperatures that range from mid fifties to low sixties (degrees Fahrenheit) during day time, and drops to the upper thirties and forties in the nights. Days are sunny and are sometimes accompanied with mild winds. We did get some good rain a