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    194 Results in the "Poetry" category


    • Chapter

      The Grocery

      The Grocery Cover
      by LovelyMay In the poignant narrative of "Men, Women, and Ghosts," the chapter unfolds with a deeply personal and unsettling account of an individual grappling with the haunting memory of discovering a severed hand. The protagonist, haunted by the recollection, is driven by a compulsion to verify the reality of the event, leading them to unearth the spot between two apple roots where the grim discovery was made. Expecting to confront the tangible remnants of this memory, the individual is instead met with emptiness,…
    • VII-The tale of Balen Cover
      by LovelyMay In the heart of winter, when the world quiets under the snow's embrace and the northern men's spirits rise high against the harsh elements, we find ourselves drawn into the epic journey of Sir Balen, the protagonist of our tale. This is a story of valor, sorrow, and fateful encounters, unfolding in a landscape where the natural world reflects the tumultuous hearts of men. Balen's saga begins with him traversing through harsh and unforgiving territories. The metaphorical wind of fate blows strong against…
    • Number 3 on the Docket Cover
      by LovelyMay Chapter 1 of "Men, Women, and Ghosts" opens with a poignant dialogue between Alice and her partner, underscoring themes of disillusionment and betrayal within personal relationships. Alice confronts her partner about his admiration for Arthur, a character who embroils himself in scandal and deceit to maintain a facade of prosperity and allure. Despite Arthur's questionable morals, Alice's partner envies his lifestyle, which is marked by external signs of success like fine clothing and dining in…
    • Men, Women, and Ghosts Cover
      by LovelyMay Men, Women, and Ghosts by Elizabeth Stuart Phelps is a collection of short stories blending realism with supernatural elements, exploring the lives, emotions, and inner struggles of its characters. Published in 1869, the book delves into themes of love, loss, war, and the human psyche, often with a focus on the impact of the Civil War on individuals and families. Phelps’ stories are known for their psychological depth and moral complexity, as well as their daring exploration of women’s roles and inner lives. With a mix of ghostly encounters and poignant human experiences, *Men, Women, and Ghosts* is celebrated for its sensitive, sometimes haunting portrayal of the spiritual and emotional dimensions of everyday life.
    • Nightmare:  A Tale for an Autumn Evening Cover
      by LovelyMay In "Nightmare: A Tale for an Autumn Evening," the reader is whisked into a vivid scene of tumult and whimsy. The story begins on a gusty night, where the wind itself becomes a character of force and caprice, playing a mischievous game with Mr. Spruggins, a man slightly unsteady from an evening dining in the city. The wind, described as booming, swooping, and careering, makes a plaything of Mr. Spruggins, rolling him along the streets, his movements comically exaggerated—the swaying of his coat-tails, the…
    • Chapter

      Preface

      Preface Cover
      by LovelyMay In the preface to "Men, Women and Ghosts," the author outlines the expansive definition of "stories" used in this collection, encompassing narrative poems, tales divided into scenes, and pieces where nature and inanimate objects play central roles. A significant portion of the preface is dedicated to exploring the potential of `vers libre` (free verse), inspired by the rhythmic similarities between poetry and music, notably sparked by the compositions of Debussy. The author describes experiments with…
    • The Paper Windmill Cover
      by LovelyMay In "Men, Women and Ghosts," the chapter starts with a vivid, unsettling nightmare where Mr. Spruggins is tormented by a bizarre, grotesque figure mounted on a pig. This nightmarish figure, with rolling eyes and a cap represented by a ten-pound weight, intimidates Spruggins with a scimitar, before plunging it into his mouth. This dream sequence is rich with surreal imagery, including a green light that undulates like the tide, filled with claws and scales, and a moon that crashes through the window,…
    • Chapter

      Pickthorn Manor

      Pickthorn Manor Cover
      by LovelyMay Men, Women and Ghosts captures the theme of loss, longing, and the complexity of human emotions through the experiences of its characters. The chapter vividly presents a tale woven around the lives of Lady Eunice and Gervase Deane, set against the backdrop of the English countryside and the tumultuous times of war. Lady Eunice, living in solemn solitude at Pickthorn Manor, receives the heart-wrenching news of the death of her betrothed, Lord Hartwell, killed in action. Despite her grief, she finds a…
    • The Red Lacquer Music-Stand Cover
      by LovelyMay In the chapter from "Men, Women, and Ghosts," a boy experiencing a profound sense of joy and wonder is depicted as he observes the transformation of his surroundings at dawn. The early moments are described vividly, likening the changing light to aggressive, yet beautiful movements of an unseen creature, with "sharp golden claws" and a "vermilion tongue," which eventually calms down to a "still, faint outline obliterate in shade." This transition captures not only the beauty of dawn but also the boy's…
    • Chapter

      The Cross-Roads

      The Cross-Roads Cover
      by LovelyMay In the hauntingly vivid "Men, Women and Ghosts," the narrative begins with an intense moment of disconnection between Charlotta and her husband, Herr Altgelt. As he distances himself to focus on his musical strains, Charlotta's frustration mounts, symbolized by the tightening grip on her locket—a representation of emotional bonds threatened by the lack of communication and intimacy within their marriage. The scene then shifts dramatically to the striking depiction of a room, where the physical…
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