• The Love of the Game Cover
      by LovelyMay Just Folks chapter titled "The Love of the Game" echoes a message of resilience and joy in the face of life's adversities. It critiques the common tendencies of people to lament their troubles, envy others' successes, and prioritize material gain over true happiness. The narrator contests this viewpoint by celebrating the intrinsic value of engaging passionately with one's pursuits, regardless of the outcome. This celebration of commitment over achievement presents a refreshing counter-narrative to the…
      Fiction • Poetry
    • Chapter

      Yesterday

      Yesterday Cover
      by LovelyMay Chapter 41 opens with a reflection on the fluid nature of ability and memory in the game of golf, delving into the narrator's observations and experiences. Despite being relatively new to golf, having played for scarcely a year, the narrator, who self-identifies as a 'dub' or novice, has noticed a recurring theme among his golfing companions. Regardless of their performance, there seems to be a universal refrain: they performed better "yesterday." This lamentation spans across various situations on the…
      Fiction • Poetry
    • Chapter

      Signs

      Signs Cover
      by LovelyMay In "Signs," the narrative illustrates the changing behavior of children as Christmas approaches, emphasizing their sudden adoption of good manners and obedience, as incited by the anticipation of Santa Claus's arrival. Through poetic verses, it paints a picture of young ones, who ordinarily may not always heed advice or tidy up after themselves, now transforming into paragons of virtue at the whisper of Santa's imminent visit. The text captures this seasonal transformation with lines that speak to…
      Fiction • Poetry
    • When Mother Cooked With Wood Cover
      by LovelyMay The chapter wistfully remembers a bygone era, focusing on the warm and fragrant memories associated with a wood-powered kitchen. It begins with the narrator not disputing the efficiency and modernity of gas ranges but hearkening back to a time when the preparation of food was more intimately tied to manual labor and the natural element of wood. The narrative conveys a nostalgia for the tactile experiences of chopping wood and the daily chores that were a fundamental part of life before the convenience of…
      Fiction • Poetry
    • Legends and Lyrics- First Series Cover
      by LovelyMay Legends and Lyrics - First Series by Adelaide Anne Procter is a collection of lyrical poems that touch on themes of love, faith, and the human experience, written with emotional depth and spiritual insight. Published in the 19th century, the poems are known for their simplicity and beauty, resonating with readers through their tender reflections on life’s trials and virtues.
    • AN INTRODUCTION BY CHARLES DICKENS Cover
      by LovelyMay In the introduction to *Legends and Lyrics—First Series*, Charles Dickens recounts his intriguing discovery and subsequent correspondence with Miss Mary Berwick, an unrecognized talent whose heartfelt poem caught his eye in 1853 while he was overseeing submissions for the weekly journal *Household Words*. Berwick, unknown to Dickens, turned out to be a pseudonym for Adelaide Anne Procter, the eldest daughter of Dickens' old friend, the literary figure Barry Cornwall. Dickens describes this unexpected…
    • Chapter

      A MARRIAGE

      A MARRIAGE Cover
      by LovelyMay In "A Marriage" from "Legends and Lyrics--First Series," the narrative unfolds with the wedding of a farmer's daughter, a celebration tinged with melancholy rather than joy. The wedding, intended for the family's private chapel, was relocated due to late permissions, reflecting on societal blames towards the Constitution. The procession was small, constrained by the physical demands of the journey to the church and societal norms—excluding the bride's mother and unmarried women from attendance. The…
    • VERSE:  A PARTING Cover
      by LovelyMay In the poem "A Parting" from "Legends and Lyrics--First Series," the speaker embarks on a reflective farewell, eschewing any bitter sentiments for a tone of gratitude towards their former love. The poem unfolds as a series of heartfelt thank-yous, acknowledging the luminous hope and joy the beloved once brought to the speaker's life, resembling a radiant glory that once encircled the speaker’s existence. This gratitude extends to the powerful emotions of love the speaker was capable of offering, sourced…
    • VERSE:  THE ANGEL’S STORY Cover
      by LovelyMay In a narrative that evokes the spirit of Christmas and intertwines mortal experiences with celestial intervention, "The Angel’s Story" offers a poignant tale set against the backdrop of a frosty Christmas night. The city, alive with the glistening lights akin to the stars overhead, is filled with the sounds of pealing bells heralding the festive season. Amidst the joy and reconciliation that this season brings, a stark contrast is painted in the tale of a child, nestled in the affluent yet solemn…
    • II ‑Legends and lyrics- firstseries Cover
      by LovelyMay In the poignant verses of the chapter, the speaker delves into the contemplation of a time when the ardor of love might fade, embodying a theme of love's vulnerability to the passage of time. Initially, the speaker envisages a serene acceptance of life's end if it followed a life of love, cherished and returned. However, the core of the narrative shifts to a speculative, darker hue as it entertains the harrowing possibility of love's decline. The speaker imagines encountering a day when the warmth of…
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