The rambler's rest
What could be more restful than sitting by the fire in a pub, listening to tales of the sea?
Ask me about heaven and I would describe a pub by a craggy seashore, flickering flames rising from an open hearth. There, I would sit resting from the day’s ramble, pint pot in hand, as I listen to an old sea dog spinning a yarn. One such seafarer, Thomas was his name, sat with me by the fire in the Rambler’s Rest one evening, telling tales of the seven seas.
“What can I get you?” I asked, indicating his empty glass…
At the bar, a group of locals stood staring at old Tom.
“Why’s he talking to an empty chair?”
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
About the Creator
Raymond G. Taylor
Author based in Kent, England. A writer of fictional short stories in a wide range of genres, he has been a non-fiction writer since the 1980s. Non-fiction subjects include art, history, technology, business, law, and the human condition.
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Hilma and Piet
Are you ever inspired to write something after seeing a work of art for the first time? I dreamt up this story while viewing a new exhibition at Tate Modern in London, where I volunteer as a visitor host. I then sat down in the middle of the gallery, surrounded by paintings, and wrote the story on my iPhone. Since it came to 99 words, I thought I might as well round it up into a drabble by editing the story into its present 100-word form. I was also planning to continue with the dialogue and write a longer story but was interrupted when the exhibition closed for the evening. Looking at these 100 words now, I kind of think this little tale stands up on its own.
By Raymond G. Taylorabout a year ago in Fiction
Reaching Out
I promise her. I'd do anything for her. She's my mom. Even as Lanie and Deanna are flying home, Mom is scrappy fighting dying. She lays too still in that too-big bed with all the toasty white hospital blankets, in the south tower, at the broad end of a long slow-turning corner that delivers me again to her private room with the view she can't see through, with the beeping that tells us nothing new, and all these ice chips she can't swallow, and a flood of well-intentioned nurses who cannot do a damned thing all the same.
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Exploring the Mysteries of Deity and Humanity: A Cosmic Perspective
The concept of deity is complex, offering numerous interpretations of the divine. As humanity delves into its origins, the pursuit of a higher power persists. Beliefs are deeply ingrained, hindering alternative perspectives. The enigma surrounding God serves our ideologies, yet also prompts introspection into our history. Nature operates in harmony, a balance of give and take, unlike humanity, which often depletes without replenishing. This raises questions about our place in the ecosystem. Perhaps humans, unique in their consumption, are not native to Earth but placed here by advanced beings, possibly extraterrestrial scientists. Biblical and mythological accounts hint at such interventions. Ancient structures and legends suggest interactions with "sky-gods," shaping religious narratives. Humanity's quest for meaning extends beyond earthly bounds, seeking answers in the cosmos. We now strive to bridge the celestial and terrestrial, seeking understanding in the vastness of existence.
By Bincy Mathew5 days ago in Fiction
Comments (2)
Truly a heavenly sensibility, akin to the words of the poet in Psalm 133: "How blessed it is when kindred dwell together in unity.... For there has God ordained the blessing, even life forevermore." I see no reason why that should not include a pub listening to a seafarer's tales.
This is a fun story! Great imagery and a fun twist!