13 Comments
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Laurie MacIntosh's avatar

Well, that was fun! So many hidden talents, Hammond!

Alex Matthew's avatar

Wow! It's been a long time since I've read an epic and I have to say this is magnificent. It's so wildly different from your usual stuff and yet it's so reminiscent of you. The theme gives it away, I think. Your earlier works have more or less touched on the theme of mating and isolation and this one's not an exception. But the format: an epic! This is definitely the first epic I've read here and I'm so glad it's from you! Whenever you publish new material, I just know you wouldn't disappoint and you certainly didn't this time. In fact, if I may, I'd be the first to say you've outdone yourself. 👏 👏 👏

The Faraday Room's avatar

Thanks, Alex. I'm really glad you liked it, especially since it was a bit of a step out for me. This was written in response to a prompt, and nearly all of the plot, except for the ending, comes from that - which is a big change from how I normally write. I started this piece as an experiment and wasn't sure if I'd come up with anything, but once I landed on the form, I found it flowed pretty well.

Thanks too for reading it and giving your feedback so quickly. Nowadays, I find I can't relax after I've published something until I hear from you and know you've liked it. I'm extremely lucky to have a loyal reader like yourself, and it's not exaggerating to say that part of my motivation to try to make every piece I release as good as it can be is so as not to let you down.

Alex Matthew's avatar

Oh, now, I am honored by this reply. It is a privilege to read your work. I'm just in awe of your talent. I hope you know that I really mean that. 🙏 It is such a cool experience for me to be able to interact with a favorite author. So thank you!

Laura Teodorescu's avatar

I will forever use the phrase "dame or dude", because it's an absolute treat. Absolute loved the poem, and hope to see more from you

The Faraday Room's avatar

Why, thanks so much, so very kind! I appreciate you taking the time to stop by, and thanks so much for the compliment (and encouragement). I'll make a note to drop by your stack soon & see what you've been cooking up.

Kathryn's Secret Spaces's avatar

Ok - I read it. Shades of Shakespeare. Poe (The Raven), uncanny knack for meter (metre?) and a creepy ending we do not see coming. You have more than talent, you have a third, fourth, maybe fifth eye? I fucking love it.

Kathryn's Secret Spaces's avatar

I posted about it shamelessly on my own Stack but I need to read this many times.

Siobhan Gallagher's avatar

That ending is hilarious. Sometimes, the answers the hero seeks, aren't the ones he wants to find.

The Faraday Room's avatar

Thanks. I figured if he’d spent that long by himself, he’d find it hard to transition into any relationship, let alone one with a headstrong immortal!

Thanks for swinging by & I really appreciate the like, comment and restack.

Siobhan Gallagher's avatar

Haa, true. He was destined to be alone for a reason. And no problem, hope you get more eyeballs, this is a fun one.

Buzz Dixon writer's avatar

You caught me by surprise -- bravo!

The Faraday Room's avatar

Well, you know me - it's all about the twist!