Way It Breaks: Dream Stories (Book) - 9/5/2026 5:03:57 PM
I'm often intrigued by stories and poems that have their beginnings in dreams. From what I've read of yours posted here on AD, you have become very proficient at extracting some real gems from yours. Congrats on the impressive compilation.
Released From Reality (Book) - 10/6/2025 5:16:05 PM
Hey can i have a moment with you please it all about your book
LA 2032: Starting Over (Book) - 3/31/2025 4:09:11 AM
Scary concept indeed in the wake of what we've witnessed in the past few years and 2032 not being too far away in the future. Spine-chilling teaser, already has my interest piqued.
LA 2032: Starting Over (Book) - 3/5/2025 8:03:47 PM
Sounds to be very interesting... Good work, Ron!
LA 2032: Starting Over (Book) - 2/28/2025 4:32:32 PM
Congratulations on your new book, Ron. Sounds interesting.
Alone? (Book) - 2/1/2025 10:35:29 AM
The ideological depth and ethical complexities within your writing always makes for a marvelous reading experience. The excerpt of ALONE? presented here leads me to believe it's just right for our socially-volatile and AI-challenged times. Hope it finds its way into numerous classrooms and reading groups for meaning-filled discussions and contemplation.
Intelligence and the Machine (Book) - 11/23/2024 5:27:24 AM
Sounds intriguiing, Ron. I suppose like most things, it will present both good and detrimental uses and consequences.
Intelligence and the Machine (Book) - 5/30/2024 12:58:24 PM
Your title caught my eye as we are all wondering what "artificial intelligence" is going to do to our future world. I took a course on it and realized it could have good uses sorting through the "haystack" of data such as reading x-rays, comparing data bases etc. I gave it a try using Chat-GPS and was amazed at how quickly it pulled together an article--sort of a first draft that I could take and run with. However, I felt more like an editor than a writer. You still have to research its sources to be safe.
With Music as Our Muse (Book) - 9/24/2023 9:45:17 AM
All the best to you and the other authors.
The Kaleidoscope Effect (Book) - 6/25/2023 3:34:59 AM
A wonderful book to challenge the mind and fuel the imagination. The characters are well written and relatable. I love the way the author has woven the centuries of human life together and presented alien civilizations as brilliant and caring.
With Music as Our Muse (Book) - 6/3/2023 11:08:27 AM
Sounds like an interesting journey. The brief overviews are great pitches.
With Music as Our Muse (Book) - 5/27/2023 9:03:48 PM
Congratulations, Ron! Wishing you continued success and fulfillment.
Regis (Reg)
Midcentury Tales: Unfettered Youth (Book) - 8/29/2022 11:12:01 AM
Somebody who was born in the early 1940s, such as the author of this book and his twin brother, lived a far different early life than the youth of today. There were no computers or cellphones or many of the modern conveniences we take for granted, and just about every child was a free-range kid. Parents didn’t hover over their children or track exactly where they were, and often they had no idea what their children were doing. Children also came down with all the childhood diseases that they are now vaccinated for.
Ronald Hull grew up in Wisconsin, and the stories told in this book will cause readers to laugh, and sometimes make their hair stand on end. For example, pushing over beehives at an early age isn’t good for one’s wellbeing or that of the family dog. The gravel playground of Hull’s elementary school had a merry-go-round, large swings, and teeter totters. Whenever the person on one end of the plank was on the ground the other end was in the air. I haven’t seen a teeter totter on a playground in years and guess they are too dangerous for today’s world because of what happens when the bottom rider decides to suddenly dismount. Hull and his brother got bicycles when they were nine, and Hull learned to ride a circular route no-handed. They rode many places, including on a train trestle while a train was coming.
The author also worked from the time he was young. He and his brother mowed lawns, shoveled snow, and shoveled coal into the family furnace in winter. The Wisconsin winters were fiercely cold, and could last for half the year. The boys picked many of the crops grown on their grandparents’ farm and others. As they grew older, they worked at the Wisconsin State Fair and drove in thousands of nails while helping to build homes.
There are chapters on fishing and hunting, which were pursued avidly by the author and his family. He started hunting with BB guns and graduated to rifles and shotguns. However, fishing, hunting, and many of the other adventurous activities he had participated in ceased or changed drastically when he was twenty.
He became partially paralyzed as the result of surgery at the age of twenty. He lost over half of his so-called friends and had to constantly prove himself to people. Today he lives with his partner and caregiver, and doesn’t have much physical contact with the outside world.
The author and his family owned many different cars through the years, a variety of makes and models, including cars from the 1930s, 40s, 50s, and beyond. Car buffs will enjoy the stories of fixing them up to make them road worthy. Although Hull and people he rode with survived minor accidents without major injuries, some of the stories are scary. They watched other people race cars in dangerous ways, and some of them were killed. Safety features were minimal and most cars did not have seatbelts until the 1960s.
The author drove on interesting trips throughout the USA, Canada, and northern Mexico. He picked up a variety of hitchhikers, including hippies, especially when he was attending Stanford University near San Francisco. On longer trips hitchhikers provided him with company. Some of them were very interesting, such as a child psychiatrist who listened to young people talk in order to gain ideas for his practice.
Hull also traveled farther afield, including Guatemala, where he did some mountain climbing. After getting a taste for foreign travel, he went on an “around-the-world” trip in late 1976 through early 1977. It started when he landed in London, by accident, and then went to Germany, on the way to Egypt, Pakistan, and Thailand, which was under martial law. Then he continued on to Bangladesh. Travel alone in these countries was chancy, especially at that time, but the author had college friends whose families welcomed him. However, he flew to the Philippines on his own, and managed quite well.
This book is the story of an adventurous life in an era different from today’s world in many ways. It is also a story of overcoming adversity. It is an excellent read for people who enjoy thrilling stories of recent history.
Midcentury Tales: Unfettered Youth (Book) - 2/15/2022 12:48:16 PM
For those of you that read this book as I wrote it and serialized it here, I dearly would love your full review where it is sold, particularly Amazon.
But Amazon is at the end of the supply chain. If you buy from my publisher, Booklocker.com, and use the code word "Save20" you will get 20% off and my royalties will be at least 100% more than the measly $2.30 I get five months later from Amazon.
And be sure to watch the trailer on my website above or on YouTube here… https://youtu.be/Wh6-4FlKC58
Ron
Released From Reality (Book) - 10/27/2021 2:49:44 PM
Thank you for sharing, Ron, "the man"!!!
Love ya!
Jane
The Last Wanderer: Last Man on Earth (Book) - 8/31/2021 9:27:32 AM
hI Ron , The story sounds very interesting . Perhaps in a way it might become a reality for us. The world is not heading in a good directionand i fear for our future in many ways. I am glad you are writing . it is such a great way tocommunicate with others. I am trying to get back to the den. Hang in there and keep going forward! Blessings , Mary grace
The Last Wanderer: Last Man on Earth (Book) - 6/3/2020 3:52:25 AM
The purpose behind Ron books is not just entertainment. Through each book he tried to say something vital and it seems he got success so far in that. I wish more and more these types of books from him.
The Last Wanderer: Last Man on Earth (Book) - 11/17/2019 2:19:46 PM
Love the premise of The Last Wanderer and excited by the prospects of how your literary imagination has shaped the novel as a whole. On one obvious level this appears to be a post-apocalyptic tragedy presented in individualistic style. I feel, however, there's a great deal more beneath the surface that makes this more than a worthwhile read. At any rate, I downloaded the sample pdf and am enjoying it. Always amazed and inspired by how prolific your pen remains.
The Last Wanderer: Last Man on Earth (Book) - 8/11/2019 10:11:59 PM
I enjoyed reading The Last Wandered by Ronald W. Hull, who happens to be a MHS 1961 graduate with me. We visited at 2011 50 Yr. MHS1961 Reunion - and have been in touch so know how hard he works on his writing.
While I would HOPE that we will not have an END OF DAYS situation to deal with in the United States - today's political unrest makes that a very possible option. I enjoyed Ron's use of Map Route and scenic locations as he traveled throughout looking for other living people Was pleased when he did find some - however situations did not work out - and actually alone.I don't think I would want to survive in such drastic circumstances - but he used many talents to survive for many years himself.
Glad to hear that earth would have chance to recover and offer LIFE - even if the people did not. Congratulations RON for your many publications! and Keep Writing.
The Last Wanderer: Last Man on Earth (Book) - 7/30/2019 5:42:25 AM
Ronald Hull’s The Last Wanderer is a remarkable tale of survival in a post-apocalyptic world. One might begin by asking why anyone would choose to survive in such a world, with humanity on the brink of extinction and hazards looming everywhere. The answer, I think, is that the survival instinct is inborn. Dr. Hull’s hero shows amazing ingenuity in overcoming every obstacle in his path while exploring wide swaths of the North American continent, devastated by the effects of climate change and nuclear meltdowns. The few fellow human survivors he meets are soon lost to him, and even his animal companions fall by the wayside, so he must struggle on alone.
It might be too much to ask of our current leaders, but I wish they could be encouraged to read books like The Last Wanderer. They would no doubt point out that it is fiction, and angrily deny that the planet could possibly come to this. Worse, they would resent any implication that their poor stewardship might be responsible. But something tells me a scenario like this, with one environmental disaster triggering the next, is all too plausible, and might be closer at hand than we think.
The Last Wanderer: Last Man on Earth (Book) - 6/12/2019 11:41:38 PM
Hmm... Sounds interesting.
I may look into this.
Because i just love stories of survival against the odds.
Impolite Stories: Sex, Politics & Religion (Book) - 5/31/2019 5:45:32 AM
You really shook me up with "Brain Dead"! Also, the gypsies.........."Azure" was taught well. I remember living at home still and having the garden hose missing along with the white picket fence from around my mothers garden, and anything else the gypsies could get their hands on. Also, while in Finland, the gypsies with their long skirts and darker skin would tell you your fortune if you crossed their palm with silver. Fantastic job, Ron!!! 'Sounds like you ended up with a bit of PTSD!!!
Love ya!
Jane
The Kaleidoscope Effect (Book) - 4/7/2019 7:52:11 PM
This is a perfect book for sci-fi lovers. It is a fast moving novel that traverses a broad swath of time from the beginnings of mankind on earth to the far reaches of intelligent life far beyond our planet. Mr. Hull uses well-defined and relatable characters to put forth a creative narrative that will expand the domains of even the most devoted science fiction enthusiast.
The Last Wanderer: Last Man on Earth (Book) - 3/29/2019 10:34:45 AM
Ronald Hull captures the imagination with this book about one man's journey across a land empty of its human population because of the finality of nuclear war and its aftermath. It is insightful and filled with wonderful moments when he makes a connection with other living things. You can feel the ache of his loneliness as he realizes he may never see another human being. You can feel his protective love of other creatures in the absence of human contact. It amplifies the importance of our web of family and friends, of even the basic connection with other thinking beings, and the loss when it is taken from us. It emphasizes the resilience of the planet and the reality that we are just one part of the life making up this world. Other animals and plants take back the asphalt paths and stone mansions we have built as life goes on. Ronald Hull has written a wonderful book.
I Lost My Identity (Short Story) - 9/27/2026 3:50:19 PM
I'm glad you did not let your caregiver drive you back and forth to work, even though you were struggling to drive yourself. You did your best, and then you also found your billfold on the bathroom floor.
I have known you for a long time on AuthorsDen, and I always see you as a normal person without any difficulties you had to deal with. I never knew all the struggles you faced daily. This revelation has opened my eyes. Each of us has our own battles within ourselves that we are constantly fighting, and others don't know about.
I Lost My Identity (Short Story) - 8/22/2026 8:42:05 AM
We always have to be careful. Don't put all your personal information in one wallet. You only need your health card and your credit card with you, just in case of an accident. That is how I do it. I leave other important cards and personal information at home.
I Lost My Identity (Short Story) - 8/4/2026 3:27:23 AM
The initial incident may have happened for a precautionary reason. You made the necessary adjustments for better security.
Sybil’s Identity Theft (Short Story) - 7/30/2026 4:01:47 PM
You really kept me reading on this, Ron! I did not think they would ever find that woman! Just reading about all their running around to try and find her before she vanished made me tired. It would be nice to think that most cases of identity theft are solved, but I'm sure they are not.
It's tempting to say that some of Sybil's reactions seemed a little immature. But I've lived long enough, remember my own sometimes, and seen enough of others to know people do often react to bad things happening in ways observers can't understand. I believe it's our unconscious giving us a chance to emotionally adjust so we will handle the crisis better. (I'm not a psychologist, so that's just my opinion!)
Thank you for the opportunity to read your story.
Sylvia Nickels
The 250 Massacre (Short Story) - 7/8/2026 1:46:11 PM
Hey there! I just finished your story and wow I couldn’t stop imagining it panel by panel. Your writing has such strong visuals. I’m a professional comic artist, and if you’re ever curious about adapting it, I’d love to chat. You can find me on Discord (laurendoesitall) Instagram (elsaa.uwu).
Warm regards,
lauren
The 250 Massacre (Short Story) - 7/6/2026 10:03:32 AM
Hi! I just wanted to say that I really enjoyed your story your writing style is truly engaging and unique. It kept me hooked from start to finish. I’d love to know, what inspired you to start writing stories?
Sybil’s Identity Theft (Short Story) - 3/19/2026 4:00:56 AM
Your story was intriguing as the name of your setting. So illustrative of what can be perpetrated from a stolen purse in the wrong hands.
Talking Dead (Short Story) - 3/18/2026 3:55:20 AM
Perhaps it's an open for him to watch his back. Or, the dream is telling him he's bitten off more than he can chew.
Sweet Melody of Life (Part 2 of 3) (Short Story) - 3/14/2026 7:12:04 PM
Thus far, it appears Sam has found a congenial and conscientious caregiver in Lovely.
Father's Secret (Part 3) (Short Story) - 3/14/2026 11:31:51 AM
Having gone through all three parts now, I have to say that your attention to detail keeps the story alive and growing. The hiring of help and the process in the 3rd part of generating a successful business was sweet success. Couldn't help but see much of the 3-parter, a fictionalized memoir of sorts. Much of what you've shared over the years seemed to buttress the story with a subtext that proved enjoyable as well. Keep writing, as you seem to enjoy the process of extracting feelings and philosophy that is the result of your many years of adjustment. A lot of hard work went into this 3-parter. Congrats!
Sweet Melody of Life (Part 1 of 3) (Short Story) - 3/14/2026 4:04:48 AM
Desperate times bring those who are desperate out of the woodwork.
Father's Secret (Part 3) (Short Story) - 2/15/2026 8:16:05 PM
That was real and that was a raw slice of life. Now I want to hear what happened to the kids.
Father's Secret (Part 3) (Short Story) - 2/15/2026 2:15:24 PM
The truth eventually catches up with you. Ansel and Audrey didn't have to answer to anyone in death.
Father's Secret (Part 2) (Short Story) - 2/15/2026 2:10:21 PM
Perhaps Ansel and Audrey are suited for each other, and I don't meant that kindly.
Father's Secret (Part 1) (Short Story) - 2/15/2026 2:04:26 PM
Ansel has the mettle to succeed. Even more so with a woman for wind beneath his wings.
Deep Closet (Part 3) (Short Story) - 2/12/2026 4:18:10 PM
Well-played to the end.
Deep Closet (Part 2) (Short Story) - 2/12/2026 2:39:03 PM
Rod's undercover work in New York is trying to catch up to him.
Deep Closet (Part 1) (Short Story) - 2/12/2026 1:42:42 PM
A fascinating segment fraught with danger and intrigue.
Cracks (Part 3} (Short Story) - 1/30/2026 8:28:22 AM
If only Charles Hamilton had manned up and mailed Earl's mother a substantial check without leaving his forwarding address.
Cracks (Part 2} (Short Story) - 1/30/2026 8:21:19 AM
Thus far, cracks are not Earl's undoing. He's made cracks his life calling.
Cracks (Part 1} (Short Story) - 1/30/2026 4:08:16 AM
I'm liking Earl's story. Thus far, his obsession with cracks has put him on the fast track for bettering his lot in life.
Cracks (Part 1} (Short Story) - 1/28/2026 8:12:35 AM
Interesting ...
I guess even OCD has its place in various aspects of the world.
This is very readable...so I can't imagine why this would be rejected ....except perhaps for the weird link about a third of the way through ....not that it leads anywhere.
Now I'm wondering how the story evolves ... ;}
Where Have All the Authors Gone? (Article) - 8/31/2026 3:44:27 PM
Ron, This was quite a long but very interesting ramble. I could identify with the stages that books and publishing have gone through over the decades that you noted. I've also noticed writer-friends that were here on ADen have stopped writing and I watch to see if and when they shut down completely. As for me, I think about dropping out, but still like being able to "publish" whenever I feel like it: stories, poems, articles. I also tell myself that my four novels are still available through iUniverse.com and the dues for ADen is my investment in marketing them. My style is social realism, which may soon be of more interest to people in the present hostile political environment. Hope springs eternal. So I pay up, keep writing and watch the world turn. Good to hear from you, old writer-friend!
Warren Z. Watson - Renaissance Man (Article) - 7/23/2026 4:08:49 PM
I would love to have known this amazing person. Thanks so much for sharing him!
I Now Have a Top SEO! (Article) - 6/19/2026 12:06:02 PM
I did as you suggested, I looked up my name. I'm listed through Amazon.com That's fine, it could lead to more sales. The websites don't do such a great job at selling the books. Better to sell through the book publisher/sales sites. I like my bio best, the actress and astronaut have moved on from this world.
Is AI Liberal? (Article) - 6/15/2026 5:40:29 AM
Thanks for writing this piece. I too liked your explanation that AI is based on the past and that it does not "think." Only humans (occassionally) think. Also your explanation of political conservatives--wanting things to go back to the "good old days" and not change anything--helped me to understand the "conservatives" in my community. They don't want change because it is hard for them to understand. Being conservative means everything is set up already. No need to "think." I'm liberal minded too. I think adaptation is necessary for survival. AI is just another tool we humans have created to help us solve problems and face challenges. Change is the only constant.
Is AI Liberal? (Article) - 6/13/2026 6:23:55 AM
Your essay takes a wide‑angle view of AI that feels refreshingly grounded in both history and human nature. I appreciate how you separate the mechanics of computation from the deeper, analog complexity of human thought — a distinction that often gets lost in the hype. Your point that AI “looks backward” while human insight leaps forward is especially sharp. Your exploration of conservatism versus openness to change adds an honest layer to the discussion: not as an attack, but as an invitation to examine how memory, myth, and comfort shape our reactions to new technologies. People can agree or disagree, but let's leet discourse, curiosity, and civic humility be a welcome counterbalance to the noise that we hear all around us in today's world. Well done, Ron.
Is AI Liberal? (Article) - 6/13/2026 5:04:45 AM
Some time ago I came across a journalist, Tim Mucci, who wrote extensively about AI. I kept one of these thoughts and have it posted on my wall next to my desk, just to remind me of what is, what could be, and why its essence is important. "AI is not a flash-in-the-pan technology. It’s not a phase. Over 60 countries have developed national AI strategies to harness AI’s benefits while mitigating risks. This means substantial investments in research and development, reviewing and adapting relevant policy standards and regulatory frameworks and ensuring the technology doesn’t decimate the fair labor market and international cooperation."
There are thoughts of his that parallel yours. Thanks for posting.
Imminent Danger (Article) - 6/11/2026 9:34:13 AM
No one wants to doubt the warnings! There have been terrible storms, fires, floods etc. But the weather reporters sometimes don't know whether it will rain or not. You cancel every event you worked so hard to organize...and then it's sunny and nice. With all that technology, it's still anyone's guess!
Imminent Danger (Article) - 6/10/2026 10:32:24 AM
We do get good laughs when weather people report about storms. Yes, they are sometimes destructive, and it's nice to warn people, but many times the melodrama is the show.
Imminent Danger (Article) - 6/9/2026 12:38:32 PM
Global warming, creating climate change, is measured and real. The climate effects are found to be more severe every year.
But my satirical intention with this article was to spoof the lengths that weather reporters go when reporting weather, all trying to move up the ladder of success.
It all got started by Dan Rather, as he explains, in 1961.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmJnbeRr0vc
Imminent Danger (Article) - 6/8/2026 7:37:56 PM
The danger is real enough, but so is the power of that quality of humanity which prompts one to reach out with loving concern to a brother or sister or friend during such dystopian times. Thank you for sharing this deeply moving communication. Hope you hear from your brother soon.
Letting Go (Article) - 5/17/2026 11:36:40 AM
Dear Ron, what an amazing story you have shared of your hopefulness, resilience, and strength. You have my admiration and respect for choosing a path that has moved you forward and so engaged with life. What an incredible role model you are.
Thank you,
Myra :)
Armageddon? (Article) - 3/1/2026 7:17:06 PM
We will be very fortunate if we manage to emerge from this madness without nuclear armament. God save us from the right wing religious politics of any nation.
Nostradamus prophesized a 7 month war in 2026. Is this it? He also prophesized the death of a great leader. Dare we hope?
Rebecca
Armageddon? (Article) - 3/1/2026 11:00:31 AM
A thoughtful and sobering reflection, Ron. Your blend of geopolitical concern with personal memories of Iranian students gives this piece a human depth that’s hard to ignore. The warning you raise about escalating tensions—and the way ideology can eclipse our shared humanity—feels especially timely. Your call for fairness, cooperation, and restraint is a needed counterweight to the fear and rhetoric of the moment.
Armageddon? (Article) - 3/1/2026 9:27:58 AM
Thanks for posting this! I too am opposed to this war that Trump has started. But I recall George W. Bush also wanted to take down Iran. He could not do it because Russia and China walked away from Bush's attempted coalition against "terror." So I suspect this war was something the Pentagon wanted all along. Trump became their perfect puppet. We all know that Trump will use this war to cancel the election so he and Netanyahu can both rule the entire world by deception and hate!
Better Late Than Never (Article) - 8/23/2025 9:26:48 AM
A very interesting article article Ron, a lot of information in it, quite a bit. I will take some of it in consideration and I thank you for it. Great article! Thank you and God bless!
Better Late Than Never (Article) - 8/20/2025 6:27:48 AM
Wow, you covered a lot! I started in Word Perfect. And it truly was! Solid, every feature worked! But the Corporation I worked for at the time said everyone's using MS Word. We had a converter but not all the features would convert well into MS Word. Finally the boss threw out Word Perfect. Sad for me! MS Word from 98 to 2000 was full of bugs. When I took an Excel class the teachers admitted that it was full of bugs and they showed us some of them! MS was pushing to dominate the market! They succeeded! The last time I bought a desktop computer, the clerk at the store suggested I might not want to get any kind of MS product on my computer. But I foolishly got MS Word. Now MS is trying to take over my computer--trying to push out any GOOGLE that I use. Next time will be different for sure! Also, I've noticed AD users complaining. So far I haven't had many problems. Since I'm also a photographer, I provide my own photos. Maybe that protected me on that issue. Good to hear the details of your high tech journey!
Letting Go (Article) - 6/8/2025 5:25:32 AM
Wow, I just read your entire piece. Amazing! Your attitude gave you a better life than you would have had. As I age and become more "disabled" I will always think of you and tell myself to adapt and keep going! You are a hero! I admire your strength and durability! Peace and love to you!
Letting Go (Article) - 6/7/2025 1:58:19 PM
Ron, I want you to know that down through the years you have been an inspiration to me. Your deligence, tenacity and even your letting go have encouraged me more than a few times. Thank you for sharing this very personal and impressive reflection of your life. You are apprieciated. In recent years I've learned the necessity and the spiritual beauty of letting go of things and people most precious to me. It is a difficult trial to pass through but the end of it is a true release. So glad you and Beh have each other to depend on and love.
Letting Go (Article) - 6/7/2025 4:48:19 AM
Steven Hawkins comes to mind..He taught millions of people that spirit soul is beyond the body. He talked about ideas not his body an I called him "our brain in a bottle". Evolution requires 'we become' and that can be difficult! Throwing out old clothes we outgrow can be difficult but growth is our purpose.
Letting Go (Article) - 6/6/2025 3:21:01 PM
You are a testimony to an enduring and positive spirit, Ron. Thanks for sharing. God bless you as you embrace each day!
Losing Things (Article) - 4/12/2025 10:14:22 AM
Apparently the loss, or danger of losing, valuables of one kind have helped you to discover values of a different nature. Fortunately for readers like me, your illuminating intelligence and gift for sharing engaging stories has remained very much intact and steadily increased over the years. Much gratitude for this compelling read on lessons learned from things lost and found.
Congressman Al Green (Article) - 3/12/2025 8:54:50 PM
Excellent article Ron. Three cheers for big Al Green for sticking it to that pathological liar Trump.
The Good Atheist (Article) - 3/12/2025 3:13:24 PM
You are not going to believe this, but, I agree with you! There are many good and fun-loving atheists in the US. Perhaps more than some hypocrites who call themselves Christians.
There is still a small group of Samaritans living in Samaria. Over time, most assimilated with the Israelites, but the hard-core Samarians try to maintain peace with the Palestinians in the West Bank, and Israelites.
I used to discuss true Christianity, the one Jesus started at Pentecost, which has nothing to do with religions, with many atheistic scientists. You can't claim an intelligent designer over evolution and expect to get science grants and shunned from science. Therefore, it was easy to find atheists to discuss science over creation, which they would probably call debates.
God doesn't condemn people to hell. We do that on our own by not accepting His saving grace.
The only good God considers good works is when we do them according to His will through what He gives us through His spiritual gifts. Everything else He considers "filthy rags", and since there wasn't toilet paper back then, it doesn't take much imagination to know what the filthy rags consisted of.
Congressman Al Green (Article) - 3/10/2025 4:16:29 PM
Thanks for your post! As writers we need to spread the word in opposition to the greed and hate that is attempting to destroy democracy and social rights. I have published my thoughts here at Authors Den also. Another important action we need to do is donate whatever we can to progressive groups we belong to. Let's build a better world!
Congressman Al Green (Article) - 3/10/2025 11:56:42 AM
I applaud you for this article! Very plain spoken, revenant, and above all, accurate. I wish we had an Al Green in Tennessee. But all we have are fascist sycophants.
Rebecca
Falling (Poetry) - 9/27/2026 12:31:38 AM
A most interesting read with this uncharacteristically long poem. obviously, you have a lot of experience with this. Enjoyed your insights.
Like (Poetry) - 9/21/2026 6:14:09 PM
Very clever! Absolutely, like, whatever, you know?
A wonderful capture, Ron!. 👍🏻
Carolyn
Like (Poetry) - 9/18/2026 6:53:31 PM
Your poem call LIKE strikes a chord. You trace its evolution from a gentle, almost tender word to a filler that now clutters speech and dilutes meaning. The poem’s subtle humor and its closing echo of “you know, you know” underline how language sometimes frays through overuse. You’ve taken a small linguistic irritation (an irritation it is, I have often noticed my students using the word like this) and turned it into a thoughtful reminder that words deserve better than to be tossed in as verbal padding.
Like (Poetry) - 9/18/2026 5:24:40 PM
Couldn't agree more. Your expression of this anomaly in poetic phrases is a great way to reveal its non-sensical nature. Such an annoying word used the way you proffer.
Tawny (Poetry) - 9/17/2026 12:59:21 PM
What a charming and heartfelt story! Tawny is filled with vivid family history, resilience, and irresistible puppy love. Tawny’s playful spirit shines through every line—what a beautiful tribute to a very special dog and the family who adored her.
Tawny (Poetry) - 9/17/2026 12:54:01 AM
Thank you for sharing this beautiful tribute, Ron.
Creating Our Future (Poetry) - 9/14/2026 12:47:15 AM
AGAIN, MY FRIEND...YOU ALREADY KNOW WHERE I AM COMING FROM. OF COURSE, WE ARE ON A SELF-DESTRUCT PATH. AND WE DON'T HOLD HOUR FUTURE IN OUR HANDS, GOD DOES. BUT WHAT AMAZES ME IS HOW 'SIMPLE' THE SOLUTION IS; "...EVERY KNEE MUST BOW AND EVERY TONGUE CONFESS THAT JESUS CHRIST IS LORD..." THINK ABOUT IT! THIS IS ALL THAT GOD IS ASKING FOR; OUR RECOGNITION THAT 'HE IS GOD AND GOD ALONE' WHO CREATED THE HEAVEN, EARTH AND ALL THAT IN THEM IS AND WHO HOLDS IT ALL IN PLACE. AMEN. IT IS SO SAD THAT FOR MANY, THE 'SOLUTION' TO OUR DESTRUCTION...IS ENTIRELY TOO SIMPLE AND TOO HUMBLING. THANKS FOR SHARING, RON. LOVE, BLESSINGS AND FAITH...HIS+INSPIRATIONS
Legacy (Poetry) - 9/14/2026 12:32:07 AM
I GET WHERE YOU'RE COMING FROM, MY FRIEND, AND I GUESS THAT FACT THAT I'VE GOT AN 'AGENT'...IS A GOOD THING. NOW DON'T GET ME WRONG, CERTAINLY A WRITER DOES THEIR VERY BEST TO GET THEIR WORK 'OUT-THERE'. BUT WHERE MY ABILITIES FALTER AND COME SHORT(AND THEY OFTEN DO) MY AGENT, GOD, HE'S GOT IT ALL UNDER CONTROL. HE PLACED ALL GIFTS WITHIN ME AND HE WILL MAKE SURE THAT THEY TOUCH AND REACH WHOMEVER ... THAT'S THE BOTTOM LINE FOR ME. AT 81 THIS REALLY TAKES A BIG 'LOAD OFF'. THANKS FOR SHARING. LOVE, BLESSINGS AND FAITH...HIS+INSPIRATIONS
The Last Second (Poetry) - 9/14/2026 12:15:50 AM
HMMMMM, WELL...YOU ALREADY KNOW HOW I FEEL ABOUT AI, RON...
HOWEVER, MY DAUGHTER WHO IS DOING SOME EDITING FOR ME HAS A 'GIRLFRIEND' CALLED AI. SHE KNOWS HOW I FEEL BUT 'SUGGESTED' THAT HER 'GIRLFRIEND' COULD 'UPDATE' MY BOOKCOVER WITH ME MAKING WHATEVER CHANGES I DESIRED. I TRUST MY DAUGHTER...SO, I AM IN THE PROCESS OF 'CORRECTING'. HMMMMMMM(SMILE). THANK YOU...LOVE, BLESSINGS AND FAITH...HIS+INSPIRATIONS
ICBM (I See BM) (Poetry) - 9/14/2026 12:03:45 AM
NEVER SAW THIS COMMERCIAL BUT...THANKS TO YOU, I DID TODAY. I LOVE BRAN AND RAISINS, HOWEVER I PREFER TO 'CBM' WITH FRUITS, NUTS, VEGGIES, WATER AND 'HOT COFFEE'...WORKS EVERY TIME(SMILE). THANKS FOR BEING 'YOU' RONALD. LOVE, BLESSINGS AND FAITH...HIS+INSPIRATIONS
Tawny (Poetry) - 9/13/2026 11:54:02 PM
GREAT SHARING, RON...! A TERRIFIC LOOK AT THE LOVE FOR LIFE THAT CAN BE EXPERIENCED AND ENJOYED WHEN CENTERED AROUND THE LOVE OF A 'TWANY' DOG. AND I GUESS THAT'S WHAT IT'S REALLY ALL ABOUT...LOVING SOMETHING/SOMEONE... OTHER THAN JUST YOURSELF. ENJOYED. LOVE, BLESSINGS AND FAITH...HIS+INSPIRATIONS
Tawny (Poetry) - 9/13/2026 6:01:39 PM
You capture (in this) the loyalty, joy, and unconditional love that defines the human/dog bond. A dogs selfless love, that doesn't judge, and remains constant and protective. r
I Witness (Poetry) - 9/13/2026 4:25:24 PM
25 years later, we revere the bravery of both the living and those gone, but perhaps the most telling feature of the 25 years is how radically terrorism has changed. So many different ways to frighten and wound us, if not kill, until we are now immersed in more sophisticated means. Cyber terrorism is a constant battle, and what might be coming with AI assistance is truly a fear we should have to face, but inevitably, this kind of threat will continue.
Tawny (Poetry) - 9/12/2026 12:24:01 PM
Ron, this is such a sweet slice of life poem. It made me wish I could have met little Tawny.
I Witness (Poetry) - 9/11/2026 11:46:37 PM
Thank you Ron for sharing this deeply-moving account of your experience of watching 9/11 unfold from a televised distance and yet absorbing the same trauma as the rest of the world's inhabitants on that horrific day.
Ironically, I've never noticed this poem before because I did not join AD until around 2004 and this poetic response was posted just over a week after the attacks. I feel like I was meant to read it on this 25th anniversary of 9/11 because of its vivid almost tangible recreation of the historic moment.
Legacy (Poetry) - 8/29/2026 1:19:44 AM
You’ll live in the hearts of those who took the time to know you.
The Last Second (Poetry) - 8/26/2026 8:51:32 AM
It can be frustrating. I've certainly found that out firsthand. Still, I've found A.I. is beneficial for research, and at times helpful in clarifying facts. But I always double or triple check with other search engines. Elon Musk said: "A.I. is like summoning the demon." Yes, there's that part of it for sure. Especially at this stage of development. A.I. can be powerful, no doubt, but it demands careful handling to avoid unintended consequences. A.I. is not just about ease of access to information and tools, but about how we integrate it into our human values, ethics, and self-awareness. Time will tell. Thanks for sharing. Peace. r
The Last Second (Poetry) - 8/22/2026 6:55:05 AM
You lay out clearly how a single frozen second can hijack an entire day. The mix of frustration, humor, and irony—ending with everything “up‑to‑date” after all—makes this a relatable, interesting piece.
Legacy (Poetry) - 8/15/2026 6:34:03 AM
Your poem treats this question of legacy with your usual clarity and steadiness, reminding us, writers and readers alike, that writing is one of the few ways we leave a trace that time can’t easily erase. A thoughtful reflection, a legacy in itself.
Legacy (Poetry) - 8/14/2026 11:17:01 AM
By the cringe, Ron! In all the years I’ve known you through poetry, I feel I really do know the person behind the words.
Your consistent “OK-ness” <~~~ Brit wit! Your consistently high quality, your insights, and seeing you write so generously, while also giving so many insightful reviews yourself, I’m forever stunned by it.
It’s a rare quality you have, along with your staying power on AD.
Creating Our Future (Poetry) - 8/13/2026 4:58:39 AM
I hope we make it, Ronald, become 'homo sapiens superior' instead of homo sapiens inferior toxic trash. lol
Pushing (Poetry) - 8/12/2026 3:37:31 PM
This is awesome Ron! Life is so fragile and short, we should enjoy the time we have being ourselves, once again I love this!
Pushing (Poetry) - 8/3/2026 9:25:47 AM
All human beings navigate their own agendas - whether through self-awareness, moral and spiritual reflection, or the recognition of self-interest as a driving force. "Pushing" our own agendas should always be self-directed, selfless, and aligned with a greater good. Perhaps you should take your own advice. r
Video War (Poetry) - 7/26/2026 10:38:40 AM
You captured the time we live in spot on. The recent years of development in warfare are both impressive and utterly desturbing. Killing people is now a video game in a way it has never been before.
I heard from a friend in Germany that young people now call other people they don't know NPCs. (Non Playable Character) A term used in video games for the other charactars that you can interact with but not play.
Video War (Poetry) - 7/25/2026 7:19:47 AM
It's mano a mano in the Spanish, thus mano to mano struggle. Let's give tradition its proper weight. Otherwise, this piece cuts right to the core of how easily war becomes abstract when distance and technology shield us from its human cost. Your contrast between the old mythic “hero’s struggle” and today’s remote, AI‑driven warfare is sharp and unsettling. The poem reminds me that when conflict becomes entertainment — games, movies, screens — we risk losing the very humanity that should restrain us. A clear, sober message, delivered with your trademark directness. Nicely done on an important topic.
Video War (Poetry) - 7/24/2026 1:00:32 PM
I think your title hits the nail exactly on the head.
Everything we see is a video of some sort, be it a movie or a news reel... we can't verify any of it for ourselves.
Personally, I don't watch news channels or read papers; they are all sourced from the same propaganda outlet.
I just step back and see what unfolds. It's never quite as it was depicted.
I agree too that video games have played a very dark role in shaping how people view the world ... guiding young minds into a certain mindset; so easy on which to prey at a later date. Heaven help our poor children.
R
Lost Poem (Poetry) - 7/22/2026 10:00:47 AM
I cannot glove this enough!
I used to have a routine here too back in the early 2000s, and then walked away kind of like when you go into a room and go, "Now, what was I looking for again," and then 20-some years passed! I think it's okay if you missed your one-day.week ... I've also been told that when one worries over their memory or senility it's not when you can't find your car keys ... it's when you pick up your car keys and try to use them like a pencil or you pick up a pencil and think you can start your car with it ... that's when things get a bit confusing.
Seems you got your pencil restarted ... without your car or your keys. Looks like things are going to be okay. :)
p.s. "hoping against rope" <----epic line!
Lost Poem (Poetry) - 7/21/2026 4:34:05 AM
Not to worry, your chance have that place, but they are made to be broken. I also have a routine and try to write the whole Monday but it doesn't always work. It's not there's always the next day. Forward march.
Ode to Zippy (Poetry) - 7/14/2026 6:20:42 PM
Lynn,
Such a heart warming poem…speaks volumes of the mutual love between a man’s best friend and his owner.
There’s no way a person can understand the bond who’s never known the love of a dog.
Truly, man’s best friend in this life—unconditional love.
You are blessed; so is Zippy!
Ode to Zippy (Poetry) - 7/11/2026 4:57:17 PM
Now this is real poetry. Beautifully done. Great last stanza.
So linger, Zippy, in these tender hours;
Your courage teaches more than words can say.
A dog’s soft strength outlasts the fading powers—
And lights the dark until the final day.
Thank you for sharing.
Ode to Zippy (Poetry) - 7/11/2026 1:56:40 PM
Sad and happy, sad but real, our love for our four legged friends whose lives are brief but none less lived.
Ode to Zippy (Poetry) - 7/11/2026 10:14:37 AM
I've lived here for 44 years. But it is only recently on Zoom with some spinal cord injured friends that I met Lynn. He was only 2 miles from me in Southwest Houston. I visited him and Zippy earlier this year.
Similar to Stephen Hawking and Freddie Everett (Houston based guitarist/singer/songwriter like Jimi Hendrix) Lynn is an amazing guy.
I didn't know he was a poet until he sent me this brilliant piece for his beloved buddy. I hope that when you read it you'll leave a comment for him because I've given him the link so he can see what you wrote.
Ron
Technicality (Poetry) - 7/6/2026 1:11:40 PM
INEVITABLY WE ALL RUN INTO 'TECHNICALITY' DIFFICULTIES. AND REALLY IT SEEMS, IN AS FAR AS MY COMPUTER IS CONCERNED...IT IS MORE OFTEN THAN NOT LATELY. SO WHAT DO I DO? I DO NOT FRUSTRATE MYSELF BUT SO MUCH AND EVENTUALLY ADMIT I CAN'T DO IT ALONE...ASKING FOR HELP. WHICH USUALLY COMES FROM A FAMILY MEMBER, WHEN THEY GET THE TIME(SMILE). DO,YOU REMEMBER THAT SONG...'THAT'S THE WAY IT GOES....' ? THANKS FOR SHARING, MY FRIEND. LOVE BLESSINGS AND FAITH...HIS+INSPIRATIONS
Rockets' Red Glare (Poetry) - 7/4/2026 11:26:42 AM
This poem has lots of images, cultural links and history flowing through it. I'm compelled to re-read it several times so I don't miss some of the connections and comparisons. It truly sets off a stream of thoughts that I'm amazed to consider.
Rockets' Red Glare (Poetry) - 7/3/2026 11:50:31 AM
Truly a memorable celebration of 250 years of the democratic experiment, the only nation on earth that has enjoyed such longevity thru the democratic expression and voice of the people. May it continue to do so for ages hence.
Technicality (Poetry) - 6/30/2026 4:30:41 PM
Very humorous! You are shoulder to shoulder with Lear, Nash, and Pam Ayers in this comic vein, Ronald.
All the best
Kenny
Technicality (Poetry) - 6/30/2026 3:12:28 PM
We've all experienced these kinds of frustrations. I suppose you could construe time as your ally in these instances; it gives you the space to diagnose and fix what's bothering you. Crazy is really a miserable frame-of-mind. r
Technicality (Poetry) - 6/27/2026 8:09:52 AM
Ah, such frivolity and fun, really loved this one, and so true and probably in all our experiences.
Political Parties (Poetry) - 6/20/2026 9:25:59 AM
I like the way you flip the word party from something joyful to something rigid and transactional. The contrast gives the poem its sting. Your critique of loyalty tests, money pipelines, and agenda‑driven politics comes through with clarity, and the call to stay independent feels real rather than idealistic. A sharp, timely piece.
Political Parties (Poetry) - 6/20/2026 8:41:32 AM
"Party all night long" indeed. Critical independent assessments are a lot healthier for what we like to call our democracy than the flood of misinformation, disinformation, and intimidations that drive some of the most consequential choices we will ever make in our lifetimes. Enjoyed the read.
Crippled Cartography (Poetry) - 6/14/2026 5:15:17 PM
You haven't lost your amazing way to write poetry while giving us the realities of life, true as they are. Thankyou for your gift of poetry and your knowledge that comes with it.
Crippled Cartography (Poetry) - 5/31/2026 11:20:52 AM
Reading this made my skin crawl, Ron. I have to give you credit; you have concentrated on those things that your disability has not prevented you from doing. It's obvious you haven't been disabled by your disabilities, you remain able by the abilities you continue to minister to. In that context, I'm thinking that the only true disability would be a crushed spirit. A uniquely constructed insight. Blessings to you and your caregiver... rlc
Utter Nonsense (Poetry) - 5/29/2026 10:47:07 PM
THANK YOU, RONALD...UTTER ENJOYED, THOUGH NOT ENTIRELY UNDERSTOOD,(SMILE) BUT...THAT WAS THE OBJECT, WASN'T IT?!? LOVE, BLESSINGS AND FAITH...HIS+INSPIRATIONS
Crippled Cartography (Poetry) - 5/29/2026 10:43:56 PM
I SEE THAT YOUR 'CRIPPLED MAP' INCLUDES PTSD. INDEED, YOU ARE SO 'RIGHT ON', RONALD. 'AI' JUST CANNOT DO EVERYTHING A HUMAN CAN. THERE ARE SPECIFIC AREAS WHICH 'REQUIRE' THE ABILITIES OF DEDICATED AND CARING 'HUMAN BEINGS' ...WHO CAN FULLY UNDERSTAND AND TREAT A VALID HUMAN MENTAL DIAGNOSIS SUCH AS...'SEVERE PTSD & AUTISM SPECTURM'(WHICH MY SON ASA HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED TO HAVE) HUMANELY. THIS IS AN AREA ...WHERE 'AI', THAT IS 'A MACHINE' ...CANNOT ALIGHT. I'VE COME TO UNDERSTAND AND HAVE BECOME CONCERNED ABOUT THE FACT THAT THERE IS AN 'AI' NOW BEING DEVELOPED THAT GIVES ITS...OPINION...ON HOW LONG AN INDIVIDUAL SHOULD LIVE!?! THUS, MY REJECTION OF...'AI'...ON ANY LEVEL, BECAUSE 'MODERN SCIENCE' DOESN'T KNOW WHEN TO STOP...AND IT'S POSITIVELY 'FRIGHTENING'!!! THANKS FOR SHARING. LOVE, BLESSINGS AND FAITH...HIS+INSPIRATIONS
I See People (Poetry) - 5/23/2026 10:07:00 AM
Last night, May 23, 2026, I was attempting to watch the fast moving plot of the MGM movie, Mercy, about the AI trial of an LA police officer and detective who was framed for the killing of his wife, when I dozed off. I was reclining in my wheelchair with my feet up, something I often do when watching a commercial free movie like this one where I don't have to put my feet down and go to my computer to play solitaire while waiting for the long commercials to get over.
At 83 and with interrupted sleep all night long to ask to be turned to avoid pressure sores, if I get up early like I did that morning, I tend to doze off in the afternoon or evening…mostly, a sign of age rather than anything else.
I hadn't seen any people for some time, but as I opened my eyes directly above me, about 5 inches from my face was a middle-aged white woman with dark hair to her shoulders. She wasn't beautiful but had the look of a rugged woods person with a flannel red shirt. She nodded her head up and down, as to affirm that I wasn't dead, and disappeared. The most common phrase that I see when finding obituaries of old friends and acquaintances is, “She/he died peacefully in sleep."
I think my vision of her was my affirmation that I was still alive.
Ron
Utter Nonsense (Poetry) - 5/23/2026 7:40:53 AM
Ron, you’re clearly having a grand time letting language run wild here. The mock‑pompous tone, the deliberately tangled phrasing, the sly insults delivered with a wink, all provide a welcome diversion to our routine day. What I enjoy most is how the poem keeps shifting gears: from comic bluster to surreal imagery to a final shrug about the fleeting nature of words themselves. It’s mischievous, self-aware, and exactly the kind of nonsense that doesn't feel like nonsense at all. Great stuff.
Utter Nonsense (Poetry) - 5/22/2026 2:16:22 PM
Ron, you play with words, like flying birds, in our universe, command to be heard! I really love this Ron, thank you! I’m
Promise of Spring (Poetry) - 5/17/2026 8:38:38 PM
WHAT A MARVELOUS WORK! THANK YOU RONALD FOR THIS 'ODE TO SPRING' THAT CERTAINLY INSPIRES. LOVE, BLESSINGS AND FAITH...HIS+INSPIRATIONS
Semi-Colon (Poetry) - 5/17/2026 8:35:08 PM
I HARDLY EVER USE THE 'SEMI-COLON' BUT, HMMMM....MAYBE. SINCE I AM OPEN TO 'SOME CHANGES'(NOT AI!)...I JUST MIGHT TAP INTO THIS, TRIPLE-DOT-REPLACEMENT(HUGE SMILE). THANKS FOR SHARING, RONALD. LOVE, BLESSINGS AND FAITH...HIS+INSPIRATIONS
Mine Eyes (Poetry) - 5/17/2026 8:23:45 PM
IT CAN'T HAPPEN FAST ENOUGH FOR ME. DEAR GOD...PLEASE COME, EVEN NOW...IN THE NAME OF JESUS! AMID THE ATROCITIES I SOMETIMES TEND TO FORGET...GOD IS ALLOWING THIS AND, CLEARLY...HIS RETURN IS CLOSER NOW THAN IT HAS EVER BEEN. SO, YES...MINE EYES 'SEE' TOO, RONALD BUT I'M LOOKING AT THE ULTIMATE VICTORY OF...AN ENTIRE NEW EARTH, AMEN! THANKS FOR SHARING. LOVE, BLESSINGS AND FAITH...HIS+INSPIRATIONS
I See People (Poetry) - 5/17/2026 8:14:10 PM
INTERESTING, RONALD. HOWEVER...NO. I SEE NOTHING LIKE THIS AT ALL. EITHER I AM DREAMING WHEREBY I MIGHT SEE MANY THINGS HALF OF WHICH I DON'T REMEMBER... OR...FULLY AWAKE, SEEING NOTHING. NOW, THERE ARE TIMES WHEN I 'FEEL' PARTICULARLY CLOSE TO GOD AND 'FEEL' HIS PRESENCE, HIS PEACE AND LOVE. IT'S SO REAL I CAN TOUCH IT, AND I DO SPIRITUALLY. THAT'S WHEN 'HIS INSPIRATIONS' FLOW AND I AM FILLED WITH HIS WORDS. DIFFERENT STROKES FOR DIFFERENT FOLKS AND I CAN ONLY SUGGEST, IF YOUR INTERESTED...PRAYER(SMILE)... FOR A CLEARER UNDERSTANDING. THANKS FOR SHARING, MY FRIEND...BLESSINGS. LOVE, BLESSINGS AND FAITH...HIS+INSPIRATIONS
I See People (Poetry) - 5/17/2026 2:42:13 PM
An interesting poem. I have seen such people as well when I'm in that place between sleep and fully awake. Are they real? Or some sort of phantasm? Who knows? I just know they mean me no harm so I roll over and go back to sleep.
Rebecca
I See People (Poetry) - 5/15/2026 11:39:13 AM
Worked with someone, before I retired, who struggled with this. Based on what you've described, you could be experiencing 'hypnopompic hallucinations'. Perhaps you should research it Ron, and if the condition persists, you might want to consider contacting a specialist. Thanks for sharing.
I See People (Poetry) - 5/15/2026 10:59:01 AM
Unlike the famous film with Bruce Willis called The Sixth Sense in which a young boy says the classic line: "I see dead people." It turned out at the climax of the film that the Bruce character was dead all along when dealing with the young boy.
As for your experience, one which I have never had, you are probably somewhere in-between, a kind of half sleep which might account for what the mind is creating, not as in a dream where we do see people, but in a kind of half-awake dreaminess where, as you said, you feel no fear of them. Most interesting.
Mine Eyes (Poetry) - 5/9/2026 10:28:18 AM
Ron, this is a sharp and unflinching parody. By echoing the cadence of the Battle Hymn, you give the poem a moral gravity that fits the subject. Each couplet tightens the indictment—lies, devastation, hoarded wealth, blind power—and the final turn, when the loyalists fall away, comes across as if inevitable, a clear, strong piece that speaks truth without resorting to shouting.
Carolina Chickadee (Poetry) - 5/9/2026 8:32:16 AM
There are chickadees in a very low lilac bush in our yard . They are happy inside a branch . Nice poem
Semi-Colon (Poetry) - 5/2/2026 11:52:08 AM
Love the word-play, especially this one. Aren't we all kinda "semi-finished". Enjoyed immensely.
Semi-Colon (Poetry) - 5/2/2026 11:34:27 AM
An uncomfortably whimsical read; for those needing it the humor helps to deal with the pain.
Semi-Colon (Poetry) - 5/1/2026 1:52:15 PM
I hate semi colons.
Rebecca
IM Dash (Poetry) - 4/29/2026 7:35:03 PM
To dash or not to dash. Thats a good question to ask my old English professor.
Rebecca
IM Dash (Poetry) - 4/25/2026 7:29:08 AM
Hi Ron, this is a playful lexiconical sprint I like. Your wit poems are wonderful. I hope you will write one about the semicolon. Or is it semi-colon? We hardly see them anymore. Or is it any-more? Crack on with your sparkle, Ron* ~~ djl
Promise of Spring (Poetry) - 4/24/2026 6:58:44 PM
I can picture it, and I can feel it. I want to be in it, thank you.
Carolina Chickadee (Poetry) - 4/23/2026 6:19:38 AM
What a charming poem! I'm happy that you are finding joy in such a small package.
Rebecca
Promise of Spring (Poetry) - 4/22/2026 9:57:25 AM
We are having beautiful Spring weather as I read your words.
Things do change and it is a time to refresh and start over. I loved reading this Ron.
Rose
A Beauty Rose (Poetry) - 4/22/2026 9:53:30 AM
What a beautiful poem, it touched my heart. Thank you for sharing.
Rose
Bot Invasion (Poetry) - 4/19/2026 11:59:42 AM
It's a painful thing to acknowledge but a predatory mindset has apparently established a very aggressive culture of predatory practices forcing all of us to live in a state of constant self-defense. Don't think enough people are paying enough attention to just how dangerous the "Bot Invasion" has become. Appreciate the powerful meaning-filled read.
Promise of Spring (Poetry) - 4/19/2026 11:52:39 AM
Short spring is indeed. Thanks for the wonderful read.
Carolina Chickadee (Poetry) - 4/10/2026 3:48:19 PM
As one nature lover to another, I feel you'll appreciate this...
My first Spring here; I watched a Wren repairing an old nest in the stable. But as she worked, a storm blew in and the nest broke away from its anchorage.
Taking a tin can from the bin, I cleaned it out, and screwed it to the beam; then carefully arranged her broken nest inside it.
To my delight she returned and repaired it again; and there has been a Wren family in that nest every year since.
Carolina Chickadee (Poetry) - 4/10/2026 12:10:23 PM
I appreciate how the chickadee becomes both a visitor of the present and a messenger from your northern past. The way you weave memory, place, and the quiet resilience of these small birds gives the poem a comforting continuity. A lovely reminder of how even the smallest creatures can anchor a lifetime of observation. A gentle and heartfelt poem.
Carolina Chickadee (Poetry) - 4/10/2026 10:25:16 AM
There are some birds that teach us to be patient observers of life, and also understanding of others instead of being blatantly judgemental. The different kinds of Chickadees, the Tufted Titmouse, Warblers, Sparrows, Wrens, and Gnat-catchers, are certainly some of them. For us here in the foothills of the Cuyamaca Mountains, the small things, like watching birds, is one of our most enjoyable pastimes. Enjoy the little guys Ron. They can teach you a lot. r
Wishy-Washy (Poetry) - 4/4/2026 11:14:22 AM
A thoughtful reflection on how gentleness and steady learning shape a life more meaningfully than force or ambition. I especially liked the image of sharp stones worn smooth — a quiet metaphor for wisdom earned over time, something that I have written about not long ago as well. Well done.
Beautiful Interloper (Poetry) - 4/3/2026 10:27:35 AM
I had some flowers bloom against my house several years ago. They were gorgeous and very hardy. Someone eventually told me they were weeds but I let them run. Eventually the yard man ripped them up without my knowing and they never returned. They were beautiful while they lasted.
Rebecca
Beautiful Interloper (Poetry) - 3/30/2026 8:18:50 PM
delightful, ron, well-rhymed and as welcome as the flowers in may.
Beautiful Interloper (Poetry) - 3/30/2026 8:33:43 AM
The interloper teaches that we can all grow together, a beautiful lesson in life!
Beautiful Interloper (Poetry) - 3/27/2026 11:38:48 AM
Quite a fine and thoughtful piece of work. I enjoyed how the ‘interloper’ shifts from suspicion to welcome, becoming part of the garden’s quiet story. The purple phlox feels like a small lesson in patience and acceptance.
Beautiful Interloper (Poetry) - 3/27/2026 10:39:48 AM
I love this bright poem about acceptance. And gardening!
Oh, My Fart (Poetry) - 3/27/2026 10:39:13 AM
I really wish that someone would have the courage to write that this poem stinks.
Ron
Oh, My Fart (Poetry) - 3/20/2026 4:24:50 PM
Oh, Ron, Ron, Ron. The things only you can say!
Rebecca
Survival Imperative (Poetry) - 3/16/2026 10:02:26 PM
WELL, RON, I AM SURE THAT YOU ALREADY KNOW WHERE I STAND. FOR, INDEED, THE WORD OF GOD TELLS US THAT WE ARE ON A COURSE THAT ONLY 'LOVE'...THAT IS 'THE LOVE OF GOD' CAN CHANGE! NOTHING ELSE WILL WORK! ONLY WHEN WE RECOGNIZE THAT OUR LIVES ARE NOT IN OUR HANDS, BUT 'HIS'...ONLY THEN CAN THIS DESTRUCTIVE SPIRAL THAT WE ARE ON...BE STOPPED, BY GOD ALONE. FOR, '....EVERY KNEE MUST BOW AND EVERY TONGUE MUST CONFESS...' AMEN. THANKS FOR SHARING. LOVE, BLESSINGS AND FAITH...HIS+INSPIRATIONS
All the Songs (Poetry) - 3/16/2026 9:52:31 PM
IT IS A SHAME WHEN ONE THINKS ABOUT IT; WORDS THAT FLOWED SINCERELY FROM HUMAN HEARTS AND EMOTIONS THAT GAVE HUMANITY WHAT IT NEEDED, ESPECIALLY IN OUR HISTORY'S 'TRYING TIMES'...WILL NOW BE COMING FROM UNFEELING AND UNCARING...TECHNOLOGICAL IRON!!! WHICH GIVES US...NOT WHAT WE SINCERELY NEED TO HEAR BUT WHAT...SELLS!!!! AT 81, GIVE ME THE OLD HYMNS...I AM CONTENTED AND FINE WITH THEM, AMEN. ENJOYED, MY FRIEND. LOVE, BLESSINGS AND FAITH...HIS+INSPIRATIONS
Bot Invasion (Poetry) - 3/16/2026 9:45:17 PM
THANKS FOR THE WARNING, RONALD...AND YOU ARE 100% RIGHT! I CANNOT OPEN MY EMAIL OR GO ON-LINE, BUT FOR SOME 'OFFER' THAT IS 'TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE' POPPING UP. I IGNORE OR DELETE THEM IMMEDIATELY, BUT THEN...IN THE BACK OF MIND THERE IS THIS 'TEMPTATION' THAT SAYS...'WHAT IF IT'S LEGITIMATE'?!? WELL, I GUESS I'LL NEVER KNOW HOW MANY 'OPPORTUNITIES' I MAY HAVE 'IGNORED'...'CAUSE IN THIS WORLD WHERE THE 'BOT INVASION' IS PREVALENT ONE CAN'T TAKE CHANCES AND THAT'S JUST THE WAY IT GOES. LOVE, BLESSINGS AND FAITH...HIS+INSPIRATIONS
Bot Invasion (Poetry) - 3/14/2026 11:31:55 AM
You capture the rising tide of digital intrusion with a sharp, almost playful urgency. The poem moves from humor to genuine alarm as those “elastic” bots creep closer to the things we trust most. I especially like how the final stanza turns into a call to vigilance — a reminder that in this new landscape, awareness is our best defense.
Bot Invasion (Poetry) - 3/13/2026 11:37:51 AM
It's a scary but timely picture you've drawn here. I'm not sure rhat the bots can be reined in at this late date, though. If I was able I'd get off the grid completely!
Rebecca
All the Songs (Poetry) - 3/11/2026 8:58:30 PM
This is beautiful Ron, but there are songs yet to be written! I love the Nike commercial just do it, and in our case just write it!
All the Songs (Poetry) - 3/7/2026 6:49:22 AM
A witty piece, Ron. You capture the songwriter’s dilemma with humor and a touch of resignation, and the refrain works beautifully as both truth and satire. The nod to Willie Nelson gives it charm, and the closing lines smile. A fun, clever reflection on creativity in an age overflowing with songs.
All the Songs (Poetry) - 3/6/2026 12:59:15 PM
Which is exactly why we hear of legal cases charging someone with copyright infringement. A frustrating time for songwriters of all genres.
Rebecca
Mistakes Made (Poetry) - 3/4/2026 3:40:40 PM
Thank you for this poem, Ron. Your finishing thought is so appreciatively medicinal. I’m returning to AD for just these kinds of levities and credibilities; it is a way to elevate mental health to come here and enjoy and/or appreciate the creativity and enriching thoughts in the Authors Den. Reading comments is also wonderful, such as Jms Bell stating your reviews are valuable; they are in my opinion also, genuine sincerity. I like that, for it is constructive critique. Carry the flame* ~~ djl
Survival Imperative (Poetry) - 3/4/2026 3:28:52 PM
Inclusively wonderful what you wrote in the introduction, “The course we are on….”. I think lots of us feel like your AI art here, Ron. I focus on the perfection of this stanza among the very good ones:
“ Where everything ate,
Everything its own way,
Some of it, predator,
Most of it, prey.”
Write on! ~~ djl
Survival Imperative (Poetry) - 3/2/2026 3:27:03 AM
This piece draws a powerful line from the universe’s violent beginnings to the violence we still carry within us. Your tracing of evolution—from star dust to predatory instinct—makes the warning unmistakable: what once ensured survival now threatens our future. The call to change our behavior feels urgent. A clear, sobering reminder of the stakes we face in today's world..
Survival Imperative (Poetry) - 3/1/2026 7:03:36 PM
For all our supposed intelligence we are our own worst enemy. What other creature on this earth has the capacity for total annihilation? As you say, we're eating ourselves alive. And we're taking everything else with us.
Rebecca
My Pome (Poetry) - 2/23/2026 7:36:25 AM
Love this! It made me laugh just before I was put in the dentist's chair.
Rebecca
Love Is (3) (Poetry) - 2/22/2026 3:50:01 AM
Now that is a poem to post on my fridge, its important message speaks to me Ron. Have a blessed day, thank you for being a poet.
My Pome (Poetry) - 2/22/2026 3:48:38 AM
Oh Boy! Mooooo. Love the art and the funning spirit dear poet
My Pome (Poetry) - 2/21/2026 9:39:28 AM
Just proves that sweet little ditties can have meaning and leave their mark. Enjoyed, especially the misspellings!
My Pome (Poetry) - 2/21/2026 9:30:24 AM
In a world that is so screwed up, it's a breath of fresher air to get on one's hands and knees and crawl along while reading this frolic in your inimitable fashion. Reminds me of the days when one could find this kind of imagination in Reader's Digest or Saturday Evening Post. Fun romp. Enjoyed.
My Pome (Poetry) - 2/20/2026 6:43:56 PM
Now this is a style with which you Shine! Ron*. A clever, creative, frolicking pome it is. You have a knack for it. It didn’t even occur to me that your title was a typo; and sure enough it was only the first of may glints of print. Your AI is a very cute cow, and your gurl cow, in that case, could actually be a cutie, you didn’t specify which kind of burst at the sems…seams it was an unraveling. But could be ‘love’ or ‘lost’. Please do some more of these — I’d not tire from the fun of reading them. Thanks ~~ djl
My Pome (Poetry) - 2/20/2026 12:07:05 PM
UNSUAL AND DIFFERENT..........................
Mistakes Made (Poetry) - 2/20/2026 12:05:15 PM
A great poem that says so much! We all make mistakes at times, but if a person can recognize some and correct them, it will help.
The Mess (Poetry) - 2/17/2026 4:48:50 PM
This world is in a mess because Trump doesn't know what he is doing. The guy is very sick, and he doesn't want to admit it. He should step down while he still can walk.
Sandie
The Mess (Poetry) - 2/15/2026 7:11:26 AM
I hate mess; that's why I always clean up after myself. Everything has its place, otherwise, I don't like it. But what you say is true: I enjoyed your poem, in spite of the mess.
Mistakes Made (Poetry) - 2/15/2026 12:26:29 AM
I HOPE IT WASN'T WITH YOUR REVIEW FOR ONE OF MY SHARINGS THAT YOU WORRIED ABOUT. AS YOU, RONALD W. HULL, ARE ONE OF THE MOST 'CANDID' REVIEWERS HERE ON AD. AND, GUESS WHAT...THAT IS WHAT I LOVE AND APPRECIATE SO VERY MUCH ABOUT YOU. KUDOS!!!! LOVE, BLESSINGS AND FAITH...HIS+INSPIRATIONS
Love Is (3) (Poetry) - 2/15/2026 12:22:07 AM
WELL, I DON'T AGREE THAT; LOVE IS NEVER BLUE, 'CAUSE... LOVE CAN GET 'PRETTY BLUE' AT TIMES. BUT STILL, IT IS LOVE THAT TAKES ONE ...THROUGH THE 'BLUE'. I LOVE THIS SHARING, RONALD, ENJOYED. LOVE, BLESSINGS AND FAITH...HIS+INSPIRATIONS
The Mess (Poetry) - 2/15/2026 12:14:37 AM
YES, I TOTALLY AGREE WITH YOU. TO SUM IT ALL UP...THIS WORLD IS 'A MESS'. AND BECAUSE I AM LIVING HERE IN MY 'HOME' OF AMERICA, IT SEEMS LIKE THE GOOD OLD USA IS SHOWING THE SAD, SAD 'DECLINE' THE MOST! HOWEVER, I AM ZEROING-IN ON YOUR VERY LAST LINE, AND ALL I CAN SAY IS....'NOT ME!!!!!' I AM NOT IN DOUBT AT ALL...! I READ MY BIBLE AND 'EVERYTHING'... ABSOLUTELY 'EVERYTHING'...IS GOING JUST AS GOD PROHESIED THAT IT WOULD, AMEN. THANKS FOR THE SHARE, MY FRIEND. LOVE, BLESSINGS AND FAITH... HIS+INSPIRATIONS
Love Is (3) (Poetry) - 2/13/2026 11:13:42 AM
Readers responded well to your ‘Love Is’ poem, Ron. Rightly so, and my favorite is stanza #5, especially the first line. Wisdom is in that line, for definition is a challenge, a pain, a pleasure. I appreciate your post today, because there is a mighty torrent of love’s antithesis swirling through the atmosphere of our whole world….and we can sure appreciate breaths of love and roses in order to keep lifting our eyes open. Thanks, Ron*. ~~ djl
Use Me Blues (Poetry) - 2/13/2026 8:38:16 AM
nice poem song. It says a lot in the stanzas!
Love Is (3) (Poetry) - 2/13/2026 8:35:37 AM
SO BEAUTIFUL , YOU have captured many , many aspects of love and how it affects multitudes It is definitely something we need to know and feel.
Mistakes Made (Poetry) - 2/9/2026 6:01:43 AM
Profound wisdom, Ron, indeed, only he who does nought makes no mistakes other than fail to live a life, they live a life of misery.
May you keep making mistakes Miss Take knows what she can take.
Love Is (3) (Poetry) - 2/8/2026 6:50:06 AM
Oh Ron, such an open-handed hope that love, in all its forms, could belong to us all. Never lose that inner beauty and the dreamers, lovers and hopeful may yet win.
Mistakes Made (Poetry) - 2/7/2026 6:25:24 PM
I believe we all have made mistakes over the years but I know I have learned from mine so that's a good thing. I don't think I have ever repeated the same mistake. Your words let mistakes help shape your way. Very wise.
Rose
Love Is (3) (Poetry) - 2/7/2026 6:19:52 PM
Ron you put all your lines perfectly for all to understand. I love it. Why can't everyone make love, not war. We have one life to live so why not give. Thank you for sharing.
Rose
Love Is (3) (Poetry) - 2/7/2026 1:10:02 PM
This is a very uplifting poem Ron, right on time for Valentine’s Day! I love it!
Love Is (3) (Poetry) - 2/7/2026 6:57:28 AM
This poem has a broad generosity of spirit. I like how you move from innocence to experience with such ease—beginning in an infant’s eyes and ending with the call to “make love, not war.” The poem feels freshly spoken, a reminder that love is simple, complex, joyful, painful, and evolving. Well done.
Mistakes Made (Poetry) - 2/3/2026 10:38:38 AM
Mistakes are an integral part of living. I can honestly say, they've been my best teacher. I've never made the same mistake twice. Thanks.
Mistakes Made (Poetry) - 1/31/2026 7:06:19 AM
Some genuine wisdom here, Ron. I like how you distinguish between the mistakes that can be mended and the ones that simply become part of our story. The tone is steady, honest, and reassuring—reminding us that mistakes don’t define us so much as shape us. A kind, grounded piece.
Use Me Blues (Poetry) - 1/30/2026 7:51:41 PM
Simply put, it’s beautiful! Thank YOU!
Mistakes Made (Poetry) - 1/30/2026 5:05:27 PM
A poem of great thoughtfulness and wisdom. It's good that you can look back on your life and see the balance it contained.
Rebecca
Mistakes Made (Poetry) - 1/30/2026 1:27:39 PM
I loved this one. Such truths.
Use Me Blues (Poetry) - 1/28/2026 9:10:10 PM
THIS WORK MAKES ME THINK OF ASA, MY SON, DIAGNOSED WITH ACUTE PTSD AND AUTISM SPECTRUM...! DEEP SORROW, BUT THEN, WHEN HE SINGS ME THE BLUES ON THE PHONE(LITERALLY)...GREAT JOY FOR GOD IS STILL WITH HIM! THANKS, MY FRIEND, FOR SHARING. LOVE, BLESSINGS AND FAITH...HIS+INSPIRATIONS
Days of Yore (Poetry) - 1/28/2026 9:00:21 PM
YOU KNOW ME, RON, I SAY...RESOLUTELY, PERHAPS NOT! WHERE WOULD WE BE WITHOUT THE 'PERSEVERING STRENGTH OF YESTERDAY' WHICH HAS USHERED INTO THIS PRESENT TIME! LET'S DO AS THE SONG SAYS (...SHOULD OLD ACQUAINTANCE BE FORGOT...) AND NOT ENTIRELY FORGET, THE 'BRIDGES' THAT HAS BROUGHT US OVER. ENJOYED, THANKS FOR SHARING. LOVE, BLESSINGS AND FAITH...HIS+INSPIRATIONS
Freeze Again (Poetry) - 1/28/2026 8:47:40 PM
FOR THOSE POOR CREATURES IN THE NORTH AND SOUTH POLES WHO ARE SUFFERING BECAUSE OF CLIMATE CHANGE...I CAN ONLY PRAY THIS FREEZE REACHED SO FAR AS TO HAVE MADE AT LEAST A TEMPORARY DIFFERENCE IN THEIR QUEST TO SURVIVE. BUT THEN ON THE OTHER HAND...I PRAY THAT THOSE OF US IN THE AREAS OF THE 'INNER' LOCATIONS ARE SUFFICIENTLY SUPPLIED WITH WHAT THEY NEED TO MAKE IT THROUGH. GREAT WRITE, RONALD...THANK YOU. LOVE, BLESSINGS AND FAITH...HIS+INSPIRATIONS
Freeze Again (Poetry) - 1/25/2026 1:47:35 PM
Your AI skills are good, Ron….and the writing effected a shock of delivering the Big Chill….especially that our vessels burst when we freeze to death. Yikes! I’m sorry for everyone who has to be too cold and that we humans were not given hide and fur. I guess maybe not, but we sure have no creature protections, do we? Thank you for this reminder of the depth of our dependence. You captured the deep freeze perfectly. Carry the flame, ~~ djl
AI for Nothing (Poetry) - 1/24/2026 11:29:22 AM
You do have what it takes to write lyrics, If you play an instrument, it's time to put some chords in there. Thank you for sharing Ron.
Rose
Freeze Again (Poetry) - 1/24/2026 11:23:39 AM
Oh Ron you have captured the weather changes very well. Frost and snow is showing up in the hottest places. We are use to it here in N.S. Canada. Today it is -32 and we are staying inside where it is warm and cozy. I enjoy reading what you write very much.
I want to thank you for reading and reviewing so much of my work. I really appreciate it so much Ron.
Rose
Freeze Again (Poetry) - 1/24/2026 10:39:49 AM
Your poem captures the freeze with scientific clarity (surprise, surprise) and existential weight. I admire how you move from the intimate—cold creeping into Houston—to the cosmic scale of atoms, dark matter, and our fragile blue planet. There's a quiet grandeur, reminding us how thin the line is between warmth and extinction. The final turn toward fear feels just honest about what cold awakens in us. A thoughtful, compelling piece.
Freeze Again (Poetry) - 1/24/2026 8:55:57 AM
Apropos to what is happening to much of the country this weekend. Well written description of what cold can do to living creatures.
Rebecca
Freeze Again (Poetry) - 1/23/2026 1:02:10 PM
Why I don't trust AI to help us survive. ;-)
Changes (Poetry) - 1/22/2026 4:47:52 PM
Oh yes there will always be changes, we have to accept what will be.
Rose
Remembering Them (Poetry) - 1/22/2026 4:44:19 PM
Lost, long loves memories are forever. Thank you for sharing.
Rose
Where Nobody Goes (Poetry) - 1/22/2026 4:41:45 PM
I could hear this being sung as I read it . Great Ron.
Rose
Use Me Blues (Poetry) - 1/22/2026 4:32:50 PM
You really got what it takes to write the blues. I really like it Ron. Thank you for sharing. I just write country songs.
Rose
When I Die (Poetry) - 1/22/2026 4:28:54 PM
Wow Ron, This is a fantastic poem or should I say song. I wish I could write like this. I really enjoyed it.
Rose
The Living Computer (Poetry) - 1/22/2026 4:16:53 PM
Ron computers are the way today, can't seem to live without them. Mine has't been too good to me the past few weeks, my husband did manage to get my email back for me. Great write.
Rose
Days of Yore (Poetry) - 1/22/2026 4:08:51 PM
Ron this is a wonderful song and I will print out the lyrics for sure. I thank you for sharing. I know it will be great.
Rose
Days of Yore (Poetry) - 1/22/2026 7:02:08 AM
And a belated Happy New Year to you, too!
Rebecca
The Living Computer (Poetry) - 1/22/2026 7:00:41 AM
I gave up trying to voluntarily keep up long ago.
Rebecca
Use Me Blues (Poetry) - 1/20/2026 9:36:11 AM
A work of imagination, or reflective of something that actually happened... either way you strike a bluesy chord. rlc
Go with the Flow (Poetry) - 1/18/2026 6:09:15 PM
My favorite verse:
Sailing the silent solar wind,
Riding a comet around the sun,
Sucked into a bleak black hole,
Or from the galaxy outcast flung.
Wonderful imagery!
Rebecca
Where Nobody Goes (Poetry) - 1/18/2026 6:00:38 PM
Sing it, Ron!
Rebecca
Upon a Mind Clear (Poetry) - 1/18/2026 5:48:45 PM
What's that old saying about history is written by the victors?
Rebecca
When I Die (Poetry) - 1/18/2026 5:30:26 PM
Not sure why because your poem was nothing like it, but I kept thinking of Billy Joel's Can't Stop the Fire as I was reading this. Your lyrics were well constructed and profound. A fitting testimony of a life well lived.
Rebecca
Use Me Blues (Poetry) - 1/18/2026 5:24:31 PM
With every soulful word, I imagined I was in a smoky blues bar, listening to the riffs of the guitar...
Rebecca
When I Die (Poetry) - 1/11/2026 8:36:59 AM
Great poem, fine lyrics, writing about death that is not morose but uplifting. Well done.
When I Die (Poetry) - 1/9/2026 5:44:55 PM
Nice lyrics. Norman Greenbaum's "Spirit in the Sky" has been my favorite song about dying whether you are believer or nonbeliever.
"When I die and they lay me to rest
Gonna go to the place that's the best
When I lay me down to die
Goin' up to the spirit in the sky"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vRFo72wuU6w
The Living Computer (Poetry) - 1/9/2026 10:22:49 AM
How prophetic, scarily so. - your friendly computer - so clever.
The Living Computer (Poetry) - 1/7/2026 3:31:54 PM
71? Wow. I thought I was brilliant with a computer when I could get it to print gibberish with holes on the edges of the printing paper , early 80’s. Look where we are now.
Days of Yore (Poetry) - 1/6/2026 12:13:47 PM
Ron, this is one of my favorites of yours. There is great substance in these lines, each loaded with meaning and mattering. “To all the things left undone,” and its following three lines are my favorite. They are ‘bread and roses’ — bread is the undone things, roses are unknown musicians and undiscovered creations. “To all the world changing under the sun,” together with your contributions, are adding to “…creation’s light…” They offer changes under the sun for online language arts and fine arts that affect anyone who reads, looks, and wants to understand, debate, discuss and be understood. You help in that gift freely given. Thank you for this, Ron* ~~ djl
Days of Yore (Poetry) - 1/5/2026 11:34:36 AM
If I were producing this, I would use two acoustic guitars - six string and twelve string - an upright acoustic Bass, a harmonium, and an oboe ghosting the voices. HNY. rlc
August in America (Poetry) - 1/4/2026 2:11:32 PM
I love the view in your poem. I would like to have experienced it, very good Ron!
Days of Yore (Poetry) - 1/3/2026 10:07:23 AM
That "better world and more" is going to take a lot of work, but appreciate this musical inspiration as we move forward with attempts to get it done. A very happy New Year to you and yours.
August in America (Poetry) - 12/29/2025 6:28:36 PM
This story is vividly expressive and beautifully crafted. The imagery is so strong that it feels as though I was right there on the drive myself.Though I'm not that brave, would have probably booked a flight.
Sue (Poetry) - 12/29/2025 6:20:50 PM
This poem is deeply touching and beautifully sad. The rhyme is impressive and effortless, making the message even more powerful. It’s not easy to express such a personal loss with this level of creativity and clarity. Kudos to you for such a moving piece.
Upon a Mind Clear (Poetry) - 12/29/2025 10:53:25 AM
Alex,
I wholeheartedly agree with you. While Stonehenge is probably the most well known example, sun worship is evident in archaeological findings in almost every civilization on earth.
Rightly so, because we wouldn't be here if we didn't have our benevolent sun to provide us all the energy we have and ever will have. Life on earth would not exist without the sun. So I will accept it as our god and provider. Much better than some fictitious baby ending up creating vicious wars over turf and ideology.
Ron
August in America (Poetry) - 12/22/2025 1:55:29 PM
Enjoyed the story Ron. Related to it, having had similar experiences as well. Thanks for sharing. Happy Holidays. r
Where Nobody Goes (Poetry) - 12/22/2025 3:15:41 AM
HMMMM...SOUNDS LIKE A 'GREAT LIFE' TO ME! BUT THEN, WHAT DO I KNOW? ENJOYED, THANKS. LOVE, BLESSINGS AND FAITH...HIS+INSPIRATIONS
August in America (Poetry) - 12/22/2025 3:13:22 AM
SOUNDS LIKE IT WAS A TRIP WHICH WAS MORE THAN WORTH IT!!! INDEED, YOU WERE TWO BRAVE SOULS AND I AM DELIGHTED THAT GOD WAS WITH YOU...ROUNDTRIP! I WOULD HAVE OPTED FOR THE PLANE, THOUGH I REALLY DON'T LIKE THEM AND 'SLEEP' THE ENTIRE FLIGHT. THANKS FOR SHARING, MY FRIEND. LOVE, BLESSINGS AND FAITH...HIS+INSPIRATIONS
A Drug for That (Poetry) - 12/22/2025 3:05:41 AM
I'M TELLING YOU THE TRUTH....I DON'T EVEN 'GO THERE' WILL ALL THESE 'MIRACLE DRUGS', BUT I'M SURE YOU ALREADY GUESSED THIS. I TAKE OTC... 'MAGNESIUM'(KEEPS ME 'REGULAR'), 'BIOTIN'(SKIN, HAIR, NAILS) AND 'ALLEGRA'(SNEEZE, RUNNY EYES, NOSE DRIP, ETC). BUT ANYTHING ELSE; NO...WON'T DO AND THAT IS THAT! LOVE YA...AND JUST IN CASE YOU DIDN'T RECEIVE MY 'BROADCASTED MESSAGE'; HAVE A MERRY CHRISTMAS! AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR! LOVE, BLESSINGS AND FAITH...HIS+INSPIRATIONS
A Drug for That (Poetry) - 12/21/2025 2:39:28 PM
99% truth my brother I love this piece. God bless merry Christmas and happy new year my brother!
A Drug for That (Poetry) - 12/20/2025 2:24:55 PM
There is a drug for everything I call them the pharmacy druggies, lol, this whisper the side effects or mumble them off so you can't hear, but we are onto them lol, best avoid when you can, sometimes we don't have a choice, but we need to be weary of certain meds, thanks for this, poem Ron, Merry Xmas to you and your family
A Drug for That (Poetry) - 12/19/2025 11:11:40 AM
I see so many drugs advertized on tv nowadays for diseases that I never even heard of, much less for, with side effects that include major problems including "leading to suicide" and even "death". Now who would take a pill with such side effects. I take no pills and haven't taken a pill for half a century.
Where Nobody Goes (Poetry) - 12/14/2025 9:28:53 PM
I really enjoy your verses, Ron. This is a real keeper for me. It captures the essence of the state of ‘have nots. Write what you know and this shows you do and did. My favorite stanza is #3, the line “In nobody’s land.” — as in the movie ‘Captain Fantastic’, “they locked up the food.” I hope you’ll write more verse from your wealth of life experiences, Ron. ~~ djl
Where Nobody Goes (Poetry) - 12/14/2025 10:04:40 AM
Flows nicely Ron. Thanks for sharing. r
Where Nobody Goes (Poetry) - 12/13/2025 4:45:55 AM
I too, ain't a lot
Will join you there.
Where Nobody Goes (Poetry) - 12/12/2025 1:28:42 PM
And blues it is, a bit of fun after a long day. Enjoyed.
Go with the Flow (Poetry) - 12/10/2025 12:19:14 PM
Thanks for providing my motivation for the rest of the week: "...Enjoy the ride’s serendipity..." Enjoyed the read very much.
Go with the Flow (Poetry) - 12/6/2025 9:38:06 AM
I can see the idea of 'going with the flow' expressing indirectly a state of mind that allows for creative problem solving, and a certain propensity (that some possess) that allows them to envision and realize new possibilities. Thanks for your view. r
Go with the Flow (Poetry) - 12/5/2025 11:46:38 AM
The images of highways, rivers, tradewinds, solar winds, comets and even black holes all add up to that one phantasmagoric journey of many of the artefacts of nature employ, suggesting that existence itself is a vast journey, a theme that I have also written about over the years, complemented by my own actual physical journeys. Go with the flow indeed. Sound advice.
Humble Pie (Poetry) - 11/28/2025 10:05:59 AM
I enjoyed this one, Ron. I would agree with the first two thirds of Herlihy's comments, but as a prime violator of the absolutist poetic oeuvre myself, who am I to grumble about forced rhymes and meter? As for 'humble pie', I've always regarded mince pie right up there in the 'delectable' category, alongside rhubarb, pecan and FRUITCAKE! [You, Ron, are an incurable optimist, so this poem certainly is contextually apt! As an incurably pessimistic doom-and-gloom monger, I'll make le geste grandiose et noble to say (as we used to say in the service, BRAVO ZULU).] Our T-Day efforts seem to complement each other, strangely.
Humble Pie (Poetry) - 11/27/2025 5:08:45 PM
A couple of forced lines (and rhymes) are overshadow by some memorable ones, namely:
"Starving in our midst // brushed off as losers evil kissed."
and
"We throw crumbs while passing by // never asking ourselves why."
BTW Humble pie couldn't be worse than mince pie.
Rushin’ Pushin’ Poet (Limerick) (Poetry) - 11/23/2025 8:28:02 AM
A fine limerick short and sweet. Not perfect, but perfectly imperfect.
Tory on the Range (Satire) (Poetry) - 11/22/2025 7:51:34 PM
SOMETIMES...'THE BARONS' ARE THE ONES THAT NEED TO BE WATCHED BECAUSE THEIR OWN 'GLASS HOMES' ARE WHERE THE STENCH AND DECAY IS ....HIDDEN. LABELING AND BRANDING THE INNOCENT BECAUSE OF THEIR NATIONALITY IS DISPICABLE! I RECALL THAT... 'SO A MAN THINKEST...SO HE IS'! THANKS FOR SHARING, RON. LOVE, BLESSINGS AND FAITH...HIS+INSPIRATIONS
Rushin’ Pushin’ Poet (Limerick) (Poetry) - 11/22/2025 7:40:44 PM
GREAT LIMERICK WORK AND SCENERIO! AND IT COULD HAPPEN BECAUSE...ONE'S LOVE FOR THEIR 'MOTHERLAND' CANNOT BE DETERRED. I HOPE THE POOR GUY 'FOUND HIS WAY HOME', AT LEAST...IN ONE WAY OR ANOTHER (-: ...LOVE, BLESSINGS AND FAITH...HIS+INSPIRATIONS
Remembering Them (Poetry) - 11/22/2025 10:58:31 AM
Memories of our loves of the past, well written, for the future too bright to see!
Tory on the Range (Satire) (Poetry) - 11/17/2025 12:59:18 PM
This keen account is so very well summed up with your last line, Ron. “Now that I own the range.” It’s enjoyable to see how you are creating your AI to accompany your writing. No need to worry about infringement when you craft it yourself. Looking forward to your next one…I believe you have skill for limericks, even as society is experiencing humor endangerment :) ~~ djl {thankful for the Portland frogs}
Remembering Them (Poetry) - 11/12/2025 2:24:28 AM
Indeed, Ron, that was then but this is now and you’re always better than before,
Love the rhyming scheme and how it flows.
Poor Little Rich Girl (Poetry) - 11/9/2025 6:23:54 PM
This is such an imaginative story—I’m so glad I got to see it. Poor Little Rich Girl immediately made me think of the Shirley Temple movie. I used to watch all of her films as a child. I found your story truly engaging and wish you continued success with your wonderful and creative stories.
Changes (Poetry) - 11/5/2025 3:34:41 PM
There is never a way to know for sure what the future will bring, change comes and goes, we need to learn to adapt, or perish I guess. Meaningful poem Ronald.
Changes (Poetry) - 11/1/2025 12:04:50 PM
A bit of a philosophical turn here representing a change of pace from some of your other poems. I see here a subtle critique of human attempts to impose meaning on chaos, whether thru divine speculation or rationalization. Quite interesting.
Eye of the Eagle (Poetry) - 10/28/2025 7:16:41 AM
Wow! That is a marvelous AI painting, Ron. It is piercing out the message written below it, a keen accomplishment…all those cameras illustrating the ‘pedestrian photographer’ faster and more accurate as you indicate (individuals’ cell phones posting the ‘real deal,’ unpolished by corporate media and slick magazine pages. Your owl is mesmerizing. Penetrating last four lines. ~~ djl
Eye of the Eagle (Poetry) - 10/28/2025 7:06:01 AM
Intriguing but Social Security always had an eye on us from birth! Meaning they gave us a Social Security number the day we were born, Keep keeping us aware!
Eye of the Eagle (Poetry) - 10/26/2025 9:39:04 AM
Indeed, you make a good point. There are far too many "eyes" floating around, including the now ubiquitous AI and more recently AGI that offer little to no escape. We are being watched in ways never imagined before. Still, it's thru the eye of the needle that I am interested in passing thru and not being gazed upon.
Together (Poetry) - 10/21/2025 9:56:06 AM
This really is where two become one in such a beautiful way.
Always such warm and meaningful poetry.
Together (Poetry) - 10/20/2025 9:54:50 AM
Ron this is such a lovely poem of love and hope. A beautiful picture to go with it.
Together (Poetry) - 10/18/2025 8:58:59 AM
I agree, as usual very good, thank you and God bless you, Ron!
Together (Poetry) - 10/18/2025 6:51:33 AM
Togetherness, a beautiful thing when it happens and comes together, and this makes for a beautiful, heart-felt poem. You are a very lucky man.
Forgetting (Poetry) - 10/17/2025 11:56:49 PM
THANKING GOD TO HAVE LIVED ALONG ENOUGH TO BECOME A PART OF THIS THE THIS EXPECTED, AGE GENERATED 'PACT'....AND PRESSING TO ?!?!??!? H-MM--M...I FORGET WHAT I WAS GOING TO SAY(SMILE)! THANKS FOR SHARING, LOVED IT! LOVE, BLESSINGS AND FAITH...HIS+INSPIRATIONS
Together (Poetry) - 10/17/2025 11:51:21 PM
I AGREE. WHEN 'TWO' ARE PULLING IN THE SAME DIRECTION, TO ACHIEVE THE SAME POSITIVE GOAL...TOGETHER...IS ALWAYS, ALWAYS BETTER! BRAVO, MY FRIEND! LOVE, BLESSINGS AND FAITH...HIS+INSPIRATIONS
Clear My Head (Poetry) - 10/17/2025 2:18:31 PM
Yes, indeed, Ron we have to vent,
from rules and tools we so resent;
they wrench our brains
and torque our wits;
they push us where we do not fit.
They spank us all around the block
undoing everything we thought.
The seriousness is huge we know,
when all about what we do NOT owe.
Commiseratingly Yours,
~~ Diana
Together (Poetry) - 10/17/2025 1:48:42 PM
It seems this has Scene I and Scene II within it: the first rich in emotional connection — “Our future became much brighter,/ Than any past future before.” I like the concept of ‘past future,’ Ron; neat way to express that. The second scene I see presenting the yang to the yin. A real hat toss on the last couplet. . . and I align with that sentiment plenty often these days, too. ~~ djl
Forgetting (Poetry) - 10/17/2025 1:32:42 PM
Well, Ron, I forget how much I enjoy being in the Den and reading what those who I follow are writing. However, I surely don’t forget how much I like reading and commenting on your posts. This one is a ringer…ringing in my ears how prevalent it is to have recollections slip away from us. Truly one you name here is a painful loss . . . names for people’s familiar faces. Mortifying. My favorite stanza is #6, “…writing a story backwards,” — I love that! Thanks, Ron ~~ djl
Forgetting (Poetry) - 10/11/2025 9:57:23 AM
I think there is forgetting and then there is forgetting, a more worrisome kind of forgetting. It's hard to sort it all out. I have lived in many places over the course of my life, but I forget much of the details of what happened. I sometimes have to look at my CV to remember what year I lived in a certain place, although I never seem to forget how long I lived in a place. One year here, two years there, four years somewhere. It's all a matter of perspective, and I have written about it many times in poems. Many things we don't need to remember, so I readily forget them. It's the things that we need to remember that we should remember. Your poem explores the topic well.
Dreaming (Poetry) - 10/10/2025 1:23:51 PM
Thank you for speaking to our unconscious process! It's inspiring to pay attention to our dreams and then act on their messages...a hopeful poem, nicely penned, enjoyed.
All the best,
Myra
Myra Wexler Darwish
Drive No More (Poetry) - 10/4/2025 12:18:22 PM
A very clever and compelling poem that takes us through the fading rituals of driving. I really enjoyed this one, quite inventive even if it is a kind of requiem that mourns its fading relevance.
Clear My Head (Poetry) - 9/27/2025 2:03:29 PM
Poetry, the great clearer! Much enjoyed, digital payment can be convenient until they aren't. Can feel the frustration in your poem, Ron.
Clear My Head (Poetry) - 9/27/2025 1:49:46 PM
It’s just the way it is now Ron, AI is trying to do everything for us. Paying bills online is ridiculous. Thanks for sharing. I feel better myself’!
AI for Nothing (Poetry) - 9/25/2025 1:17:09 PM
You have a flare for song lyrics, Ron, and good for that because art in song, art in word, peeling back constraints and deletions. You are splashing your creativity in revelatory awareness of our ‘sitation,’ — good for you! ~~ djl
Mind Blown (Poetry) - 9/24/2025 2:08:54 AM
It is a frightening thought. How many are unable to think for themselves these days, being led by the nose by others with suspect motives. I am very suspicious of AI myself, yes they come up with some beautiful images but it is all deception of which we must beware.
Jackie
Dreaming (Poetry) - 9/24/2025 1:59:09 AM
That is lovely Ron. It seems I rarely dream now or don't remember doing so and if I do remember having had a dream I usually cannot recall what it was about.
As a child I had vivid dreams, often recurring dreams. I even wrote one of my first poems about it.
Jackie
Strangely (Poetry) - 9/24/2025 1:52:06 AM
Describing life as it really is these days - upside down and backwards. Even people on the other side of our world are all wrong side up now.
I agree with John Herlihy and Jms Bell, it was all prophesied.
