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Tal’s Tales #1: The Unusual Stranger In A Town Of Dust

Focus: Scenery and location.
The Unusual Stranger In A Town Of Dust

Dust and dry dirt covered the wide main road in this little town that was forgotten as the 2 suns met high in the sky. They caused the delicate vegetation to wither away and fragile creatures to seek shelter. In a few weeks, life would flourish. Soon this little town would be full of color and life from the now withered vegetation and fragile creatures. For now, it was only gray, beige, and unbearably hot. Until the suns passed each other, this town would remain lifeless.

Not even rain clouds would venture out of wherever they hid. The only storms that showed themselves were windstorms. These storms caused the dust and dirt to dance around the buildings with the passion and violence of an angry lover scorned.

A well-dressed stranger arrived in a bright blue metallic carriage powered by the latest travel technology, while the 2 suns still fought for the sky. He wore a rich violet suit with a lush emerald shirt. This unusual stranger was accompanied by an even more unique figure who was tinted silver. The silver one tried to cover as much as he could as he got out of the carriage. He carried a bag filled with medical and mechanical tools, while the well-dressed stranger carried nothing.

As they walked into the saloon, the doors swung closed. The wind welcomed them to town by dancing around the main road, causing the once clean and fancy vehicle to match its surroundings.

The stranger saw this through the dust crusted windows and tighten his jaw. His mouth nearly disappeared and his eyebrows furrowed. The dirt covering his carriage would not suit him at all.

He looked around at the saloon and it matched the rest of the town. It was gray, dirty, and lifeless, except for the barkeep that blended into the bar he was sitting at. “You’re either a week late or 3 weeks early.” He said not getting up from his stool.

Want More

All of the stories in this series can be found in the Tal’s Tales section of this site. I also post snippets on my Instagram account and Facebook page.

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Tal’s Tales: A Fun New Project Starting

If you watch my update videos, you will know my writing direction is shifting. I am moving away from articles and blogs. Instead, I will write more stories and poetry. As part of this change in direction, I have started a short story series called Tal’s Tales. The stories will be part of a larger story and use the same characters. However, each story will also be enjoyable as a standalone story. Each installment will focus on a different storytelling or writing aspect.

The major reason I’m writing this series is to improve my writing, so it is more engaging. A secondary benefit is that I hope to reach more of my target audience and show my fiction writing skills.

I’m starting with 30 story focuses. A few of the focus notes will be difficult to pull off, but being challenged is the best way to grow. I am excited to share this series with you and see where it goes.

Why am I telling you all this?

I am finishing up the article series Tiff’s Tips and have put my other series Love Nerd on the back-burner. I may post a few more articles here and there, but my writing focus will be on Tal’s Tales and my other project Royal Memories. Since this will be a shift for the site, creating a post about it seemed appropriate.

What are Tal’s Tales about?

Tal’s Tales is about a group of characters who travel the universe in a living spaceship. Each character is a different species. The overarching focus is how they interact with each other in different situations. It will feel like a wacky sitcom at points and will be a fun read.

Please, give any and all feedback. This is for me to grow as an author, so I welcome all feedback.

Church a poem blog banner

Church (A Poem)

I've been in battle 
with the word all my life.
The hard distant pews 
were too hard of seats for me.
It meant too much 
then too little.
I saw the rules as chains
so it's funny
that when my soul breathed
church is where those chains were broken
and I was truly set free.
Want More?

If you would like to read more of my poetry please take a look at my portfolio. You can also watch a few of my poetry readings.

Let Me Be (A Poem)

Let Me Be (a poem) image
Let me be
in the warm summer air
hugged by loved ones
with their children near.
Let me be
in the lovign garden 
without a single care
with smiles on the faces of those I hold dear.
Let us be
together for now and always.

I wrote “Let Me Be” in July 2020 while I waited for my delayed summer vacation. I was missing my family and longing for our annual summer vacation, which is always a time to relax and be surrounded by love.

Want More?

If you would like to read more of my poetry please take a look at my portfolio. You can also watch a few of my poetry readings.

I'll Wait: A Throwback Video

I’ll Wait: A Throwback Video

I’ll wait is a poem I wrote in 2014 and a throwback video. It performed well on my site, so I did a poetry reading recording of it for YouTube. It then did pretty well on YouTube and is one of my throwback posts.

My throwback posts are my attempt to highlight some of my older work to display my growth, while making sure the work is properly promoted.

I will wait for inspiration to come
for thoughts like a word bubble 
to appear above my head.

I will wait 
until my mind is ready
and my brain turns on
like a computer boting up.

I will wait until my body tells me
it is time to write
and then when patience is no longer needed
and inspiration comes
I will write.

I will write 
watever my mind tells me to write.
My mind whispers to my fingers
and what is scribbled 
in the thought bubble above my head.
When I know what to write
I will ready my body
unleash my mind
and write
but until then
I will wait.
Want More?

If you would like to read more of my poetry please take a look at my portfolio. You can also watch a few of my poetry readings.

Breathe a poem

Breathe (A Poem)

I remind myself
Breathe.
Close your eyes if you must
but breathe.

One, Two, Three.
Inhale the exhale.
Your heart doesn't need to beat so loud.

Breathe. 
There is no real danger,
nothing to truly fear,
so breathe.

Breathe
in with the peace that surrounds you
out with the anxiety that built.

Breathe
in with the love we share
out with the bottled up fear.

Breathe
sometimes I need to remind myself 
to breathe.
Want More?

If you would like to read more of my poetry please take a look at my portfolio. You can also watch a few of my poetry readings.

Where Are You? (A Poem)

where are you? (a poem)
God, where are you
when the world seems dark?
Lord, where are you
when I've lost my way?
Savior, where are you
when I feel alone?
My King, where are you 
when your throne seems far away?
Father Above, where are you
when my heart breaks and turns numb?
Father Above, My King, Savior, Lord, and God
where are you in this day?

God, you are the light of a new day.
Lord, you are the dim lamp that lights my way.
Savior, you are the one holding me up.
My King, you are by my side.
Father Above, you are hugging me tight.
Father Above, My King, Savior, Lord, and God
you are with me making day from my night.

Typically, I publish my poetry towards the end of the month not in the middle of it. However, I really loved how Where Are You came out and couldn’t wait to share this poem with the world.

Sometimes you can’t see God and feel alone. However, He is always there. Most of the time you just have to look for Him. Know He loves you and He is with you.

Want More

If you would like to read more of my poetry please take a look at my portfolio. You can also watch a few of my poetry readings.

Hold Tight (Poetry Reading)

Hold Tight (Poetry Reading)

Hold Tight is a poem I originally published in 2013 and did a recorded reading in 2014. It is this month’s throwback highlight video. This poem is all about holding tight to what is important.

Gripping, ripping
holding tight.
Waking, working
until it's night.
Sleeping, dreaming
but nothing is right;
not here,
not now
when anxiety builds,
and work drains.
Not when my goals
are so far away.
Still I"m
Gripping
to the one I call Lord;
Ripping
away from my old self;
Holding tight
to the promises of God.
Waking
to a new day
and working
until it's night.
Yes I"m
Gripping, ripping
holding tight.
Waking, Working
until it's night.
Sleeping, dreaming
waiting for everything to be right.
Want More?

If you would like to read more of my poetry please take a look at my portfolio or watch a few of my poetry readings.

Poetry visual image for poem

Don’t Buy My Heart (A Poem)

Don't agree with me
when you know we can't be.
Don't stand too close
when my religion feels lost.
Don't buy my heart
when you know one day we will part.

For cuddling seems to near
and that is one thing I fear.
Having the possibility
of home among your arms,
not wanting to release you from my own.

I forget my reasoning,
the excuses are dispearing.
I am alone with the thought
that my heart you may have already bought,
with your laughter and joy
with your friendship and smile
with your intelligence and being loyal
and that would mean all my plans are foiled.
Because the list of how you bought my heart,
well, that could go on for miles.

Don't agree with me
when you know we can't be
So don't buy my heart
when you know one day we will part.
Want More?

If you would like to read more of my poetry please take a look at my portfolio . You can also watch a few of my poetry readings.