Paul A. FreemaN - chaucerian inspirations
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United States to Annex Greenland?

12/1/2019

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PictureGreenland and the Arctic
For some time it's seemed obvious to me that the United States is gearing up to annex Greenland.

Some time back, Mike Pompeo, the Secretary of State, was blathering on about the benefits of global warming - yep, you heard me right. One such benefit, according to the Secretary of State, is that as the ice around the Arctic melts, so the North-West Passage will open up, allowing sea-going traffic from the North Atlantic to access the Pacific Ocean  without needing to pass through the Panama Canal.

Problem is, the Russians, who are just over the other side of the North Pole, have been making noises about having sovereignty over much of the Arctic region. The U.S. would similarly have a sovereignty claim to large swathes of the Arctic region if they had more territory in the region in (they already have Alaska).

Now, remember that Trump suggested the Russians had a sovereignty claim to Crimea because many of the inhabitants spoke Russian and wanted to be part of Russia. Well, expect similar reasoning, though leaning towards Denmark (Greenland's protector) being far away from Greenland and unable to protect Greenlanders from those pesky Ruskies. The US will justifying annexing Greenland by claiming to be the more logical protector, and emphasise the importance of Greenland being a US possession for the security of the Free World, blah, blah, blah.

Anyhow, let's see how the annexation of Greenland plays out!




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World War One Remembrance Day Poem (NEW)

11/10/2019

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Wooed by War

by

Paul A. Freeman

 
Brigades of pals march out like ardent grooms
to nuptial beds dug deeply in a trench;
a duckboard mattress sprung with mud, and booms
of serenading guns can’t dull the stench
of rot and human wastage, while the sludge
conceals assassinating germs that steal
the glimmer of those youths who deathward trudge.
Where thy rose-cheeked bride? Where the bell-tower peal?
Now rifle-wed; now uniformed in serge;
the sky’s marquee rains down upon them shells.
Shrapnel, in confetti bursts, sounds its dirge,
augmented by the gas-alerting bells.
Those men who make it home and take a bride,
what horrors in their wives could they confide?

 
END

(This poem is in particular a tribute to the memory of Wilfred Owen, war poet, who died bravely just before the War to End All Wars came to an end.) 
Picture
Below are links to my Global Short Story Competition winning story, my short-listed story for the National newspaper (Abu Dhabi's annual short story competition) and a story that appeared on the Every Day Fiction site - where you can leave a comment:

http://www.inscribemedia.co.uk/assets/october-ebook.pdf

http://www.thenational.ae/arts-culture/short-story-a-day-for-decisiveness

https://everydayfiction.com/respecting-the-dead-by-paul-a-freeman/

Happy Writing!
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Respecting the Dead

10/27/2019

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PictureSkull and Crossbones Gravestone
My Halloween short story, Respecting the Dead, has been published on the Everyday Fiction site.

The MC is a rather unpleasant sexton at a village church who has little respect for those people buried in the churchyard, and suffers for her disrespect, accordingly.

A link to my short story is below:


https://everydayfiction.com/respecting-the-dead-by-paul-a-freeman/

​Below are links to my Global Short Story Competition winning story, my short-listed story for the National newspaper (Abu Dhabi's annual short story competition) and a story that appeared on the Every Day Fiction site - where you can leave a comment:

http://www.inscribemedia.co.uk/assets/october-ebook.pdf

http://www.thenational.ae/arts-culture/short-story-a-day-for-decisiveness

http://www.everydayfiction.com/the-d-day-diorama-by-paul-a-freeman/#comments


Happy Writing!


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Rebels on a Train Limerick

10/18/2019

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PictureRebels on a Train
Rebels on a Train Limerick

Before the commuters had blinked,
men mounted the train with arms linked.
Then the transport delay
caused a violent affray

and the guys almost wound up extinct.


Making the public aware of the growing environmental crises around the world is of the utmost importance. So the last thing we want to do is alienate the lay person.

Extinction Rebellion's attempts to shut down the Underground system will have nothing but a negative impact. Protest, yes. Hand out leaflets (on recyclable paper), yes. Preventing the free movement of commuters and school children - a big NO!

Below are links to my Global Short Story Competition winning story, my short-listed story for the National newspaper (Abu Dhabi's annual short story competition) and a story that appeared on the Every Day Fiction site - where you can leave a comment:

http://www.inscribemedia.co.uk/assets/october-ebook.pdf

http://www.thenational.ae/arts-culture/short-story-a-day-for-decisiveness

http://www.everydayfiction.com/the-d-day-diorama-by-paul-a-freeman/#comments


Happy Writing!

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Black Face Limerick

9/30/2019

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PictureJustin's Makeup Causes a Stir
Black-Face Limerick

His black-painted face was inciting;
the media backlash quite biting.
And so in the end
he chose to defend
the photos by blaming poor lighting.

Well, what can I say but it was an unwise costume the Canadian prime minister wore.

Below are links to my Global Short Story Competition winning story, my short-listed story for the National newspaper (Abu Dhabi's annual short story competition) and a story that appeared on the Every Day Fiction site - where you can leave a comment:

http://www.inscribemedia.co.uk/assets/october-ebook.pdf

http://www.thenational.ae/arts-culture/short-story-a-day-for-decisiveness

http://www.everydayfiction.com/the-d-day-diorama-by-paul-a-freeman/#comments


Happy Writing!


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Boris Legs It Limerick

9/16/2019

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PictureOù est Boris?
Boris Legs it Limerick

In Luxembourg, Boris's smile,
lasted only a very short while. 
At the sound of, "No Brexit",
he made for the exit
and ran a proverbial mile.


It's hardly the Dunkirk Spirit, Mr Prime Minister.

Below are links to my Global Short Story Competition winning story, my short-listed story for the National newspaper (Abu Dhabi's annual short story competition) and a story that appeared on the Every Day Fiction site - where you can leave a comment:

http://www.inscribemedia.co.uk/assets/october-ebook.pdf

http://www.thenational.ae/arts-culture/short-story-a-day-for-decisiveness

http://www.everydayfiction.com/the-d-day-diorama-by-paul-a-freeman/#comments


Happy Writing!

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Winding Down - A Sonnet

9/16/2019

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PictureRed Giant
It seems like an eternity since I last posted here. For some reason I was unable to post, gave up, and on a whim clicked on the site today. Et, voila!

Anyhow, one of the bigger hits I've had since last July was featuring as a winner in the prestigious Maria W. Faust Sonnet Contest. Mine, Winding Down, is a reverse sonnet, describing what would happen with a contracting universe cosmic model. It was in Group 1 of the competition's Laureate's Choice. Click on the link below:


http://sonnetcontest.org/2019-winners/2019-laureates-choice-group-one/

Below are links to my Global Short Story Competition winning story, my short-listed story for the National newspaper (Abu Dhabi's annual short story competition) and a story that appeared on the Every Day Fiction site - where you can leave a comment:

http://www.inscribemedia.co.uk/assets/october-ebook.pdf

http://www.thenational.ae/arts-culture/short-story-a-day-for-decisiveness

http://www.everydayfiction.com/the-d-day-diorama-by-paul-a-freeman/#comments


Happy Writing!



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Putin Meets Trump Limerick

7/17/2018

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PictureWhen Putin Met Trump
Said Donald, “My dear, darling Poots,
Perhaps we could wear matching suits;
and then, with my tongue,
once your praises I’ve sung,
I’ll happily lick clean your boots.”

Below are links to my Global Short Story Competition winning story, my short-listed story for the National newspaper (Abu Dhabi's annual short story competition) and a story that appeared on the Every Day Fiction site - where you can leave a comment:

http://www.inscribemedia.co.uk/assets/october-ebook.pdf

http://www.thenational.ae/arts-culture/short-story-a-day-for-decisiveness

http://www.everydayfiction.com/the-d-day-diorama-by-paul-a-freeman/#comments


Happy Writing!


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Royal Birth Limerick

4/23/2018

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PictureTown Crier Announces Royal Birth
Royal Birth Limerick 

"How thrilled and excited are we!" 
said the Queen over afternoon tea. 
"For Will's wife, Duchess Kate, 
has concluded the wait 

and delivered up sprog number three."


Well, I haven't posted in a while, what with having to edit three novels, so I thought I'd post something written today.

The Tower awaits me! ​


Below are links to my Global Short Story Competition winning story, my short-listed story for the National newspaper (Abu Dhabi's annual short story competition) and a story that appeared on the Every Day Fiction site - where you can leave a comment:

http://www.inscribemedia.co.uk/assets/october-ebook.pdf

http://www.thenational.ae/arts-culture/short-story-a-day-for-decisiveness

http://www.everydayfiction.com/the-d-day-diorama-by-paul-a-freeman/#comments


Happy Writing!

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'The Perfect Girl' Published in Australia

12/11/2017

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PictureThe Perfect Girl
My daughter wrote a story titled The Perfect Girl, which in a way resembled the story line of the Tom Hanks film, Big. It concerned a girl who was over-aware of her physical appearance and wanted to be 'perfect'. At a tent on a seaside pier she tells a mysterious clairvoyant her wish and the woman grants it. Suffice to say all doesn't go well.

I helped Kimberly edit the story, then reworded areas of it until it was of a publishable standard and submitted it to Fast Fiction magazine where it was published in the Australian magazine's winter (summer in the northern hemisphere) issue.

What a proud moment for me, considering I did not get my first paid publishing credit until I was 36!


Below are links to my Global Short Story Competition winning story, my short-listed story for the National newspaper (Abu Dhabi's annual short story competition) and a story that appeared on the Every Day Fiction site - where you can leave a comment:

http://www.inscribemedia.co.uk/assets/october-ebook.pdf

http://www.thenational.ae/arts-culture/short-story-a-day-for-decisiveness

http://www.everydayfiction.com/the-d-day-diorama-by-paul-a-freeman/#comments


Happy Writing!



​

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    Paul A. Freeman

    Paul A. Freeman is an English instructor working in Abu Dhabi, in the Middle East. He lives there with his wife and three young children.

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