Blog Posts - Paul A. FreemaN - chaucerian inspirations

Don't Get Gulled!

4/15/2023

A little bit of frivolity. I've started writing 'drabbles',which are hundred word stories.

I write them in my head while out jogging, and type them up after I'm showered and spruced up.

What I like most about drabbles is that a later date you can write them up to a different wordage, from a few hundred, to a few thousand!

Sign of the Times

James shrugged. “Perambulate the prom with pleasure,” he read from a sign.

“It’s a gimmick,” I said. “Yargate’s a Victorian seaside resort. It means ‘enjoy your seafront walk’.”

“There’s another sign, Mum!”

Its message, with several undulating, wing-like flourishes above it, read: ‘Don’t get gulled!’

“‘Gulled’ means ‘conned’ or ‘cheated’,” I explained, checking the promenade for dubious-looking characters. “Now let’s get some lunch.”

As we left the chip shop, dozens of sea birds descended, knocking our bags of chips from our hands, then gobbling down our food.

“Why are you laughing?” I asked James.

“Because we just got gulled, Mum!”

Below are links to my short-listed story for the National newspaper and for a couple of stories that appeared on the Every Day Fiction site - where you can leave a comment and a rating if you so desire. WARNING - Exodus Mortis is a bit disturbing:

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

https://everydayfiction.com/oh-christmas-tree-by-paul-a-freeman/

https://everydayfiction.com/exodus-mortis-by-paul-a-freeman/

Happy writing!

Shake Up!

2/26/2023

Earthquake Aftermath

I felt something positive needed to be written (even if fictional) about the Turkey / Syria 7.8 magnitude earthquake.

The story below is a drabble, a 100-word story. Within those hundred words I tried to convey the character of a wealthy man who thinks little of his brother-in-law, but by the end of the story sincerely considers him his 'brother'.

Not wishing to blow my own trumpet, but I was pleased with the result of this story. That said, I'm still learning how to compose a good drabble.

All the best to the survivors of the earthquake.

Shake Up!

“I can’t feel my toes,” I sob, wondering if it’s due to the cold or lack of circulation.

I’m entombed, like an avalanche victim. Instead of snow, however, tons of earthquake-shattered concrete, my once elegant home, traps me.

A flashlight shines in on me. It’s my freeloading brother-in-law. “I got Noora and Susan to safety, brother,” he says.

He vanishes before I can thank him, then reappears with a car jack. He manoeuvres it between the two slabs of concrete trapping me, raises the roof of my tomb and pulls me free.

“I can feel my toes, brother,” I sob.

Below are links to my short-listed story for the National newspaper and for a couple of stories that appeared on the Every Day Fiction site - where you can leave a comment and a rating if you so desire. WARNING - Exodus Mortis is a bit disturbing:

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

https://everydayfiction.com/oh-christmas-tree-by-paul-a-freeman/

https://everydayfiction.com/exodus-mortis-by-paul-a-freeman/

Happy writing!

Sonnet to a Miracle (Aya)

2/10/2023

Baby Born under Rubble

Let’s hope that the remarkable incident of a child born under the rubble of an earthquake-destroyed building in southern Syria, during the country's intractable civil war shines a light once more on the plight of the region and that the protagonists involved in the Syrian conflict can get together around the table.

As for Aya (Miracle), here’s wishing her as normal an upbringing as possible, I imagine with her extended family.

Sonnet to a Miracle

They’ve named her Miracle, that new born child
found in the earthquake’s rubble, still attached
to she who gave her life though hers was snatched.
A neighbour cut the cord and Fortune smiled
upon this dusty innocent whose kin
were suddenly extinguished in a tomb
of debris where a dying mother’s womb
released the baby girl who lay within.
This infant is a talisman of hope
amidst despair where one brief touch of Death
has stilled so many, cutting off their breath--
a miracle to help the helpless cope.
Grow up, sweet daughter! Shun disaster’s blight!
You gave us faith, embrace Life’s joyful light.

Below are links to my short-listed story for the National newspaper and for a couple of stories that appeared on the Every Day Fiction site - where you can leave a comment and a rating if you so desire. WARNING - Exodus Mortis is a bit disturbing:

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

https://everydayfiction.com/oh-christmas-tree-by-paul-a-freeman/

https://everydayfiction.com/exodus-mortis-by-paul-a-freeman/

Happy writing!

In a School of Transformation

2/2/2023

In a School of Transformation

Several years ago, the BBC aired a documentary about the Uyghur people of China, a Muslim ethnic minority who were being detained and forced to attend re-education camps, euphemistically referred to as 'schools of transformation' by the Chinese authorities.

I recently wrote a poem, a sonnet, about this horrendous situation. Most sonnets (at least the ones I write) are about 100 words long, so I experimented with 'transforming' my sonnet about the plight of the Uyghur people being indoctrinated in these re-education/labour camps into a 100-word short story.

Ironically, in the West some of these tools of indoctrination are used in schools, such as peer pressure to sing a national anthem, or the recitation of a pledge of allegiance to a flag.

Anyhow, here's the story:

In a School of Transformation

The bruising on my face and body has faded. I’ve promised to comply. The prison authorities transfer me to one of the schools of transformation, formerly known as re-education camps.

I fix my face with a mildly-optimistic smile and sing a patriotic song with my fellow pupils, praising our beloved leader who watches from the classroom wall. We sing too of loyalty and national unity.

The press pays a visit. We perform an ethnic folk dance.

I’m learning our nation’s official language. Day by day I’m transforming.

And yet when alone, late at night, my eyes are awash with tears.

Below are links to my short-listed story for the National newspaper and for a couple of stories that appeared on the Every Day Fiction site - where you can leave a comment and a rating if you so desire. WARNING - Exodus Mortis is a bit disturbing:

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

https://everydayfiction.com/oh-christmas-tree-by-paul-a-freeman/

https://everydayfiction.com/exodus-mortis-by-paul-a-freeman/

Happy writing!

Of Monkeys and Men

1/28/2023

Monkey Business

An item on BBC World about chimpanzees and humans having universally-recognised gestures had me reaching out for my notebook and penning a 100-word story (known as a 'drabble' for the Friday Flash Fiction website. lo and behold, the story made the cut.

Alas, I can't tell you the genre for fear of giving stuff away. Yep, it's no use, you'll have to get down and read it yourself without any clues (or without a clue!). Don't worry, as I said above, it's only 100 words!

Monkey Business

We’ve been camped in the jungle a week.

“The chimpanzees have accepted us,” says the primatologist. “Look! The dominant male is beckoning.”

It’s taken time to obtain the chimps’ trust. Recently they got lured and ambushed by poachers. Babies got abducted, adults killed.

We venture from our tented camp. A harem of females, babies on their backs, beckon us, too. I wonder that they can forgive humans so easily.

Suddenly, I realise. They were lured, now they’re luring.

I scan the encircling trees. Dozens of males are glaring down at us. The ambush!

It’s true then. Chimpanzees are fast learners.

Below are links to my short-listed story for the National newspaper and for a couple of stories that appeared on the Every Day Fiction site - where you can leave a comment and a rating if you so desire. WARNING - Exodus Mortis is a bit disturbing:

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

https://everydayfiction.com/oh-christmas-tree-by-paul-a-freeman/

https://everydayfiction.com/exodus-mortis-by-paul-a-freeman/

Happy writing!

While Nature Cries - A Poem

1/19/2023

While Nature Cries

I wrote a rondeau (a specific style of poem) a while back titled While Nature Cries, the obvious meaning to the title being that while Nature cries out at the continued degradation of the planet, nothing much gets done in the way of combating climate change, microplastics in the oceans, etc.

While Nature Cries appeared in The Poet magazine as the poem of the day on the 18th of January, 2023, and will appear in the magazine's forthcoming Our Changing Earth anthology.

On the positive side, while Nature cries, an ever-growing army of eco-warriors is assembling to fight the planet's corner.

Anyhow, here's the poem!

While Nature Cries

While Nature cries (no ifs, no buts),
Mankind rips out the planet’s guts;
mines and oil wells mar her face,
wounds that multiply apace
and maim like several million cuts.

In mansions, red-brick homes and huts
(as Midnight’s countdown window shuts),
we dream of settling outer space
while Nature cries.

Through changing climes Earth’s one-time gluts
of food we trade for dusty ruts
or flooded fields; so let us brace
ourselves and rescue Earth with grace,
ignoring pessimistic tuts
while Nature cries.

Below are links to my short-listed story for the National newspaper and for a couple of stories that appeared on the Every Day Fiction site - where you can leave a comment and a rating if you so desire. WARNING - Exodus Mortis is a bit disturbing:

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

https://everydayfiction.com/oh-christmas-tree-by-paul-a-freeman/

https://everydayfiction.com/exodus-mortis-by-paul-a-freeman/

Happy writing!

Putin Photo Op Limerick

1/6/2023

Photo Op Lady

Film extras can be called upon to put their mug in the frame to get noticed whenever the possibility arises. Well, apparently it's not only film extras getting noticed.

In Russia, Putin has been pictured on at least three occasions with'Photo Op Lady. She's a soldier receiving an award, a sailor during an ocean excursion and an Easter Sunday worshipper.

Good work if you can get it, I suppose, especially if it pays well!

Putin Photo Op Limerick

In photo ops Putin is fond
of using a good-looking blonde.
A soldier, a sailor,
a fan of our saviour,
next time she'll perhaps be James Bond.

Below are links to my short-listed story for the National newspaper and for a couple of stories that appeared on the Every Day Fiction site - where you can leave a comment and a rating if you so desire. WARNING - Exodus Mortis is a bit disturbing:

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

https://everydayfiction.com/oh-christmas-tree-by-paul-a-freeman/

https://everydayfiction.com/exodus-mortis-by-paul-a-freeman/

Happy writing!

January 01st, 2023 - New Year's Resolutions - Keep it Real

1/1/2023

Happy New Year - 2023

The New Year has arrived.

Hope!

Most commentaries I've read online or heard on the box have struggled to find hope. Same here. I've written a few limericks and a poem about New Year, but after going on what I laughably call a run this morning (it was more a trot or a slow jog), I have finally found a half-inspiring tone for a limerick welcoming in the New Year.

Here it is my friends, and a Happy New Year to you!

Come New Year's Day maybe we dream
of cutting out cookies and cream;
and if we evolve
an inner resolve
with luck we won't run out of steam.

Below are links to my short-listed story for the National newspaper and for a couple of stories that appeared on the Every Day Fiction site - where you can leave a comment and a rating if you so desire. WARNING - Exodus Mortis is a bit disturbing:

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

https://everydayfiction.com/oh-christmas-tree-by-paul-a-freeman/

https://everydayfiction.com/exodus-mortis-by-paul-a-freeman/

Happy writing!

Emiliano Martinez (Argentine Goalkeeper) with his 'Golden Glove'

12/24/2022

Emiliano Martinez (Argentine Goalkeeper) Shows off his Golden 'Glove'

Wow! Sometimes it's difficult to believe the behaviour of celebrities, or in this case 'instant' celebrity Emiliano Martinez, who in his excitement at pulling off a penalty save and psyching out a French penalty taker, secured Argentina's third World Cup triumph.

When I started off my limerick to commemorate this inauspicious event, I must admit I was struggling, but then the words came, scanning more or less perfectly - except perhaps for rhyming 'Martinez' with 'penis', though I think the words are close enough to count as a half-rhyme.

Anyhow, here it is:

'Abnormal' Emiliano Martinez Limerick

The Argentine keeper was told
to keep the French players on hold.
And for this, Martinez,
was blessed with a penis
some twelve inches long, made of gold.

Below are links to my short-listed story for the National newspaper and for a couple of stories that appeared on the Every Day Fiction site - where you can leave a comment and a rating if you so desire:

https://everydayfiction.com/exodus-mortis-by-paul-a-freeman/

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

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

Happy writing!

Elon Musk Freedom of Speech Limerick

12/17/2022

Elon Musk - Champion of Freedom

So much for that freedom of speech Elon Musk's always talking about. Just imagine, banning a bunch of journalists from Twitter because they file a report about him cancelling an account that gives updates on where his private jet is. Musk says the site endangers his family, which may or may not be true.

Then Musky has the audacity to say 'The People have spoken' after a hokey referendum on whether or not to un-ban the journalists' accounts, rather than admit that he was wrong. Anyhow, below is the promised limerick:

Elon Musk Freedom of Speech Limerick

Says Elon Musk, everyone's free
to post on his platform. Whoopeee!
Yet if you should go
against Elon's flow
he'll ban you from Twitter with glee.

Below are links to my short-listed story for the National newspaper and for a couple of stories that appeared on the Every Day Fiction site - where you can leave a comment and a rating if you so desire:

https://everydayfiction.com/exodus-mortis-by-paul-a-freeman/

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

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

Happy writing!