By Scott Bailey 2017
It’s hard to be heard in the herd
The shared shards of pain shred
The glass glistens but no one listens
To the words of bards and the birds
Yes, it’s hard to be heard
In response to the daily prompt Heard
#DailyPrompt
Heard
Family
Warmth
By Scott Bailey © 2015
A warming curry
A red beer in a tall glass
And Only Connect
Holding Hands
By Scott Bailey © 2016
Tiny, warm, fragile
Fingers tightly holding mine
Treasured memories
Intentions
By Scott Bailey © 2015
“It was just a bit of fun”
To the broken hearts and home
“I meant no offence”
To the victims of riot and guns
“I was just following my dreams”
To the crushing weight of debt
“I will never do it again”
To the frightened wife and child
“I was trying to save some cash”
To the shattered future lost
“I thought I knew best”
To the chances that are gone
“My intentions were good”
To the consequences of action
Autism a Colourful Spectrum
A reminder – for me – and anyone who needs it.
Amongst all the dreary advice and articles I have read I came across this comic. Which I think is just brilliant
The original article is here.
Red
By Scott Bailey © 2013
Red
Swathes in fields
Too many
Black and white
The headlines
That sowed the seed
Grey
The problems
The ethics
The guns
Yellow
the gas
and the memories
Red
Remembrance
and ledger
Eyes (A Septolet)
By Scott Bailey © 2013
Eyes
Red and raw
Seen too much
Filled
With work
and bills
and tears
Circle Of Five
By Scott Bailey © 2015
One is a mother – caring and fierce
Two is a wife, with perceptions that pierce
Three is a woman, kind and strong
Four is a friend to help me along
Five is the lover, tender and sweet
All are in one perfect – petite
One beautiful and loving wife
The five with whom I will spend my life
Less Noise, More Action
That kind of sums up my approach to 2020, particularly to writing.
2019 was not overly productive for me. I curated and edited some old work into a new collection – Andervayne’s Dream. I also continued to try and market my existing books, Mankind Limited, A Spring of Dreams and Thirteen Tales of Ghosts. Not to much success.
All this has mean that along with the demands of life, many family illness and dealing with a son with Autism, I have not had much time to actually write anything new. I have kept my blog alive by reposting old work daily.
I tried NaNoWriMo, but again, due to life commitments and stress, did not complete it – though I did come out of it with five drafts of short stories.
So. New years resolutions!
Firstly, it should be noted I have 100% failure rate on these. I can make goals and get there, just not new years resolutions. I think this is because I tend to try and make big life changing ones.
So this year I am going to do two things. One, I am making them public, here and now. Hopefully that will give me kick up the backside to actually complete them. Secondly, I am making them a bit more modest.
So this is my plan for 2020.
One poem a week.
One short story a month
Enter one competition or submit to one publication per month.
These are reasonable and well within my capabilities. 52 poems and 12 short stories. I have done far more that that in a shorter time before.
The other big difference will be that I will not be posting them on my blog. I am keeping them unpublished so I can use them to submit to competitions and publications.
Which means, this blog will be a lot quieter this year.
Less noise, more action.
Doctor Who and King Arthur – together at last – sort of
Warning – no spoilers – just a ramble.
With all the problems and hence all the attention we need to give my youngest due to his autism – my older son often feels left out. In order to try and alleviate this a bit, I try and have some father and son time with him set aside as often as we can. This has led to some temporary little traditions from time to time. For example- one of these was Pizza and Robot Wars – until that series ended. Not all are based around TV – it the latest has been.
While it has been available on Iplayer we have been working our way through the modern Doctor Who’s. From Christopher Eccleston onwards. Tonight we actually hit one that I had never seen before. The Doctor’s Daughter. Now as episodes go – it’s meh. Not too bad – just nothing that good. Despite having my favourite companion Martha back in for a while – even she was not as good in this one.
But, this episode is one of those touchstone events – like the “Trouble With Tribbles”. Not because of the story but because of the convolutions off the screen. The ‘Doctor Daughter’ is in real life his wife but at the same time in real life The Doctor’s daughter. Georgia Moffett, who played the titular role, is David Tenants wife and Peter Davidson’s (5th Doctor) daughter. Granted she was not married to David Tenant at the time but still.
Even all that though was not what made the episode a strange experience for me. What did it was the fact that one of the other characters – the General leading them ragtag army – was none other than Nigel Terry.
Yes this Nigel Terry
King Arthur – THE King Arthur from THE King Arthur Film – Excalibur!
It was a treat to see him acting again. But -it was also really incongruous. Maybe it was because of my associations with him as King Arthur but hearing him in that setting seemed really out of place. I REALLY noticed his west country accent. OK, west country with gravitas – but it still seemed out of place in a SciFi setting.
But what struck me more was that I had never really noticed it before. I mean I heard it but it never really registered. And it is there – just as strong in Excalibur – I don’t even need to watch it again to hear him in it.
It adds a new facet – polished in my mind – that will shine through when I watch the film again – because despite all its failings as a film – it is still the best! Now I have an excuse to watch it again. Who am I kidding – when have I ever needed an excuse!
Behind Again
Struggling again to find time to write or do anything at all that is not for someone else.
I am close to giving up for good – there doesn’t seem much point, snatching titbits of time to chase dreams that are ever less likely to come to any fruition.
So back to recycling for now.
Boisterous
Boisterous
By Scott Bailey © 2018
Our boy is a bundle
Of boisterous fun
But he doesn’t know
When to stop the fun
And hurts someone
(Rarely himself)
Because of his mental health.
What to do?
What to do?
I am no expert
And no expert
Seem to know
What to do.
Move him on
Move him on
Is all we get
But we will not give up
Like them
His challenges will be his victory
In response to #JusJoJan, JusJoJan.
Sore Heart
By Scott Bailey © 2017
My wife’s precious heart
Is in need of attention
The surgeon awaits
Well, these two prompt words could not be more apt! My wife is facing major heart surgery this weekend! Consequently, I may be a little quiet here for a while.
In response to RonovanWrites #Weekly #Haiku #Poetry Prompt #Challenge #170 Heart&Need
#Ronovan Writes Haiku Challenge
A Nature Weekend and Bird Watching Challenges
This weekend we decided to relax a bit and get out and about in the country. This was partly down to my musings about bird watching. My wife wanted to do some walking, as did I, rather than cycling this time around. The two things – bird watching and walking – immediately made me think of the marshes near us. Haven’t been there for years and what a surprise! It’s always been a lovely place to walk, now it has been taken over by a wildlife trust and they have made some great improvements – including installing some bird watchers hides.
After that, we went to a local woodland park that used to be a gunpowder mill. I have never been there – tough Rachel and the kids have. Again I was pleasantly surprised.
Anyway here are a few pictures of the day – and I am hoping there some ornithologists or keen birders out there who might help identify some of these.
A Bird Resurgence
As you might have seen from my last post I have been watching birds! Not exactly bird watching in any real sense but as we have been driving around, walking and cycling all about our little village I have been noticing the birds more and more.
Now I don’t know if it’s just me but there seems to be a bit of a resurgence in the number of species.
I used to bird watch when I was a kid – I had the eye spy books on both British birds and their eggs! I have forgotten most of it, never really paid it much attention after hitting puberty!
But when my oldest son was starting to show an interest in wildlife I thought it would be a good way to fan those flames, and it rekindled an old love for me.
This was a few years ago and when we tried it seemed we saw very little variety, just sparrows, thrushes and blackbirds. That didn’t really interest a five-year-old much and it got dropped a bit.
However this year I have noticed a change. We have seen all kinds of the kind that I used to get excited about – especially the more colourful ones. We have seen pied wagtails, chaffinches, goldfinches, blue tits and even a few woodpeckers. Today, while out cycling, at the top of the hill we saw a large bird of prey soaring and being mobbed by crows or ravens. I couldn’t tell you what it was – I would hazard it was a buzzard – but was big!
I wonder if there are any ornithological experts out there who could tell me whether this is really a trend or is just I am opening my eyes properly for the first time in a long time?
All pictures are from pixabay.
Alexander’s Half Term Adventures
This one spookily fits today’s Daily Prompt. #DailyPrompt
A bit of guest post here – from Bailey junior – courtesy of homework duty.
Alexander’s Half Term Adventures
By Alexander Bailey
My family and I went for an adventure in the park.
First, we went over the bridge to play pooh sticks.
Also, we went on a nature walk and rare yellow 7 spotted ladybird.
Next, we climbed a really big hill that had a windy path that led to a secret hideout. Also, the path was very steep.
We also saw more hideouts.
After that, we rolled down a grassy, muddy hill.
Then we went bird watching and saw some ducks and a dove. After that, we played pooh sticks again.
On last Thursday I went scootering with my grandad and cousin.
We also made a den at home.
The End
Alexander’s Half Term Adventures
A bit of guest post here – from Bailey junior – courtesy of homework duty.
Alexander’s Half Term Adventures
By Alexander Bailey
My family and I went for an adventure in the park.
First, we went over the bridge to play pooh sticks.
Also, we went on a nature walk and rare yellow 7 spotted ladybird.
Next, we climbed a really big hill that had a windy path that led to a secret hideout. Also, the path was very steep.
We also saw more hideouts.
After that, we rolled down a grassy, muddy hill.
Then we went bird watching and saw some ducks and a dove. After that, we played pooh sticks again.
On last Thursday I went scootering with my grandad and cousin.
We also made a den at home.
The End
Tremble
So, either it has snowed in our bathroom, there has been the mother of all cocaine parties or somebody who will remain nameless (starts with an L end with an M few vowels in between) has found Mummy’s talcum powder.
I don’t know what my kids will be when they grow up – but one way or another they will make the world tremble.
In the meantime – here’s an old poem that fits in with today’s prompt.
Giants
By Scott Bailey 2014
I have seen giants
Striding over the land
Power on their shoulders
Stern and strong their hand
Never do they falter
Never seen one stumble or fall
Always do their duty
Always answer the call
Through storm and wind and rain
The carry their burden true
Though other links may burn out
The giants stride on through
So remember this and tremble
Even the giants will pass
Fall into dust and rusty ruin
Scattered in untamed grass
One day their burden will dissipate
Their purpose will disappear
And the duty they discharged so well
A memory dimmed with time
In response to the daily prompt Tremble
#DailyPrompt
New Year
It was rough last year. I am not just talking about celebrity deaths.
We as a family have had it rough. We have had family members in and out of hospital, having to deal with a diagnosis of Autism for our youngest and his so far very rocky transition into school. I have had work stress and uncertainty. We have seen our social lives and our house being slowly taken apart. I have seen my writing dreams slip away.
Midlife crisis? Maybe.
I have to cling to hope. It is the only thing left.
So not really new years resolutions as such but goals I am aiming for this year.
To find a new job. But not just another role. I need to get back to enjoying work again. That has been totally destroyed of late – I had thought beyond hope – but if I give up hope then all is lost. I have been thinking about a total career change and that’s the way I will try to go.
To improve our daily lives by trying new techniques for dealing with Autistic behaviours.
To reinvigorate my writing dreams. To help with this I will attempt to complete the daily prompt as well as Ronovan’s Weekly Haiku Challenge. This is purely to get my juices flowing. Behind the scenes, I will try to put together two more poetry collections for publishing as well as another short story collection and a new novel. Ambitious but I must attempt it.
I wish everyone a happy new year and hope you all attain your own dreams and goals.
In response to the daily prompt Year
#DailyPrompt
Poem a day challenge #249 (Dressing Up)
Dressing Up
By Scott Bailey © 2014
Watching dressing up
A mini ninja dancing
Whirling all in black
The Lies We Tell Boys
The media lies. We all know that. Sometimes, though, it is very subtle.
Like what it tells us about being a man.
Everything we see gives us the same message. The brash businessman dispensing his wisdom, the cocky chancer charming the ladies, the whisky guzzling spy or DCI. Even the greedy bankers and the corrupt politicians – who we all condemn but are still reaping their rewards.
They all tell us the same thing – to be a man and be a success – be strong, take what you want! No one will give it to you so grab it with both hands.
Far more subtly than that but that’s the message.
I have come to a different conclusion lately. To be a man, properly (and I don’t claim to be this by ay means) you have to learn to give. To give of your strength – and to keep giving when your strength has run out. Give your strength to those you care about.
When you’re in love
Nothing matters
Yes, there are annoyances
Sacrifices
Anger
Even tears
Nothing matters
Savour the moments
Bask in the sunlight of her smile
Be warmed by her touch
And keep on giving
Your strength
By Scott Bailey © 2016
A sunny and refreshing weekend
We had a lovely relaxing time this weekend. Saturday was courtesy of one of Alexander’s school friends birthday party held at a local farm attraction – which included a playground and a miniature train. Perfect! We could sit back and let them have fun.
Sunday was a combination of a walk along the coast and the local Transport festival and fun fair!
Here’s a few pics.
Forgetting it all for the weekend
So it seems the moment I signed up for NaNoWriMo the pressure from all sides of my life takes off like a rocket.
Work has become more and more stressful. To the point of the web site having major problems last thing Friday night. At this point I was so sick with stress I decided it would have to wait until Monday morning. I walked out and decided to try to forget everything for the weekend.
This was not easy, as I said work stress is building up and up, relentlessly. Getting tired of it now.
On top of that the pressure from our adoption is also growing – all the social workers and health visitors want a mass meeting with us – we are naturally stressing about this as we don’t know what it is about. The annoying this is that we feel we have made great strides in the last few weeks and the little one if definitely feeling settled, safe and his behaviour has improved dramatically. The problem is we don’t think they are seeing it.
And then there are financial strains, cars breaking down, things going wrong and family illnesses. All piling on and on.
So this weekend I though sod it all. Lets just concentrate on family time.
And we had a great time. On Saturday we took both boys to a local children’s centre and they had a great time. They found some bikes and played together lovely with them. Then Alexander went to one of his classmates birthday parties. It was in a cake shop, making cakes.
Although he could have stayed we decided that L would just cause chaos in such a small place with flour and eggs! So I took him down to the beach and we spent a great couple of hours together, the best behaved he has ever been. While Alexander had a great time making “Alien” fair cakes and eating marshmallows dipped in a chocolate fountain, L and I threw pebbles in the sea, raced the tide and sat an ate lollies while watching the boats. It was bliss.
On Sunday we went for a walk in the country side around the village. Again the kids were remarkably well-behaved, collecting leaves and twigs for a Halloween picture project mummy has planned.
I won’t say I wasn’t stressed – it was still there bubbling under but time with the kids and my wife has helped.
So despite all that – because of all that and to spite all that – I decided to plough ahead with NaNoWriMo. I uploaded the cover (see below) and synopsis. Using Scrivener I have made a very rough plan. Writing down some very rough scenes, mostly in order though a few may change. I think my next stage of planning will be to describe for each character how they change between each scene. So I get a little journey plan for each of them as a guide.
I still think there an extra dimension to my idea missing, but not going to worry about that at present. It will only be a first draft – I can add more to it later if I still think it needs it once i have finished.
Onwards
Cold Sanctuary by Scott Bailey
Synopsis:
Orphaned, wrenched from their home, can Gabriel look after his adopted brother? Can he find a voice to stand up for himself?
In an alien world, unwelcomed and lost, all they have is each other. They must endure a clash of cultures, adapting to a radically new life and dealing with deep-seated grief. Gabriel struggles to keep the promise to his parents to look after the brother he has waited for all his life whilst coming to terms with his new surroundings.
Can such a young mind take all the demands? And, when they are suddenly separated, can he find his brother again?
Their searches for answers, for each other and to fill the holes in their hearts leads them on paths of rebellion and revenge.
Detours of the Mind
Today has been a little strange.
Stresses have been building up. Money worries, over work, trying to get the kids up and to school on time, family illnesses, friends in turmoil.
All the normal stuff, just got to me a bit more today for some reason, and has done all week.
So when I left work and saw a long traffic jam I surprised myself with my reaction. Instead of letting it rile me I shrugged and said to myself – OK let’s use the opportunity. So I turned off down a country lane to try to find a short cut across country.
A short cut it was not – a pleasant drive it was. Over some rolling hills with stunning views and down through winding valleys and dark, magical woods. I even got surprised by a juvenile deer jumping out into the road and running, for quite some time, in front of me.
It wasn’t just the pleasantness of the drive that made it such a nice change though – it was the change itself. The fact it was out of routine. So I am carrying on with it by taking time out from study and housework tonight to read something purely trivial.
Gladiator by Philip Wylie
This is nothing to do with the film. Let me explain. I have developed a passion for vintage – even ancient science fiction. I can’t explain why – there is something about it. Maybe the less cynical outlook – though some are still quite dark. Maybe the fact that they were not so aware of the physical limits of the universe so their imaginations were freer. They always seem to me more human than some more modern attempts. I think also I like to see where things have come from.
This one appeals to me on two levels though. It describes the story of a man – who as a result of experiments done by his father – is imbued with great power. His skin is invulnerable and he can leap over buildings, run faster than a train. At one point he asks “is he a man of iron rather than flesh”. In another scene, as a young boy, he lifts a wagon off a man who has been trapped under the axle. His father guides him to be good and responsible with his power but to keep them hidden. All sounding a bit familiar?
Published originally in 1930 – many see this as a huge influence on Superman. I will let you know my own thoughts when I have finished it.
The other delight with this book was it was free. You can get it from Project Gutenberg. Click here is you are interested.
And that was another nice surprise – Last time I looked on the Gutenberg site they had plenty but it was all in plain text form. Now they offer it in all kinds of e-book formats. And furthermore – you can get it delivered direct to your favoured cloud storage – Google Drive, SkyDrive etc.
I can foresee a lot of time browsing their site.
By the way. If anyone else is interested in old Sci-Fi here are a few I have enjoyed – most are free on Amazon.
The Coming Race – by Edward Bulwer
Trips to the Moon – Lucian of Samosata (very ancient – contemporary with Homer).
A bit more modern and not free – but I cannot recommend enough is
Last and First Men by Olaf Stapledon. A very original book – with not a single character in it.
Maybe my taste is just weird.
Stick Pans
We have two sets of pans in our house – I know fancy! One was a set I bought before we were married in my singleton days. The other was a wedding present. The latter is non-stick – which everyone gets right? The ones I bought back in the day I chose because I liked the look of them and though they were good quality they were in a knockdown sale.They are stainless steel with copper bottoms. They are non-non stick – henceforth known as stick pans to avoid the double negative.
Over the years I have come to prefer the stick pans. And this is why.
What is the point of non-stick pans? Well – I hear you say – to avoid things sticking to the bottom of the pan. But why is that a problem? Because it makes it harder to clean.
That’s where non-stick comes in. Where you can cook and things will not stick meaning you can clean the pan afterwards with the merest wipe of a cloth – maybe even a glancing smile.
Problem is – that hardly ever works. Sure things don’t stick quite as much to non stick pans as they do to stick pans – but they still do stick! More often than not. But it gets worse than just the let down of the promise. Once things stick to non-stick pans – they are even harder to clean.
After I have made scrambled egg in my stainless steel sticky pans (lightly whisked with a dollop of cream) I can just attack the pan with a brillo pad. Can’t do that with a non-stick. No, no, no!
So not only do non-stick pans often fail to solve the problem they were created to resolve – but they actually make it worse.
The thing is – we seem to have a constant stream of such low-grade disappointments drip fed to us over time. It is these that have worn down our trust of science. If you look back to the fifties and sixties the world was full of optimism for the wondrous gadgets science would deliver. By our generation this was replaced by cynicism.
Has science failed us?
No. If you look at it closer the real culprit becomes clear. Marketing! Advertiser jumped on that bandwagon of hope to sell us crap we didn’t need. And everyone was to full of pride to admit they had been hoodwinked.
I think that I see now though – a new budding of life – a new hope and optimism and excitement about science again. Its tempered with wisdom now though – we are not expecting the miracles our forefathers demanded. We understand now that breakthroughs can be slow. But there is a growing movement of enthusiasm spearheaded by the likes of Prof. Brian Cox and Prof Alice Roberts as well as by non scientists but lovers of knowledge like Dara O’Brien and Stephen Fry.
So I say lets cheer them on and bring on a new age of reason!
Poem a day challenge #168 (Glory Days)
Glory Days
By Scott Bailey © 2013
So the soldier walks alone
beneath the
starry night
He has no aim but distance
from the bloody fight
But the war it still pursues him
snapping at his heels
He slips into the forest deep
beyond those broken hills
O glory days
Those glory days
They’ve shattered
and they fade
They only left a rumour
A shadow
where they laid
So the sword is silenced
with a deep and lasting chill
In his heart, the war goes on
the beating never still
Behind the hallowed orders
that laid so many low
Is revealed the empty truth
the sickest, cruellest blow
O glory days
Those glory days
They’re gone
they never were
So the soldier walks away
from guilt
that he defers
Get the previous ones here
http://wp.me/P3kG6h-bb and get my début novel Mankind Limited
Poem a day challenge #167 (Tuesday Blue)
Tuesday Blues
By Scott Bailey © 2013
Crisis everyday
When did this start?
When will normality
Return
Is this the price
Of years of hard work
Maybe I should just sweep roads
Noble simplicity
Get the previous ones here
http://wp.me/P3kG6h-bb and get my début novel Mankind Limited
Poem a day challenge #166 (Red)
Red
By Scott Bailey © 2013
Red
Swathes in fields
Too many
Black and white
The headlines
That sowed the seed
Grey
The problems
The ethics
The guns
Yellow
the gas
and the memories
Red
Remembrance
and ledger
Get the previous ones here
http://wp.me/P3kG6h-bb and get my début novel Mankind Limited
Poem a day challenge #165 (Eyes) (Septolet)
(Eyes) (Septolet)
By Scott Bailey © 2013
Eyes
Red and raw
Seen too much
Filled
With work
and bills
and tears
Get the previous ones here
http://wp.me/P3kG6h-bb and get my début novel Mankind Limited
Poem a day challenge #164 (Word Journey)
Word Journey
By Scott Bailey © 2013
Clang, chip! clang chip! Clang chip! Blow.
Scratch, dip. Scratch, dip. Scratch, dip. Flow.
Block, press. Block press. Block, press. Squeeze.
Click, roll. Click, roll. Click, roll. Please.
Clackety clack. Clackety clack. Clackety clack. Slide.
Tip tap tap. Tip tap tap. Tip tap tap. Pride.
Stone to scroll to press to type to screen.
Where next the word?
Get the previous ones here
http://wp.me/P3kG6h-bb and get my début novel Mankind Limited
Poem a day challenge #163 (Snoring)
Snoring
By Scott Bailey © 2013
Snoring on my chest
Warmth and love resting at peace
An early night in
Get the previous ones here
http://wp.me/P3kG6h-bb and get my début novel Mankind Limited
Poem a day challenge #157 (Fireworks) (Triolet)
(Fireworks) (Triolet)
By Scott Bailey © 2013
Hand in hand we all walk tonight
Mother, Father and loving son
Watching darkness bursting with light
Hand in hand we all walk tonight
Sky flowers blooming burn our sight
This time of year is always fun
Hand in hand we all walk tonight
Mother, Father and loving son
Get the previous ones here
http://wp.me/P3kG6h-bb and get my début novel Mankind Limited
Poem a day challenge #145 (Seven Years)
Seven Years
By Scott Bailey © 2013
Seven years
They say it’s wool
Well I have my little lamb
To keep me warm
And hope to hold her
Beyond diamond!
Get the previous ones here
http://wp.me/P3kG6h-bb and get my début novel Mankind Limited
Poem a day challenge #141 (Bound to Serve)
Bound to Serve
By Scott Bailey © 2013
Bound to serve
The master that we crave
Enduring the pain
Not struggling in the ties
That bind
Taking the punishment
Utter submission
Belittled
Stripped
Of dignity
All for the reward
The release
The coin
Get the previous ones here
http://wp.me/P3kG6h-bb and get my début novel Mankind Limited
Poem a day challenge #140 (Deep Red)
Deep Red
By Scott Bailey © 2013
Deep red-brown
Liquid
Augmented by amber light
White top
Gold badge
Warmth
And slow appreciation
Get the previous ones here
http://wp.me/P3kG6h-bb and get my début novel Mankind Limited
Poem a day challenge #139 (Candles)
Candles
By Scott Bailey © 2013
One lumen
The light of a candle
It can be seen they say
For many miles
Candles burn tonight
One for each lost angel
Light that will been seen over many years
Still bright in our minds
A million candles
A fiery sun of bittersweet memories
The burning potential
Of lives that never were
Get the previous ones here
http://wp.me/P3kG6h-bb and get my début novel Mankind Limited
Poem a day challenge #132 (Ups and Downs)
Ups and Downs
By Scott Bailey © 2013
From joy to worry
As sickness strikes yet again
Families hold tight
Get the previous ones here
http://wp.me/P3kG6h-bb and get my début novel Mankind Limited
Poem a day challenge #126 (The List That Should Not Have Been)
The List That Should Not Have Been
By Scott Bailey © 2013
Tragic stories
Behind smiling faces
And pleading eyes
How did it come to this
Get the previous ones here
http://wp.me/P3kG6h-bb and get my début novel Mankind Limited
Scott Andrew Bailey - Author 