Volume Two, Edition Four

February 2007

The Reviews Page

On this page you will find reviews of both stories and poetry published at GA and elsewhere on the Internet.  Links are provided both to the stories being reviewed and the forums in which you can discuss them.

Page 3

Poets' Corner

 

In this month's Poets' Corner, resident poetry reviewer Nickolas James looks at the work of talented GA author and poet Luc.

 

You can discuss Luc's stories and poetry in his GA Forum.  To discuss the works of other GA poets, please go to the Poetry Discussion Forum.  To read more by this author, please click on his banner below.

 

 

Poetry Review

 

Desperation. That’s the word that runs through my mind as I recite those words to myself again and again. I can feel the calamity in the poem Luc brings us, Happy Enough?, part of his Pain Of Love series of poems.


The dialogue in the poems opening lines was unique, and I dare say unusual, but if anyone could mold it into art, it’s Luc. Reading this poem brought out a set of emotions in me that most of us don’t like to admit we suffer with. But there’s no denying it; they’re there, and Luc has found a way to bring them to the forefront with this master piece.


What I find so impressive is the way he illustrates the difference in being comfortable and being happy. We can love, and we can be comfortable in our relationships, but without happiness, what does it really mean? Is it really worth it? How do we bring ourselves to move on?


On the other hand, do we stay? Do we choose the familiar over the unknown? Do we cling to the security of what we have, even if it makes us miserable? Even if the ones we love are just as miserable, though they love us back and want to hold on too? When is enough not enough anymore?


There’s no easy answer to those questions, and indeed, the questions raised in Happy Enough aren’t answered. If they were, it would be flawed. That’s what makes this poem great. It begs the question of contentment or happiness. Love or being in love.


With his extensive series of poems, Luc has taken the lead in a newer breed of Hosted Authors. He not only turns out amazing serials, but he also gives us touching, thoughtful and beautifully written poems with a fresh perspective on life and love.

Nickolas James

Happy Enough?

by Luc

 

“I’m not quite what you need, am I?”
And I just looked at him.
“And I know you love me,
and you know I love you--
but I’m just not the one, am I?”
And I just looked away.

Is love enough?
Is the underlying friendship enough
to fill in the blanks, the holes, the missing pieces?
Is it enough to want someone?
Is it enough to need someone
if all that you need is more than they can give?

Is it wrong to hold on
when your head tells you to let go
but your heart refuses to comply?
Is it wrong to keep trying
to make him what you need,
to make yourself need what he is?

It is so hard to let go
when you love someone and he loves you,
even when he is not the one you need.
Because when he holds you he is everything
and you forget what you need--
until the silence comes and you remember.

Is the selfishness in the keeping
when you know there will always be
something missing, something longed for?
Or is the selfishness in the leaving
when you know there is love
and you probably just want too much?

When is happy enough, happy enough?

 

© 2006 Luc

Winter Holiday
http://www.gayauthors.org/anthology/

by Sinbad

One of the anthology entries that stood out was submitted by a new author among us, Sinbad, his entry was entitled Winter Holiday. Immediately with this story you are drawn in by the description offered by the author, if you can imagine the scene in your head easily with only the authors words then they are doing something well. The imagery offered gets you in the mind set to easily place the characters there as they are introduced. There is no rushed discovery of the main characters despite it being a short story and the writing gives you enough to allow you to form attachments to the characters.

The story line is not an unusual one though is still original in its writing and it is easily believable and the realism again makes it all that easier for you to picture it all in your head. The relationship that forms between the two characters is a refreshing change to many stories. Their new relationship is shy, awkward and slow, again very real in every way. The story will draw you in and allow you time to imagine being in that role and experiencing the emotions of both characters.

Whilst the ending left you wanting more it ended in a way to leave the possibility for further stories with these characters and allows you to imagine what may happen next. I hope to see more writing from Sinbad and would enjoy seeing more from these characters. Wonderful writing in this story and definitely worth a read, so stop by and offer your thoughts to the new author.

Mark L

Branson Blood
http://www.gayauthors.org/anthology/

by eternity2rock

One of the Anthology stories I really enjoyed reading was Branson Blood by eternity2rock.

The story starts out with a young girl who may have cast a spell that caused a fire in which her home and her family are lost. As the story unfolds, we find out more about Nyama and her family and are introduced to her friend and next door neighbor, Styles. The two have a history of shared adventures and it is clear they are destined for more—especially when Nyama’s true history is revealed.

Spells, old books, hidden rooms and two teenage friends with a taste for adventure—what more can you ask for? Except…MORE! I have to think—and hope--there is more of this story to come. I know I am looking forward to seeing what happens next.

Luc