Story and Poem of the Month
Posted by Insertponceyfrenchnamehere on Sun, 02 Jul 2023
Our picks for the month of June have very kindly been chosen by Mark Burrow:
ABCtales – Pick of the Month
The joy of ABCtales is in the variety. Everybody is welcome to play in the sandpit of prose and poetry. Looking over the work in June, there was plenty of writing to choose from. It seems obligatory for anyone who does Pick of the Month to say it’s been hard to make a selection. Well, as someone doing this for the first time, I can confirm that it’s absolutely true.
So, I’ve gone back to what I like to see in writing. Given that I am a simpleton at heart, I enjoy work that is clear to understand, doesn’t play games, and can make me laugh or feel something. Ideally, it’ll do both. I also like work that tilts reality, shifting the way we look at the world slightly. Lastly, I like writers who take risks and aren’t imitating tried and trusted formulas.
On that basis, Story of the Month goes to Celticman for Goatie 9.
https://www.abctales.com/
If you want a tale of ordinary madness, this is where to look. It blends the quotidian with the extraordinary in a glorious and funny way, whether it’s a holiday abroad or breakfast in a prison canteen. This line in Goatie Chapter 9 sums up what I’m talking about:
He’d no more brains than the crow that had somehow got into the dining area. It was going at the cawing full throttle as the men below cheered. Wardens armed themselves with mops, and whatever came to hand, trying to move it on. No window was open.
I’d also like to flag Rain-Willow Crossing by Rosaliekempthorne.
https://www.abctales.com/
The apocalyptic atmosphere is painted to perfection. The details of the landscape, the weather, and the mood she creates in the characters, are done with real care and craft.
I’ve thoroughly enjoyed ABCtales newcomer beanzie’s untitled work in progress.
https://www.abctales.com/
The relationship between the brother and sister is funny and touching, with rich details that bring scenes to life – the line about “skin sticking to hot vinyl seats” in their parents’ car took me right back to my childhood.
Sean McNulty never disappoints and I urge you to check out Matrices Mound.
https://www.abctales.com/
It starts with a father going to a field to play football by himself and ends up as a reflection on the cancel culture we’ve cultivated today. Would we be able to deal with a William Burroughs in 2023? A Caravaggio? Do artists really have to be virtuous people? I mean, what is virtue in the context of art?
Poem of the Month goes to Ralph for Jumping Trains
https://www.abctales.com/
We’re in an age where the poorest and most vulnerable are demonised. On a daily basis, we’re seeing migrants persecuted for fleeing the wars we’ve created. History plainly shows us that this is a deplorable and dangerous path to go down. Ralph’s poem, quietly, calmly and honestly, captures the complex tragedy of what these human beings are living through.
I also enjoyed Jane Hyphen’s There's Still Enough Time
https://www.abctales.com/
Whether it’s poetry or prose, I always get something from Jane’s work. She has a knack for making me think and the way she does it here is deceptively skilful. This one throws a punch that you think is soft and then, as the seconds go by, you realise you’ve been winded and are dropping to your knees.
And, well, Onemorething is a poet who will undoubtedly go on to publish more books and we’re fortunate to have her on the site.
The Seafarer was another belter.
https://www.abctales.com/
I’m kind of hoping she thinks about posting more prose again one day, as that’s a delight to read too.
Thank you for letting me do these picks and to all of you for posting your work.
Keep fighting the good fight.
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