Slide and #slip on frozen lake, far from shore, Jack, Joe and Bully Bob play and cruelly laugh at me, timid Tim, sissy boy and scaredy-cat. When the ice cracks far and wide, they fall into the frozen deep. I, standing upon the shore, laugh and laugh and laugh and weep. #vss365

Leo, the Killer Chef, uses haute cuisine to slay. No crime in Switzerland, legal assisted suicide. For gourmets suffering hopelessly, Armand prepares delicacies with flavors rare and #drizzle of sweet strychnine. Contented, with a discreet belch, they slip into eternity. #vss365

Father, struggle not in vain, no need now to stay the course. #Unmoor your battered ship of self, cut anchor, go forth rudderless. Sail on boundless windless seas, unrestrained by time and tides, toward realms of wonder never dreamt, to distant shores beyond the stars…. #vss365

Carlos, strongman, could #bend steel bars; crush a boulder with one hand; tear asunder iron chains. He was called the manliest of manly men. But in the cradle of his dreams, he wished to be gently aloft o’re golden fields of daffodils, a butterfly with wings of silk. #vss365

How much of Trump’s abuse and degradation of America must we take before Congress acts? Republicans, this is in your hands. Stop being accomplices. For God’s sake, stop Trump now!

At night they come #loom over me as cold in bed I lie. They are just shadows, nothing more. They bring no threat of harm, just sorrow, pain of loss. They dry my tears and I dry theirs. We huddle through the night. When the dawn comes, they depart and then I weep alone. #vss365

“#Veer not right nor left, but take straight the path to be a man! No silly sentiments, womanly and weak.” Thus the King to his gentle son. That night the boy crept to his bed and slit his throat. “Good boy,” cried his mother Queen and kissed away his falling tears. #vss365

The soft song of sirens whistling through the air; the muffled blare of horns, low screech of brakes; the #murmur of the ever shouting crowd, cries and laughter dim as far away. And I tap- tapping slowly with my cane, half-blind, half-deaf stroll through the cityscape. #vss365

They called him #Dapple Dan for the spotted hat he wore, yellow with pink polka dots. Of all the clowns he was most loved, loud and full of fun. But when the circus was asleep, he roamed the little towns. Naked in the silent night he killed and quietly slipped away. #vss365

Rake me with your talons strong, #sear me with your fiery breath, beat me with your mighty wings. I shall not flee nor shield my face with up-raised hands. Though these racking pains are great, my dragon love, far greater is my love for you. I revel in love’s agonies! #vss365

The General was blood and guts, ruthless and a great war lord. Love had no place in his arsenal of do or die. He’d kill all who lived for victory. When old and sanity had slipped away, a kind and gentle, #heartfelt man he was. He had to loose his mind to find his heart. #vss365

Trump’s base, nasty, bullying character has been on display for years now. What scares me is that a man of his temper and instability has the strongest army in the world at his command. How have we come to this? And what can we do?

“A #wonky moon tonight,” said old Ed. “Go to bed, Da,” said Cora. “It’s bonkers, I say.” “It’s all right, Da. Take your meds and go to sleep.” Da tottered off. Cora went out on the porch. A green half moon hung by a huge rope low in the night sky. “Blimey!”she screamed. #vss365

They couldn’t force May to her knees, bow, nor even #stoop one bit. Blows she endured indifferently, fell only to quickly rise again. Finally they took her life and dumped her in a shallow grave. Next morning on that grave she stood, more fierce in death than e’er before! #vss365

Pat had done a #slapdash job. Not that it was frightful. But an impeccable sense of style, where everything fit to an elegant T, not a hair out of place, not a hint of a bulge — was gone. He strode onto the catwalk of the Crossdressers Ball. They booed him off the stage. #vss365

“You gotta see him,” says Karl. “He rants for hours, waves his arms around like he’s leading a band, you know? The stumble bums get all excited and spill their beer and march around the place.” “Yeah, I seen him,” says Will and laughs. “This Adolf is a #kooky guy.” #vss365

After Mother died, Father, who was always on the road, retired and never left the house. I flew in to see him. I found him drinking beer and watching cartoons. “You miss Mother?” “I was only on the road cause she was here,” said he. “She’s #unmissable.” We high-fived! #vss365

Maude was tied to a stake surrounded by fuel-soaked wood. She begged God for #delivery. The Inquisitor close by was moved. “Mother, you are spared!” He made the sign of the cross and his candle fell from his hand. Whoosh! went the flames. “Oh shit!” said the Inquisitor. #vss365

No blood nor bruise nor jagged scar #adorn my constant suffering. I shed no tear, no groans or moans escape my taut, stiff upper lip. I wait upon your pleasure, love, and what new torments you devise. Strong and long, your arm yet wields the lashing whip beyond the grave. #vss365

The #symphony orchestra was sullen, the audience irritated. As always, Maestro Largo was late. The manager came to the stage. “The maestro is dead,” said he. A solemn hush fell over all. Then the audience rose and shouted “Bravo!” and the musicians began to dance wildly. #vss365