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A Sad Collection of Short Stories, Cheap Parables, Amusing Anecdotes, & Covid-Inspired Bad Poetry: 2nd Edition
This is a collection of bad poems, short stories, rushed parables, and hastily-written diatribes written over the last 4 years. Shut in my home due to the government’s tyrannical response to Covid, I did a lot of reading, thinking, and reflection. During this time, I came to admit to myself a lot of dismal truths about the “true” state of humanity, especially when it is pushed to the limits by fear and doubt. In such cases, Man becomes savage and focuses on the differences in his fellow men; he leans into his raw savageness to bifurcate and destroy. He is primal. He is reckless. Is this his Humanity coming to the surface, or, rather, is it him abandoning his Humanity? I still do not really know…
I also sought to explore in myself, and the world around me, what might be called ‘the meaning of life’; and I pondered such profound questions like ‘what is Truth?’
These are questions with which far smarter and more sapient philosophers than I have grappled. Forcing these naked thoughts onto the page, often brutally and with reckless abandon, was a catharsis—especially as I watched the world burn and family members, friends, and neighbors turn against each other. I saw just how quickly an apartheid state could form virtually overnight, driven by the mad whims of Elites who use disasters such as war and disease to their own cruel benefit. I saw language re-shaped and defaced before our very eyes. I watched, as the adage goes, “democracy die to the sound of thunderous applause.”
And so I wrote, and poured my muted and broken heart onto the page. For as Robin Williams stated in Dead Poets
“I'll tell you a we don't read and write poetry because it's pretty. We read and write poetry because we belong to the human race; and the human race is filled with passion. Medicine, Law, Commerce, Engineering... they are noble and necessary races to dignify human life. But poetry, beauty, romance, love are things that keep us alive.”
I also sought to explore in myself, and the world around me, what might be called ‘the meaning of life’; and I pondered such profound questions like ‘what is Truth?’
These are questions with which far smarter and more sapient philosophers than I have grappled. Forcing these naked thoughts onto the page, often brutally and with reckless abandon, was a catharsis—especially as I watched the world burn and family members, friends, and neighbors turn against each other. I saw just how quickly an apartheid state could form virtually overnight, driven by the mad whims of Elites who use disasters such as war and disease to their own cruel benefit. I saw language re-shaped and defaced before our very eyes. I watched, as the adage goes, “democracy die to the sound of thunderous applause.”
And so I wrote, and poured my muted and broken heart onto the page. For as Robin Williams stated in Dead Poets
“I'll tell you a we don't read and write poetry because it's pretty. We read and write poetry because we belong to the human race; and the human race is filled with passion. Medicine, Law, Commerce, Engineering... they are noble and necessary races to dignify human life. But poetry, beauty, romance, love are things that keep us alive.”
177 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 1, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
August 5, 2024
best short stories I’ve ever read
Profound. Enigmatic. Sublime. Such words fail to give this piece of poetic literature justice. It must be experienced to be understood. It is a work of genius and profundity.
Profound. Enigmatic. Sublime. Such words fail to give this piece of poetic literature justice. It must be experienced to be understood. It is a work of genius and profundity.
July 26, 2024
Sean Dempsey’s A Sad Collection of Short Stories, Cheap Parables, Amusing Anecdotes & Covid-Inspired Bad Poetry is a literary gem that defies its self-deprecating title.
This book is an insightful and entertaining collection that takes you on a journey through the author’s keen observations and heartfelt reflections.
The short stories in this collection are nothing short of brilliant. Each tale dives deep into the human condition, making you reflect on the intricate complexities and awe of everyday life. Dempsey has a knack for capturing emotions in a way that feels both intimate and universal. You'll find yourself thinking about these stories long after you’ve finished reading them.
Humor is another strong point of this book. The anecdotes are genuinely amusing, filled with sharp wit and clever insights that will make you chuckle and nod in agreement. Dempsey’s humor is relatable offering a contrast to the more serious and shocking moments in the book.
The poetry, inspired by the unique and challenging times of the Covid era, is beautifully crafted. It speaks to the heart and soul, touching on themes of isolation, resilience, and hope. Dempsey’s free-style approach to poetry allows his raw emotions and thoughts to shine through, making each piece deeply personal and moving.
Overall, this book is a must-read for anyone who enjoys thoughtful, provoking and well-crafted literature. Whether you're in the mood for a good laugh, a moment of reflection, or a poetic journey through the highs and lows of life, this collection has it all. Don’t miss out on experiencing the mind of a truly talented writer and deep thinker!
This book is an insightful and entertaining collection that takes you on a journey through the author’s keen observations and heartfelt reflections.
The short stories in this collection are nothing short of brilliant. Each tale dives deep into the human condition, making you reflect on the intricate complexities and awe of everyday life. Dempsey has a knack for capturing emotions in a way that feels both intimate and universal. You'll find yourself thinking about these stories long after you’ve finished reading them.
Humor is another strong point of this book. The anecdotes are genuinely amusing, filled with sharp wit and clever insights that will make you chuckle and nod in agreement. Dempsey’s humor is relatable offering a contrast to the more serious and shocking moments in the book.
The poetry, inspired by the unique and challenging times of the Covid era, is beautifully crafted. It speaks to the heart and soul, touching on themes of isolation, resilience, and hope. Dempsey’s free-style approach to poetry allows his raw emotions and thoughts to shine through, making each piece deeply personal and moving.
Overall, this book is a must-read for anyone who enjoys thoughtful, provoking and well-crafted literature. Whether you're in the mood for a good laugh, a moment of reflection, or a poetic journey through the highs and lows of life, this collection has it all. Don’t miss out on experiencing the mind of a truly talented writer and deep thinker!
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews