Articles written by Stanley W. Shura

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About me - Stanley W. Shura

I am very much enjoying writing again. I seem to gravitate toward the short form, which makes online writing a very good fit. I am primarily a poet and essayist, and dabble occasionally with the short story. I am verbose in my non-writing life as well, but

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Creative Writing > Reflections Reflections: Living in the moment: 1 of 57

If I knew to an absolute certainty that today would be my last day alive, I would throw down all the foolish, imprisoning, mind-numbing, creativity-hampering, fear-inducing, nonsensically "sensible", obsessive compulsive, conforming-because-I'm-too-chickensh*t-to-do- otherwise! rules that have been the bane of my existence s...
Entertainment > Music (Other) Is listening to music at work calming or distracting?: 2 of 64

Music at work can be a calming and/or uplifting emotional, social, and motivational lubricant as conducive to serene productivity and professional service delivery as a comfortable pair of shoes, a couple of timely and reliable daily breaks, and a properly controlled indoor climate. On the other hand, it has the potential to...
Politics, News & Issues > US Politics (Other) Should our politicians be held to a higher moral standard?: 4 of 113

We Americans, and perhaps most of the world's industrialized populace, especially those of us not possessed of particularly elevated economic status and privilege, do have our favorite punching bags, don't we? Lawyers are up there. Tax cheats - maybe, depending on whom. Deadbeat *parents*. Overpaid celebritie...
Politics, News & Issues > Government & Policies Should smoking be allowed in public places?: 7 of 182

The debate over where smoking should be allowed and whose rights matter more and how to settle conflicts between smokers and nonsmokers, either in the abstract or in the ever real environment, is NOT about deciding which group should be oppressed by the other. Then again, maybe that is exactly it. Just as some may argue that...
Politics, News & Issues > Police & Prisons Are the police violating the law when tasering an unarmed citizen?: 1 of 22

Police officers are trained professionals whose duty it is to "protect and serve" the public. There is a heirarchy of command and a system of accountability which includes public scrutiny unmatched by most other professions. What an awesome position of respect. And what an awesome responsibility. Not everyone is cut out to d...
Creative Writing > Poetry Poetry: Alone: 15 of 264

A Quintessential Farewell Amidst the light that I could never see, I now embark to quit, and foresake Thee. By silent roar, I silence my own fear with bitter grief for music I can't hear. The air floats smallest bits of earthen scent just remnants now of life that came and went. I taste an envy for gifts unbestowed, My haste...
Creative Writing > Poetry Poetry: The right word: 4 of 65

Words Never Fail A picture is deamed worth a thousand. The right one? Worth a thousand pictures! Alone, it marks potential - boundless. Framed by other gems, their light glistens! When served with grace and care, we listen. A reverent oratory does not betray the mind The heart replaces any gest...
Arts & Humanities > Philosophical Concepts Understanding the concept of reality: 3 of 42

Is reality subjective? Is it dependant on context? On circumstance? On the eye of the beholder? Actually, reality is a quantitative, not qualitative, phenomenon. That is, it is nothing more than a position, one infinitely reducible point, which is the intersection of all 4 dimensions ((3 spa...
Health & Fitness > Fitness & Exercise Tips Couch potato vs. getting in shape: 1 of 14

We all know that there are benefits to harvest, and kudos to earn, by getting into something approximating physical fitness. We also know that there are health risks and societal and productivity negatives associated with too sedentary a lifestyle. We know that as animals, we humans must pay attention to maintain...
Creative Writing > Poetry Poetry: Writing: 36 of 464

All or Nothing Free-write experiment, stopping for naught, it's meta-poeting in which I'm now caught. Doing what, or not doing? Can I stop? I cannot. Free-write experiment, stopping for naught. Immune from no feedback, but fearing it some, do no editing now, 'though my id might go numb. "Always keep the pen moving" - 'tis th...