Articles written by T.C Leonard - Page 4

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About me - T.C Leonard

I graduated from West Virginia University many years ago, and I find myself in my early forties, hoping to regain some of my writing skills. The biggest part of what I write on here is an attempt at comic relief, but every once in a while a serious, hopefully

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Creative Writing > Poetry Poetry: Rivers: 3 of 47
"Monongahela" A river of commerce, beginning to end, She's the slave of the coal barons' plan Through dams and locks, she stays on the clock Controlled mile by mile by man 'tis rare that she floods and never runs dry- Her shackles are heavy with use The river died in the industrial age... Of riches, of greed, of abuse... More..
Creative Writing > Poetry Poetry: At 2:30 am: 2 of 31
"Somebody Forgot to Turn Off the TV" As I roll over, there's a fish on my wallIn a regal, embattled poseI wonder briefly, "Where am I?"But decide I'm still home, I suppose A bright light flickers a few feet away,And it's also emitting a soundThe voices of Conan and Billy MayesDestroy slumber for miles around I could grab t... More..
Creative Writing > Essays Essays: Death of a parent: 3 of 46

To me, my father was a great man, and I've yet to meet anybody who would disagree with that. This would be the perfect forum to sing his praises, but, quite honestly, if he's tuned in to this essay that would embarrass him. I'll try to keep this as simple as possible; he would have liked it that way. One odd memory keeps popp... More..
Creative Writing > Poetry Poetry: Darkness: 15 of 227
"Nightmares From the End"The trees are closing in nowAs the half-light starts to fadeIs something looking to collectOn the promises I've made?The narrow path runs 'long a brookeIn an oak grove in my mindAnd passes cemetery gatesThat I hope I'll never findAn owl hoots in the distance-A familiar, odd refrainThat stirs future dr... More..
Creative Writing > Poetry Poetry: Remember me: 2 of 30
"This Doesn't Deserve a Title" Remember me? I wrote poetry And articles by the hundred, But since I've come to realize The odds are that I've blundered New ideas are like the desert- I haven't had one in a while Well, I thought I wrote an epic, But I missed it by a mile! So here I am-forgotten, Jotting lines to end ... More..
Creative Writing > Poetry Poetry: Drinks: 1 of 15
"In Praise of the Irish Car Bomb"With a half pint of GuinnessIs where this tale beginsPour a shot of Bailey'sTopped with Jameson's for grinsLight the whiskey with a lighterDrop the shot glass in the StoutAnd you'll have a partyThat'll bring your Irish out"Would ya like an Irish car bomb?"A good friend asked of me"No, I really... More..
Creative Writing > Poetry Poetry: The tragedy of love: 12 of 169
"Thirty-Two Lines Wasted on Love" When some write songs of love gone wrong, Is tragic what you'd call it? A long pause...yes, I must agree, Just behold my tear-stained wallet I recall long hours of overtime Wasted on flowers and perfume And the pungent, sweet aroma As you walked into the room The bottles are all dry now, And... More..
Creative Writing > Poetry Poetry: Alcoholism: 6 of 82
"Don't Ask Again"I loaned an old man sixty bucksFor his delinquent power billBut as soon as I had turned my backHe headed up the hillHe journeyed to a corner storeAnd spent the wad I fearHe sat in the dark the next two nightsWith his cigarettes and beerLights and air conditioning-For a week they'd have to waitHis food rotted ... More..
Creative Writing > Poetry Poetry: Inspired by books and movies: 2 of 27
"Saturday Afternoon Westerns"He rode from the pages,A hero from agesWhen men carried guns at their sideRuthless and cunning,He hit the screen running,His horse saddled up for the rideFrom a book by L'Amour,Through a saloon door,They call him Shane, Destry, or WyattDon't reach for your gun-I'm tellin' ya son,You'll be dead jus... More..
Creative Writing > Poetry Poetry: Alone in the dark: 2 of 27
"Spirit Communication?"As I sit here attentively listeningTo a loud rapping on the wallPower is interrupted, suddenlyBy a violent winter squallThe lights are out, clear down the streetBut the tapping marches onIf a spirit tries to signal meI'll be sleeping on the lawnI start to ask some questionsOne rap for yes and two for no... More..