Raymond G. Taylor
Bio
Author living in Kent, England. Writer of short stories and poems in a wide range of genres, forms and styles. A non-fiction writer for 40+ years. Subjects include art, history, science, business, law, and the human condition.
Stories (638)
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Witches of the waterfront
"Bless this day and make it fruitful. Bring me a man with gold coin, a hatful." Jacinda's sing-song voice was a delight to hear on a bright spring morning, as the four women strutted through the streets on their way to the harbor market. Baskets on their heads, laden with their simple wares, the women teased and taunted the good people they passed. Many shook their heads at so brazen a procession, some mouthing "harlots" or even "witches" under their breath. Witches they may have been, harlots they were not.
By Raymond G. Taylor2 years ago in Fiction
Run with the Pack: Chapter 11
When Bahr returned from his night’s hunt for food, unlike Elha, he did not bring a freshly killed carcass with him. His muzzle was hardly bloodied from the scraps and carrion that he had unearthed on his circuitous route through the labyrinth of the forest. There would be no family feasting that morning. A wolf could not expect to feast every day and would soon grow to a lardy, disfigured lump, if it did, and would likely fall prey to the forest. Feast followed by famine was what kept the wolf sleek and fast at the chase and allowed it to fight off any kill thief, whether wolf, bear or just a mangy, scavenging no-wolf.
By Raymond G. Taylor2 years ago in Fiction
Still looking for ideas for your 'under a spell' entry?. Top Story - October 2023.
Bless you! What's that if not a magic spell? Well I guess it could be a prayer but then again... what's the difference? "Happy birthday to you" is a line from a song. But if you sing it and then ask the birthday girl or boy to blow out candles on a cake, then surely that's a spell too? I once heard a talk about magic that made just this point.
By Raymond G. Taylor2 years ago in Writers
Run with the Pack: Chapter 10
From small, sightless, black-coated, fluffy squiggles of crawling furball, the pups grew into mischievous, playful, squeaking, mini-wolves, looking for adventure and desperate to explore the whole new world outside their dimly lit den. From milk sopping babes that never ventured far from their mother, they started to wean to diets that were part-milk, part regurgitated food.
By Raymond G. Taylor2 years ago in Chapters
How to get into Vogue
I don’t often read Vogue but when I do I always learn something. Faced with a three hour flight from London Gatwick I bought a discounted £2 copy from WHSmith, and glad I did. The cover, featuring Leonardo di Caprio and Lily Gladstone, was a beautiful example of how glamorous Hollywood actors can be made to look even more glamorous.
By Raymond G. Taylor2 years ago in Writers
Run with the Pack: Chapter 9
In the nights and days that came to pass, the growing thaw brought more and more life to the forest. The two wolves sought food with a growing appetite and an ever-pressing hunger. Acting together, but without any conscious planning, Bahr and Elha were able to feed that hunger by acting in concert, whether to hunt live food or to sniff down carrion.
By Raymond G. Taylor2 years ago in Chapters
Nuts to vegetarians. Runner-Up in Nourished Challenge.
When it comes to eating meat, I stopped 40 years ago in 1983. I recall the last meaty meal I ate, mostly because it was a mistake, an oversight. Invited to dinner with some work friends I had neglected to tell them that I was a vegetarian. Completely forgot to say, that is, until a big bowl of steaming spag bol was placed in front of me. Appealing as it was, it seemed, to all the other guests, I had to steel myself to tackle it.
By Raymond G. Taylor2 years ago in Feast
Run with the Pack: Chapter 8
As Bahr approached Elha, she turned and both wolves stopped, looking at each other from a few paces away. Bahr was still panting from his ordeal and the exertion of fighting off the stranger wolf. There was a deep gash to his shoulder and another wound to his flank. This time, when Bahr approached Elha closer, she did not growl or show her fangs. She licked his muzzle, and he returned the gesture. They were now reconciled to each other, it seemed.
By Raymond G. Taylor2 years ago in Chapters
