Stories and poems that have made it into our recommended reading section are hand picked by our staff. They have been identified as exceptional pieces of writing, which warrant separate recognition.
Stories that are part of a series, or novels that have made it into this outstanding series section, are nominated by our staff and awarded by a select panel. These stories have been deemed superior as complete works and have garnered special recognition.
You are almost certainly guaranteed a good read, if you've selected a story from these offerings!
Love is life’s cruel mistress, And life’s crowning triumph. Love embitters the soul, yet conquers the heart. Love is never easy, And will die without toils. It is languor and sweat, the power and rejuvenation. Love brings this man to his knees, pushes his face into the dirt. It gives light into his darkness, and delivers joy to his world. Love grows in the wound and the healing. It is the dusk and the dawn. Love allows no...
This poem only available on Stories Space. If you are reading it elsewhere, it has been stolen.Peach perfect moon in an apricot sky,There are footsteps in the stardustWhere the diamonds of the sunCause a waterfall of velvet heatAnd shining shards of opal tearsTo stream on the horizon onThe edge of nightfall's waningWhere the dank abyss is hiding'Neath the dusky cotton clouds.Sunshine old and mellowLifts me airborne raised...
Where are my children? Why didn't I get one? She got two And I got none. Why can't I have one? Just one little oneIt doesn't seem fair Now it's all said and done. We tried and we tried None stayed here with me.Everything seems empty Why couldn't we be three? No frilly dresses No swings in our yard No crib in the bedroom No Lego to pull apart. No cute little bundle With sweet smelling hair No sleepless nights Spent in a ro...
THE FOURTH OF JULY Did they know when they signed their names, declaring freedom from tyranny and the right to pursue happiness, that the women in their lives, the Africans who plowed their fields, the Natives whose land they occupied were listening and breathing the same air that summer day? Did they realize their ignorance when they rang the bell of liberty and heard the cannon roar in celebration that they were creatin...
My Green-Eyed Temptress Has eyes that are Bright Shining Alluring Inviting Mysterious Playful Vexing My green-eyed temptress has eyes that are Pools of love laced with golden glitter Pin pricks of desire boring into me Hints of passion yet to come Beacons of hope on a dark stormy night within my soul Transforming me Helping create a revival of passion within my soul A window to her soul My green-eyed temptress has eyes th...
There it was, a viscous blob of limber elasticity capable only of thought and some kind of irregular nebulous form of motion, perceiving the world yet barely influencing it. It spent its time floundering around the park, observing the quotidian routines of the proletarians in their mundane and monotonous undertakings, yet it felt drawn with interest and was intrigued to know more of the lives of these hoi polloi. It desir...
"Woman want baby. Woman want JuJu.” “What?” “JuJu. It’s magic. African magic, white or black.” “I don’t want black magic, Tutu.” Tutu smiled. “Here,” she said. “Have this.” Tutu gave me a tiny carved figurine; she explained how the women of Ghana use ones just like it to help with fertility. They carry their wooden doll at all times, usually hidden under clothing so only a spirit's eyes can see it. Then hopefully, an anci...
... in early morning waking there is that fleeing dream. it is almost lucid as I feel your body curled behind me... the warmth of my back spoon, gradually cooling. . my heart breaks under the weight of no expectation, of never-will-be, of truth. how do I ever sing again? . I rise from sleep, shower the hope away, put on the pretense of the day. "hello world. it is me! everything is going to be fine." ...
“What’s in cell 119?” Albertson looked up at me for the first time since I’d sat down. I’d been building up the courage to ask about 119 for ten minutes, but his expression made me wish I’d kept my mouth shut. He leaned across the desk, examining me closely. I felt suddenly nervous, was I about to be fired before my probation period was even up? “What did you say James?” “It’s just, I was running over some of the blueprin...
Just because she doesn't cry, Doesn’t mean a thing. What she’s piddling with Is a hainted heart. Sometimes tears Can't cause a river Deep enough for a woman To dip her haint of a heart in --Not when she has lived too long In such a short time. What is the purpose of a tear If not to soothe? A woman can grow dry Inside Like burnt leaves, Discarded among dead roots Of hollow trees Leaning naked in the wind. N...
Lucy found the magic wand at a garage sale. It was obviously used and the asking price was two dollars. “How do I know if it really works?” she asked the man behind the table. “You drive a hard bargain there, missy,” he replied. “I’ll give it to you for a dollar, but not a penny less.” For a dollar she figured she couldn’t go wrong, so she bought it. When Lucy got home she thought she’d use the wand to turn her mother’s m...
“Asexual man seeks asexual woman.” I crinkled my forehead, and read the personal ad again. What does this mean? In biology I learned that worms and bacteria are asexual, men and women aren’t? What would an asexual man want with an asexual woman? Am I asexual? Reading that one line in the personal ads on Craig’s List was an epiphany moment. I researched this “Asexual” thing and discovered that I solidly fit into the grey w...
It could be because I have walked down many a darkened road and taken many wrong turns that left me lost in the world, that I feel this way, but regardless the reason, I believe that we all have the ability to rise above the circumstances of our lives. Yes, I may get lost sometimes, but oh, the beautiful places I have found, and adventures I have had while lost! Sometimes, things don't work out the way we want them to, bu...
Nell The knock was soft, but made us both jump nonetheless. “Don’t get it,” Jamie whispered in my ear, “Whoever it is will go away.” Ignoring him, I climbed to my feet and straightened my skirts. “If you’ve come with gifts or flowers, you’re supposed to leave them at the stage door...” I trailed off. A pair of sparkling gold and diamond buckles adorned shining black shoes. A cloak of velvet hung in ripples across his shou...
There was kid who always hid From his parent's furious yells He stayed at places where he knew no faces And his alarm clock was the bells. His name was short and gave him a fort From the troubles day to day When children teased he always thanked and pleased Never knowing what else to say. His hair was brown and he had a frown From the worries he had to commence His eyes were blue – a beautiful hue And were his only defen...
