Three years ago, thereabouts, I thought a fun project would be to write some stories of one hundred and forty words in length. Kind of like Twitter, except words instead of characters.

This was a far harder prospect than it first seemed, especially after the idea of one hundred and forty of the stories firmed in my mind.

But here we are.

Most of the stories are standalone, although there is one passage of twelve which were an experiment in adapting a longer short story. Not sure if it worked.

Really, each of these stories is a window into a larger world. Open them up and you get a glimpse of something more.

My hope is that you, dear reader, will find something here that makes you smile, laugh, or even get a bit, like, emotional knapsack. Right on.

Thanks!

Copyright © 2014 Stu Andrews

To my wife who fears the LORD.

To my kids who fill up life.

To the folks who birthed, nurtured and raised me.

To those who have read these stories when they didn't understand or agree with a few, some, most or all of them.

To the story-tellers who drew me into their worlds of epic journeys, terrible choices, ferocious beasts and ultra-cool masters of the blade.

And to Him. God above. Hallowed be His Name. Creator, Sustainer, Life-Giver. I can only poorly mimic His creativity and imagination.

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. And God said, "Let there be light," and there was light.

Genesis 1:1-3

Truly, neverly, always running over

The heart of the young is given

And given twice over again

To pursuits of power

Fully swayed

Love.

Always, tethered with cord

Three-fold is best

But alas not most

Gained and thought conquered

Lying await or grown

Love.

Gareth put down his pen. What rubbish, utter tripe.

But his heart longed. It ached. When they were apart the memory of her encompassed every segment of his mind. When they were together …

Lightning and fire and warmth.

She is all I can think about. Why is that? What manner of electrical impulse causes me to be so bewildered with love?

Gareth took up his pen.

Dear heart. Lonely no more.

Knocking at the door of love.

She opens, smiles,

And calls me in.

And all the while,

The fiercest din,

Beats within my soul.