11 Comments

One of my favorite classic poems is from Walt Whitman:

This is what you shall do; Love the earth and sun and the animals, despise riches, give alms to every one that asks, stand up for the stupid and crazy, devote your income and labor to others, hate tyrants, argue not concerning God, have patience and indulgence toward the people, take off your hat to nothing known or unknown or to any man or number of men, go freely with powerful uneducated persons and with the young and with the mothers of families, read these leaves in the open air every season of every year of your life, re-examine all you have been told at school or church or in any book, dismiss whatever insults your own soul, and your very flesh shall be a great poem and have the richest fluency not only in its words but in the silent lines of its lips and face and between the lashes of your eyes and in every motion and joint of your body.

Walt Whitman

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God I love this. Thanks for sharing.

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The poem? , it's untitled. I read that 30 years ago in New Yorker magazine and kinda try to live by it. Your experience with the indoctrination of Christianity kinda made me think you'd like it.

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Just a hobby really, I can play guitar but I'm an intermediate at best. I just like to tinker with stuff. I'd love to see how his came out. I built one (purchased body and neck) put in the hardware I want, and painted. I also had an old bass from the 80s I rebuilt and painted. I don't cut my own bodies or necks, those guys are amazing. I just thought what better way to learn setup than build one. My wife paints and does sketches, we both are pretty avid readers.

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Great selection. Also, props to you for the honesty regarding the King quote.

You know, The Stand is one of the few books of his I haven't read. I'm not sure why. I love King's works.

Thought I'd pop in a recommendation: I inhaled Bret Easton Ellis' The Shards a few months ago. Incredible read. Dark and messed up, as you'd imagine from him. Might be up your alley based on what I've read so far here hehe ;)

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I don’t know Bret Easton Hills! Definitely going to have to check him out. Thank you!

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He of American Psycho fame (also a dark, dark book), the book the film was based on.

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Hi Shaina, Really appreciate what you're doing. I think we have a similar sensibility and wanted to introduce myself. My Substack is Castalia - https://castaliajournal.substack.com/

It includes a weekly short story as well as a variety of writing.

I'm constantly looking for great writing as well - and looking to promote it.

Happy to be in touch it!

- Sam

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Thanks so much for the introduction. Your Substack is right up my alley. I look forward to more exchanges and reading your work!

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Your are not shouting I to the abyss. I've been reading your posts a few days now. I'm an avid reader of both fiction and non fiction, fairly new to Substack, but I like the variety.comments on Jimmy Dooms Roulette Weal brought me here, your writing brings me back. I'm from Detroit, collect, repair, sell and trade vintage stereo equipment and vinyl records. Also been trying my hand at guitar building with the help of a friend. The last book I re-read was "Things your grandchildren should know" by musician Mark Oliver Everett of the Eels. Fun, easy and interesting read.

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Welcome! I’m glad to have you here! My husband has built a few guitars. Pretty rad hobbies. Are you a musician?

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