Cynthia A. Morgan's Blog, page 30

The Fine Art of Slumber – #CatPics

Pics of my kitties (from years past) enjoying a snooze the way only a kitty can

~Morgan~

Hope- #InspirationalPoetry

Hope Unveils its Glimmering head
Whenever doubts claim it is dead,
Rivaling the face of treason,
Hope lends Courage, Intrepidity and Reason.
Walking past the vacant door
And all the avarice wanting more,
Hope Shields us in the dark of night,
Guiding with Illumination Bright.
Sordid Tales, weave not your lies!
Hope Stands Strong when Desperation Sighs,
And when the Faithless stammer in uncertainty,
Hope Speaks Clear with Bolstering Surety.

 

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Poetry and Art by ~Morgan~

~Thank You for reading ~

If you’d like to keep up with everything I’m doing, sign up for my monthly newsletter by visiting my author website

If you’d like to see more of my artwork, please visit my DeviantArt page

Clockwork Rhymes – #50WordStories #MicroFiction

 

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Whispers of secrets laugh boldly, yet are jealously guarded; staring like harbingers from her mechanized gaze.

Grace fallen upon unforgiving innocence betrays a wealth of calamity sitting in melancholic glee upon her shoulders.

Childhood sings from the devious shadows; hope smiling as she silently watches clockwork unraveling Gothic nursery rhymes.

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Poetry and Art by ~Morgan~

~Thank You for reading ~

If you’d like to keep up with everything I’m doing, sign up for my monthly newsletter by visiting my author website

If you’d like to see more of my artwork, please visit my DeviantArt page

The Healer – A #Fantasy #Character #Spotlight

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A Fellow author recently interviewed Me about one of my lesser-known characters from Dark Fey, so I chose to share the Character spotlight in its entirety today. I hope you will enjoy learning about The Healer, who becomes one of the main characters throughout the pages of book two, Standing In Shadows.

Tell me a bit about your character. Who are they, and how old are they? What do they look like? His name is Evondair and he comes into the story in Dark Fey: Standing In Shadows.  He is a youthful Healer just beginning his dedicated years of practice round about the age of 25, though I never do specify.  He is an average height for a malefey, standing 5’10”, and has a trim, powerful physique.  The golden-blond waves of his shoulder-length hair accentuate the deep viridian of his eyes and his expansive white wings.  He is beautifully handsome, but far from arrogant about it.

Do they have any strange or unique physical traits? Most Fey are either telepathic, empathic or have a gift of discernment and Evondair’s gift of discernment is exceptional. He is able to understand another as completely as they know themselves and can usually tell truth from lies with relative ease. Although he has no gift of magic, as some Fey do, he is also a skilled Healer of innate ability.

Does the character have any quirks? In spite of his harmonious nature, he has an impishly mischievous side, as well as an unpredictably short temper, particularly for a Healer.

Where do they live? What’s it like there? Evondair resides within the Temple Complex of Hwyndarin in simple quarters, but the Temple is the center of all learning and contemplation for the village, filled with lush gardens, tranquil devotionaries, vast libraries, and the Healing Wards where he studied and practices. Peopled by artisans, scholars, Celebrants, and the Triune Elders, it is by far the most luxurious and beneficial place to live on the entire continent.

What is their role in the story? Are they the protagonist/antagonist, or a supporting character? Evondair stepped into the story of Standing In Shadows quietly, as his nature would dictate, but he has become a central, supporting character with a clear purpose. His harmonious inclination leads him to make a choice that will ultimately guide many others; changing the entire relationship between the Fey of the Light and the Dark Fey forever.  (no spoilers here!   )

What do they do for a living? Evondair is a Healer, which is very much the same as a doctor, although the Fey of the Light practice holistic medicine, herbalism, and magic, for those who have such gifts. Although he is a practicing Healer, Evondair is also a voracious reader and is seldom found not studying to increase his knowledge of the healing arts.

What do they do for fun? Like many malefey, Evondair enjoys playing Vladokhyssum, a sport similar to Rugby and Kill the Carrier, though the entire match takes place on the wing. It is a comparatively violent sport in which one team member tries to score, being defended by only his three teammates, while twelve others attempt to stop him by (nearly) any means possible.

What is their greatest weakness, their greatest strength? Compassion for others and the confidence to do what he knows is right lie at the heart of Evondair’s nature, but his swift temper often leads him astray.

What is the best that ever happened to them? The worst? The best thing to ever happen to Evondair comes in book three, Breaking Into The Light, when he meets Kaylyya, his true mate. I cannot tell you the worst thing, as it would be too great a spoiler for book three.

What do they want from life? What are their goals? As a Healer, Evondair longs for harmony and a calm, quiet life, not only for himself, but for all. Although he is young, it does not take him long to understand that the only way to achieve the Peace he longs for is by becoming Peace. 

Can you share a snippet from the book to give us a taste of Evondair’s character?

…..“The Reviled are tracking us; they are within the cavern and closing in.  We cannot delay!” At hearing his warning, the golden-haired Fey glanced over his shoulder with noticeable trepidation, leaning closer to gather Gairynzvl more securely in his arms.  With the Healer’s strong supportive embrace, he finally found his feet, although he stood for a moment, collecting his senses.  Before he could stagger onward, Evondair bid him to wait while he rummaged through the pack he carried between his nebulous wings, seeking his allotment of Quiroth, which he had not yet utilized.

“Drink this.” Handing the small bottle forward to Gairynzvl, who stood staring blankly into the distance in a muddled haze, he placed the bottle in his hand, waited; then physically lifted it to his mouth.

“It will strengthen you.  Drink!”  Again the Healer spoke with a surprisingly forceful tone and Gairynzvl shook himself at last, grasped the bottle more firmly and tilted it hastily over his lips.  He remembered the foul tang of the amber liquid from the last time he had been required to drink it and his reaction to the strong, earthy flavor and pungent aroma was the same.  Turning his head abruptly, he could not force himself to not spit it out; groaning in disgust and shuddering with revulsion at its taste, but the Healer would not be eluded so easily.  Leaning close another time, he spoke with an unmistakably threatening tone.

“It is good that the darkness is blinding; if Mardan could see, he would be only too happy to restrain you while I force you to drink.”  Twisting to gaze backward at the Healer with astonishment, Gairynzvl scoffed, then shook his head when he neither moved away nor said anything further, demonstrating his intractable intentions through the silence of his piercing viridian stare alone.  Raising the bottle to his mouth begrudgingly, Gairynzvl frowned ferociously at it, tilted his head back and drank its contents in one draught, hissing with loathing at the empty container before he handed it abruptly back to Evondair.

“You will thank me for this.” ….

And to wrap things up, does this character of a “theme” song (or several)? Definitely Twilight by Delerium (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gpBU74RRY3A&feature=youtu.be )

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~Morgan~

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Discover Dark Fey:

The Epic YA Fantasy Trilogy Dark Fey is set in the fantastical realm of Jyndari, a world of beauty, magic, Bright Light and Devouring Darkness. It relates a story about the Life-changing Strength of Hope, the Value of Acceptance, and the world-changing Power of Forgiveness through a tale that is brutally beautiful.

The only way to achieve Peace is to become Peace.

Dark Fey Official Website:  https://allthingsdarkfey.wixsite.com/feyandmusings

The Reviled: http://mybook.to/thereviled
Standing In Shadows: http://mybook.to/standinginshadows
Breaking Into The Light: http://mybook.to/BreakingLight

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~Morgan~

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Beautiful Original Artwork by: Han AhReum

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Talisman of Consideration – #Metaphysical #Poetry

 

Transcendental minutes of Unencumbered Time,
Tracing Platonic limits in Corporeal Design,
Hearken to Capricious Notions, Enigmatically Dancing,
Luminous and Insubstantial, Yet Inescapably Entrancing.
Delving Past the Void of Deliberate Voracity,
Talisman of Consideration challenging Humanesque Capacity.

Poetry and Art by ~Morgan~

~Thank You for reading ~

If you’d like to keep up with everything I’m doing, sign up for my monthly newsletter by visiting my author website

If you’d like to see more of my artwork, please visit my DeviantArt page

Positivity – #PoetryforChange Challenge

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I invite you to JOIN ME in Creating Positive Change through poetry.

Whether you opt for Free Verse, Form, Narrative, or Visual Poetry, I hope you will take up this simple challenge to post once a week about something you BELIEVE needs to be changed.

Please use the hashtag #PoetryforChange and spread the word by reblogging and retweeting your post and others with the same tag.

Let’s make the world a better place!

With Hope for Harmony,

~Morgan~

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Beautiful original photograph:  Beth Moon, “Delphinius,” a Utah juniper in Dead Horse Point State Park, Utah

A Philosophical Twist on Dark versus Light- #Epic #YA #Fantasy

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The Reviled are the enemy.​ They embody brutality in every form. The Fey of the Light know only too well how savage the Dark Fey can be and daring to think otherwise invites tragedy.

Gairynzvl was once one of the Reviled and lived the riotous life of all Dark Ones, but his acceptance by The Fey of the Light has changed all that.​ Now, he is opposing The Reviled by returning into their dark realm and rescuing childfey. The actions taken by him and his band of Liberators are not only changing lives, they are fulfilling ancient prophecies and proving long-accepted beliefs inaccurate.

Those who have lived in the Light all their lives are suddenly faced with unavoidable questions. How is peace achieved? Can Light unite with Darkness? Can all the atrocities the Dark Ones have inflicted really be forgiven?​

The Fey of the Light have a deadly choice to make:​ ignore the emerging truth or risk the tranquility of their realm and go to war to offer the Reviled a chance to change.Dark Fey Breaking Into The Light asks the questions, can we truly understand another’s misery without knowing the extent to which they suffer? Would we willingly risk our lives for someone without experiencing some measure of their pain, despair, or anger?​

​ ​ Reviewed by Book Review Directory – 4 Stars A tale of battle, redemption, and an empathetic look at one’s stance against “evil,” this book will appeal to fantasy fans who like a story that makes them think. Full of fanciful creatures, strange languages, and exotic names, the story is a philosophical twist on the perennial tale of dark versus light.

http://mybook.to/breakingcm

Showers of Blessings- #BeTheChange- A Thought on #Gratitude, #RandomActsofKindness and #Generosity

Being Grateful means, by Oxford’s definition, a readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness; having or showing the desire or reason to thank someone for giving pleasure or comfort. Being Grateful means you know you are indebted to someone for some action undertaken by them that benefited you in some manner and consciously acknowledging that appreciation. Gratitude can take unnumbered shapes and forms, from tickets to the hottest show in town to a brand new Porsche (theoretically speaking, of course), but often gratitude comes in gentler doses; a simple inclination of the head, a tearful, wordless hug, a handshake and poignant look into another’s eyes. Yet however it comes, it is one of the most important things we can ever do.

Expressing gratitude rewards; it builds bridges, it alleviates tensions, it sets a higher standard, but it also opens the doors and windows to blessings untold. It sets aside our baser, more selfish tendencies and allows us to be, if only for a few moments, the people we all wish we could be far more frequently. It makes princes out of paupers and, conversely, paupers out of princes; it is a leveler of scores and a righter of wrongs and no matter how it is expressed, if it is genuine, it is always significant.

Imagine, for a moment, that you are a laborer working at some menial job; cleaning bathrooms perhaps, collecting garbage, mopping floors somewhere. Every day you come in on time, do your job conscientiously and without complaint; you leave only when your task is done completely and correctly, but no one ever says a word to you. If you didn’t do this job, the resulting mess would be atrocious, yet people pass by you all the while you work, stepping to the far side of the hall or moving to the other side of the room rather than approaching you and no one, not even your boss, tells you that you are doing a good job.

Then one day, out of the blue, a complete stranger comes up to you and says Thank You. They tell you they truly appreciate your willingness to do a job that not many others would do and they even go so far as to shake your hand, although you are grimy and they are pressed and polished. It only takes a moment, then they go on their way, but their simple act changes everything. You hold your head higher, walk with a lighter step; you go home, tell those close to you what happened, share how good it made you feel and, regardless of the fact that no one, not even your boss, has ever told you how important you are, you value yourself much more highly.

When you go back to work, you feel so good, so essential, you begin taking on extra responsibilities without being asked; you work a few extra minutes each day tidying up or polishing something that has been neglected for months. You talk to people more willingly; you share a smile more easily; you begin noticing the things that others do, which go unspoken, and you take time to extend a token of appreciation to them. A small note of thanks for cleaning the windows so well or a bottle of water for the man cutting the grass outside in the summer heat, and as a result of all of this, you feel even better about yourself.

Not too long after this change occurs, your boss stops by unannounced to speak with you. He tells you that he has noticed what a great job you’ve been doing lately, how hard you have been working and how well you treat your coworkers and the company’s clientele. He explains that a new position has recently been created by management, one for which he feels you would be perfect, and asks if you would be interested in a promotion and a raise. Then he stands back and watches you smile.

And all because someone thanked you.

Yes, Gratitude is a miracle worker, and if we remember to be thankful for our blessings, big or small, trite or unique, miraculous or mundane, our appreciation invariably opens the floodgates and allows Heaven to send down Showers of Blessings beyond imagining.

~Morgan~

Change Within – #PoetryforChange #PoetryChalleng

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I invite you to JOIN ME in Creating Positive Change through poetry.

Whether you opt for Free Verse, Form, Narrative, or Visual Poetry, I hope you will take up this simple challenge to post once a week about something you BELIEVE needs to be changed.

Please use the hashtag #PoetryforChange and spread the word by reblogging and retweeting your post and others with the same tag.

Let’s make the world a better place!

With Hope for Harmony,

~Morgan~

~Morgan~

Abstraction – #Passion & #LovePoetry

 

Heartbeat

Breath

Warmth

Whisper

Clasp

Dizzy

Closer

Pleasure

Tracing

Linger

Sigh

Distraction

Longing

Breathless

Union

Abstraction

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Poetry and Art by ~Morgan~

~Thank You for reading ~

If you’d like to keep up with everything I’m doing, sign up for my monthly newsletter by visiting my author website

If you’d like to see more of my artwork, please visit my DeviantArt page