Read My Shorts: An anthology of short stories and verse

by John Morey

Poetry and short stories of J S (John) Morey
Eight poems and five short stories - all entertaining - all with a message

The stories

The Leather Bottle
Inspired by the reality that the embers of true love can remain softly burning for decades - even surviving and shining through the ravages of dementia.
Enjoy this heart-warming tale of love lost and found again, even against all odds, and a lesson for us all faced with overcoming dementia and the loss of a partner.

Lifesaver (x 2)
Two true-life episodes under one title - exploring the notion that those with least to give are often the most generous.

Coal-miner's Son
Set in the Kentucky backwoods and inspired by John Prine's immortal song 'Muhlenberg County', a young trainee reporter discovers one of the most important scoops of his life lies buried in his own family history.

Peregrine - a true account of a Peregrine falcon at The Bowling Green, Topsham
Another tale inspired by true life events - this one experienced on one of the author's bird-watching trips. 'If only animals could talk' - well, don't worry, these birds can - and do.
Irony mixed with comedy.

The poems

Air and Water
A reminder of the importance of these most essential life-giving elements.

Granddad
The author's great grandfather had a bespoke tailor shop on The Parade in Exmouth, Devon in the late 1800's. There he played host to Chief Sitting Bull who had survived The Battle of The Little Bighorn.
A true account proving that we are only three steps away from someone famous.

Paul
Here the author explores his feelings and confusions still surfacing years after losing touch with a close friend - one who, at the time, was struggling in a relationship with a girl with whom he was totally enamored.
He poses a question we may all face, in his closing thoughts.

He turned out OK
Years after he first encountered the the subject of this poem - someone who was troubled by demons not of his own making - the author is witness to a total transformation in the same person's character and outlook.
Proof that we can all change, if we want to.

Runaway
We may lose the love of someone but, if we then understand reasons for the loss, in some ways it can help.
Sometimes.

Plus verse and poems on subjects from the homeless, gun crime (both profound) to Richard III (an alternative, humorous account).

Each can be 'read in one session' or less with quality writing condensed into fewest words. John's principal work is the romantic novel series 'Love should never be this hard', followed by 'Wild Hearts Roam Free', 'Unresolved?', and 'Those Italian Girls' - all available on Amazon in eBook and paperback formats.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B09HQB4J9H
• ISBN13: 9798491626298
• Release Date: October 2021
• Publisher: Independently Published
• Length: 84 Pages
• Weight: 0.20 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.2" x 5.0" x 8.0"