Mark Schardine: Thanks to reviews and encouragement from my fellow writers at FanStory, I have recently published a second collection of poems entitled "As if in a Distant Dream" now available through Blue Jade Press.

I hope you will enjoy what Blue Jade Press has described as "a whimsical experiment with haiku that hides deeper meaning within its easy to read form" and find yourself pondering over them to discover you own way of finding meaning in them.

I greatly value the role FanStory plays in developing our writing skills, and also encourage you to express your ideas and share your work.

Please check out the amazon.com site of
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1733382224/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=Schardine&qid=1595450204&sr=8-3&fbclid=IwAR31DMztpD5WtoG9l9OnD00cXmM69WDny-mjTMPmTzyfnUNwY-JnCu3HTb4



Mark Schardine: Thanks to reviews and encouragement from my fellow writers at FanStory, I have recently published a collection of poems entitled "Charm, Elegance, and Intrigue" now available through Red Dashboard LLC Publishing.

I greatly value the role FanStory plays in developing our writing skills, and also encourage you to express your ideas and share your work.

Please check out the amazon.com site of
https://www.amazon.com/Charm-Elegance-Intrigue-Mark-Schardine/dp/1970003472/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=mark+schardine&qid=1567604400&s=gateway&sr=8-1


Mark Schardine: I would like to thank robyn corum for her thoughtful review which led to my poem Verdict Handed Down. I appreciate how a reviewer's insight can greatly help.
    Ima L. Ami: I would like to second that! Isn't Robyn wonderful? She's helped me a lot, too. Hip hip hooray for Robyn Corum! -
    robyn corum: hey! I just saw this -- I think robyn is pretty wonderful, too! oh wait....

    no. It's true! hahahaha -


Mark Schardine: Thank you for the many reviews of my recent poem Truly Baffling. I am very happy this work appeals to you. I needed some time to read and respond to your reviews.


Mark Schardine: My thanks go to Gungalo, who greatly helped me with the poem Ephemeral Marvel.
    Gungalo: LOL guy. Sorry for not checking this quicker. -


Mark Schardine: Scholars of ancient Greek, or poetry for that matter, often ponder the nature of the Muse. Who is she? What are her origins? Whom does she choose? Is she one of many?
We always find evidence of her presence: the numerous works for which we have her to thank. Though we seek to trace her steps and discover her, she always eludes us. Nothing remains for us except to appreciate what she has given.
    DIS-illusioned: Hmm! Isn't it sexist to assume that one's muse is a 'she'?
    Mine's an ever-nagging asexual/sex-less fiend from the depths of Tartarus. :) -
    Lady & Louis: Well, the Greek Muses were women, so it's descended from that idea.

    I don't have a muse. Possibly a Mews, but not a muse. -
    Mark Schardine: mews

    - noun

    1. street with dwellings converted from stables

    from dictionary.com

    Le roi de France en a besoin je suppose. -
    zeldasmith: Hi Mark, Nice to find a fellow poet only an hour north of me. My brother was a scuba diver and trainer in his younger days...it was challenging for him because he lost a leg in a motorcycle accident ay 19 years old. -


Mark Schardine: As I expressed in some recent poems, my chemotherapy has ended successfully. I thank all of you who kept me in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.


Mark Schardine: My works will undergo a change in content, because I have been diagnosed with lymphoma, a curable and treatable form of cancer. The medical staff fully expects me to recover after several months of chemotherapy.

In the hospital I already found I need to write about my experience and will soon share some poems with you.
    Jean Lutz: I've made the journey myself. Just want you to know you have my prayers and I am only a p.m. away if you need encouragement. -


Mark Schardine: I realize I have yet to share any thoughts with the community at fanstory, and I really should thank you for the noteworthy poems available every day.

I also appreciate those who review my poems. Many of you offer insightful suggestions for improvement, and I find I write better when someone offers an idea that did not occur to me.