Apr 25·edited Apr 25Liked by Sean Thomas McDonnell
Another strong piece. I like your style and approach very much. There’s no dead weight. It’s all story, humming along. Some thematic undercurrent? “Blood of the lamb”, “I bore witness”. Interesting.
As usual, stunning work! Love the imagery and, even though you warned us all yesterday about the dead dog, I was still saddened. Love love love the ending. I'll have to keep an eye out for people like the naturalist on my hike this weekend.
Same! I'm in constant awe over the beauty of my surroundings, but also paranoid about ticks, snakes, and serial killers. Mostly afraid of ticks tbh. :)
You got me going twelve ways from Wind in the Willows to Silence of the Lambs, or should I say 'Lamb dogs,' with that story. First of all, you did an outrageously good job with the settting and descriptive details: plants and critters. All of that, did not prepare me for the horror to come, but when it came I said, "Sean! He's done it again! You have a highly original quirk in your writing that works so well - especially with the very good concluding comments. Bravo!
A natural process for sure, jarring nonetheless. You captured the feeling nicely and concisely—a neat package. I also like the circular beginning and ending, giving the work a feeling of completeness. Nice job!
What people wouldn't do for a feather. This naturalist might belong elsewhere than out in nature. Poor dog but such is life. What an interesting pace and it seems all so nonchalant too. Great work Sean.
Thank you, Ika. I wanted it to resemble that feeling of being out on the trails. You see so much beauty, but then you come across a dead mouse covered in yellow jackets or some other such nightmare. haha
Nightmare might be subjective as I might find such fascinating purely out of curiosity and I have this strange fascination with Death. And no, not in psycho terms, just the abstract notion of it. Though I will agree most of those are unsightly and even gross.
Beautiful. I did not like the lamb-dog dying, but you don't have to warn me, either. I expect to be surprised, horrified, and delighted by your work. You're a fantastic writer, Sean. Thanks for sharing Icky Things with us!
Another strong piece. I like your style and approach very much. There’s no dead weight. It’s all story, humming along. Some thematic undercurrent? “Blood of the lamb”, “I bore witness”. Interesting.
Thank you, Ken! Yes, whenever I'm exploring nature, I tend to think about God. The beauty, the violence. It's fun! ;)
As usual, stunning work! Love the imagery and, even though you warned us all yesterday about the dead dog, I was still saddened. Love love love the ending. I'll have to keep an eye out for people like the naturalist on my hike this weekend.
Take a walking stick. A big one.
Yes, watch out! And don't wear a feather in your hat! They love them. They can't resist them.
From someone who spends a portion of her hiking time worrying about small animals getting eaten or killed, nicely done!
Same! I'm in constant awe over the beauty of my surroundings, but also paranoid about ticks, snakes, and serial killers. Mostly afraid of ticks tbh. :)
Ticks are the worst
You got me going twelve ways from Wind in the Willows to Silence of the Lambs, or should I say 'Lamb dogs,' with that story. First of all, you did an outrageously good job with the settting and descriptive details: plants and critters. All of that, did not prepare me for the horror to come, but when it came I said, "Sean! He's done it again! You have a highly original quirk in your writing that works so well - especially with the very good concluding comments. Bravo!
Thank you, Sandy! <3 Leaning into my thing, as you suggested! :))
this was so eerie from start to finish! loved it.
Thank you! :))
A natural process for sure, jarring nonetheless. You captured the feeling nicely and concisely—a neat package. I also like the circular beginning and ending, giving the work a feeling of completeness. Nice job!
Thank you for reading my story! <3
Disturbingly brilliant! One must always eye askance folks encountered on the trail…
Thank you, Liz! Trail-folk are not to be trusted! hehe
Bro what
Damn this was intense Seany
"Bro what" is exactly what I said to myself after writing this piece. haha
What people wouldn't do for a feather. This naturalist might belong elsewhere than out in nature. Poor dog but such is life. What an interesting pace and it seems all so nonchalant too. Great work Sean.
Thank you, Ika. I wanted it to resemble that feeling of being out on the trails. You see so much beauty, but then you come across a dead mouse covered in yellow jackets or some other such nightmare. haha
Nightmare might be subjective as I might find such fascinating purely out of curiosity and I have this strange fascination with Death. And no, not in psycho terms, just the abstract notion of it. Though I will agree most of those are unsightly and even gross.
Beautiful. I did not like the lamb-dog dying, but you don't have to warn me, either. I expect to be surprised, horrified, and delighted by your work. You're a fantastic writer, Sean. Thanks for sharing Icky Things with us!