21 Comments
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Sandy Shaller's avatar

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!

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Sean Thomas McDonnell's avatar

Thank you, Sandy! <3 Leaning into my thing, as you suggested! :))

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Ken Flyingheart's avatar

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.

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Sean Thomas McDonnell's avatar

Thank you, Ken! Yes, whenever I'm exploring nature, I tend to think about God. The beauty, the violence. It's fun! ;)

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Will Boucher's avatar

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.

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Author Michele Bardsley's avatar

Take a walking stick. A big one.

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Sean Thomas McDonnell's avatar

Yes, watch out! And don't wear a feather in your hat! They love them. They can't resist them.

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Jessica Maison's avatar

From someone who spends a portion of her hiking time worrying about small animals getting eaten or killed, nicely done!

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Sean Thomas McDonnell's avatar

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. :)

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Jessica Maison's avatar

Ticks are the worst

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EJ Trask's avatar

this was so eerie from start to finish! loved it.

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Sean Thomas McDonnell's avatar

Thank you! :))

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Liz Zimmers's avatar

Disturbingly brilliant! One must always eye askance folks encountered on the trail…

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Sean Thomas McDonnell's avatar

Thank you, Liz! Trail-folk are not to be trusted! hehe

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Sudana Krasniqi's avatar

Bro what

Damn this was intense Seany

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Sean Thomas McDonnell's avatar

"Bro what" is exactly what I said to myself after writing this piece. haha

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Ika Wright's avatar

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.

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Sean Thomas McDonnell's avatar

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

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Ika Wright's avatar

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.

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Author Michele Bardsley's avatar

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!

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Apr 26, 2024
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Sean Thomas McDonnell's avatar

Thank you for reading my story! <3

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