CM Simpson: Writer & Gamer

This week’s verse moves from a fantasy verse about fallen heroes remembered to an urban fantasy verse about the sphinx and Egyptian mythology. It is taken from Another 365 Days of Poetry , a collection of mixed-genre poetry released in 2019. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Resurgent Sphinx Mythic mysterious great riddler of the gates guardian of the pharoah’s tomb it waits A hawk, ram, or human head on lion’s body made, a guardian, and fearsome legend the sphinx in stories waits. A tomb, a treasure, long-lost or remade the sphinx the guardian will re-awake and rise when summoned by the pharaoh’s line whose blood still flows forgotten lost, reviving as its ties to blood lines living re-take. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- You can f...

This week’s short story takes us from a science fiction setting where mythical creatures walk the stars to a world of fantasy where elven raiders ride spiders and ghosts are real. Welcome to The Soul in the Sword. When an Arach raiding party attacks a wagon train and moves on to take on the next town, Dannon is part of the out-riders who must clean up in their wake. The dead girl on the wagon is just one of many reasons he doesn’t like spiders, or the elves that ride them. The Soul in the Sword (Extract) The spider reared, raking down with its forelegs. Allun threw himself sideways, dodging the blade-like spines of one leg and blocking the other leg’s cutting edge with his sword. The spider lunged after him, wicked fangs flashing, their points gleaming dully in the dawn-light. Allun rolled from beneath them, turning to face the beast and its rider again. The spider’s rider raised his lance and sliced at the man below him. Allun tried to par...

LAST WEEK, Simone told Tiger how she'd dealt with a ship full of infected people . This week, Tiger tells Simone that help is on the way - and so is he. Chapter 6 (Extract) – On My Way Hey, Simone I’m fine. We got off the FedExplore base a couple of days ago. The liner that picked us up is called the Sugarsides . Can you believe it? Sugarsides ! I have to admit, though, it is a pretty sweet ride. That was a joke, Simone. You’re supposed to laugh. I might not be able to see you, but I know you’re not laughing. In fact, you’re probably trying to think of ways to send me to my room, and that is sooo not going to happen. I just thought you might need a laugh. I know you must be feeling very alone out there, and a bit shaken up by what you were able to do. Don’t be afraid of that. You are still the old Simone to me, even if you’ve been given a few add-ons. I can deal with that. You need to deal with it, too. I’m glad you managed to get ever...

This week’s verse moves from a science fiction verse about a fortune hunter learning a well-deserved lesson, to a fantasy verse about commemorating heroes. It is taken from Another 365 Days of Poetry , a collection of mixed-genre poetry released in 2019. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Battle Ghosts Long lie the ghosts in the skies and the fields, Beneath clouds, stars and soil in the land they defended where long ago, in hard battle, their lives they did yield. They fought with their voices, with what they could wield They fought with the tools that for peace were intended Long lie the ghosts in the skies and the fields No one ran; they all stayed when the warning bells pealed Took up arms, kitchen tools, ploughs to swords were soon rendered, and long ago, in hard battle, their lives they did yield. They are memories, now, their fate is long-sealed ...

This week’s short story takes us f rom a science fiction setting where family politics lead to corporate enslavement to a science fiction setting where mythical creatures walk the stars. Welcome to T he Songster & the Pirates . Once a space merc, now a singer, Taran keeps her identity as a siren secret. When spacewolves join the audience at her current gig, she knows what they’re looking for. The only question is can she slip away, before the wolves and her past can catch up with her? The Songster & the Pirates   Taran looked out into the audience, noting the four hulking figures in dark grey ship suits, mingling amongst them. She knew spacers when she saw them, and she knew werewolves, too—and these were trying way too hard to blend in to be interested in anyone but her. She studied them, as she continued to sing, letting her eyes rove over the audience, and snatching details of her targets as she went. It wouldn’t do to stare, or they m...