Story and Poem of the Month

With grateful thanks to Turlough, here are the ABCTales Picks of the Month for November:

 

ABC Tales Story and Poem of the Month for November 2025

 

With such a wonderful array of excellent writing to choose from, November was a month in which our busy and talented writers maintained the usual high standard, so picking out a story and a poem of the month was quite a task but one that I enjoyed.

I’ve always had good feelings from being part of this very creative group that both entertains and inspires me. In this respect I’d say that every member deserves congratulation for what they’ve done. Irrespective of the outcome, they’ve at least had a go and revealed a little of their inner selves for others to read. The world has too many people who threaten to write but never do. 

 

Here are a few of my favourites from this month’s poems:

 

Land of Hope and Fury, by Ewan

There’s anger in us all, and envy. We all want a better world but mostly we seem to want a better world for ourselves. 

https://www.abctales.com/story/ewan/land-hope-and-fury

 

The World is Closed, by Jane Hyphen

If you haven’t already been wondering what the world’s coming to then this poem will get you started. Pollution, overpopulation, overproduction and shortages on a planet that we’re rapidly burning out. It’s all here.

https://www.abctales.com/story/jane-hyphen/world-closed

 

Memory, by markashley

Thoughts about why we remember and why we forget, and why we have no control over memories that can fly in and change or lives in the present. On reading this the first couple of times I had more to say but now I can’t remember what it was, which illustrates the point. 

https://www.abctales.com/story/markashley/memory

 

 

 

There were excellent stories too:

 

Calling All Angels, by Caldwell

A look at how artists and musicians are able to record and perform songs that are entertaining for the listener without masking the intimate pain and vulnerability that provided the inspiration to write them.

https://www.abctales.com/story/caldwell/calling-all-angels

 

Things You Keep, by VeraClark

A funny, sad and exhilarating journey from public bar to motherhood, surviving an encounter with Lesley Garrett en route. 

https://www.abctales.com/story/veraclark/things-you-keep

 

The Discharge, by sean mcnulty

Just when we thought that the ongoing story of The Martlet had everything, a fight breaks out. Whatever next? Always gripping and even more entertaining than Police Academy. 

https://www.abctales.com/story/sean-mcnulty/discharge

 

 

Poem of the Month

Afterwards, by Makis

Thought-provoking words that examine the existence or non-existence of an afterlife, and what has been left behind to occupy our minds with memories of those who have left us. 

https://www.abctales.com/story/makis/afterwards

 

Story of the Month

Three sips of foaming wine, by rask_balavoine

Such dramatic imagery prompted by one glass of wine takes us to exotic distant places in bygone times. We should remember to read poetry responsibly, to savour it and enjoy it, as I have done with this.

https://www.abctales.com/story/raskbalavoine/three-sips-foaming-wine