spiders 'n snakes is the opening chronicle in the saga, Madman Chronicles: The Warrior. Dragon riders gather to bury the dead at the culmination of a five-year apocalyptic world war. And the dead are many. They fill vehicles and buildings in every stage of decomposition. They're steam-shoveled into piles, dumped into manmade canals then set on fire. War refuses to stop, driven by monsters from the top. Wulf, Leader of Lords of the Dragon, an armed and mounted society of warriors, descends into the earth on a mission to discover a place to take his people, where they might enjoy life with...

Basil is in love with Emily before they meet in person. He accepts the doubtful task of tutoring Hedgeny, the university's star athlete, when he learns Emily will be co-tutor. The three are young, naive, and full of life. They click and are soon known on campus as The Mighty Three. Hedgeny is finally meeting academic grade requirements, much to the relief of school administrators. Just as important, his behavior improves. Though still active in local bars and campus parties, he has ceased to run riot. Basil and Emily enjoy his notoriety, bask in the penumbra of his star-status glow. One...

Michael Annis (Senior editor of Howling Dog Press): "I published the entire Quodlibet in the OMEGA literary magazine online series. It is an amazing, gargantuan poem filled with some of the toughest writing you will come across. Profound, harrowing cantos of dark beauty, billowing with flames of passion, remorse, grace, despair and defiance. The howl of the WordWulf is terrifying to behold: terrifying with magnificence and truth." I would paint with words, soft & violent colors stabbing, caressing did I mention stardust on the eyes of expectant children webs of parenthood fire night, embers...