http://slow.writerscafe.org/Louis_McKraker The original writings of author Louis McKraker en-us Copyright 2026 WritersCafe.org 1775986485 WritersCafe.org RSS Generator 15 I turned and watched the jarslide across the floor and smack into the frame of my bedroom door.It did not break. That was arelief. Thank goodness.My heart, which had been given afalse-start, began to slow a little.I moved quickly and snatched upthe jar. When I turned back to .. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Louis_McKraker/2179134/ As I stared into the creature’sorange, glowing eyes, I felt a wave of sheer terror flow through me.Now I need to fight myself freeof its grip my brain said.I need to run! I need to hide!But I was too terrified to move. Regardlessof what my brain was trying to tell me... http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Louis_McKraker/2179132/ A second later I realized that itwas just an old woman. Tall as she was, dark as she was, she was still onlyhuman. She was as far as I could tell, at least.My pulse slowed as she greetedme, Marnie and Drew.She was, in fact, the owner ofthe store.“Good evening, young Sir.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Louis_McKraker/2179131/ My friends and I loved the ideaof the new magic shop that opened in our town last summer. Marnie, Drew andyours truly were among the first to go in the place.It’s called Chuck’sTricks-and-Treats. It’s the kind of shop that specializes mainly in magictrickery, but se.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Louis_McKraker/2179130/ Young Reader Fiction http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Louis_McKraker/2179129/ The kid was standing on thestoop, looking into the house. He was staring right at us through thetall windows that are on both sides of the front door.Polly cried out at the sight ofthe boy.Squire looked too frightened toever move again.Marcus and Taylor ca.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Louis_McKraker/2179095/ I stepped back from the window,dropping my toothbrush to the floor. Normal the very idea of mytoothbrush hitting the floor would have been enough to freak me out.This was much worse, though.My pulse sped up and my heartthumped in my chest like it was striking a .. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Louis_McKraker/2179094/ The next day, I woke a fewminutes before ten o’clock in the morning. I lay in bed for a fewminutes, just soaking in the morning sun and thinking about how thenight before had played out for us.Our circle had crossed into newbounds. We were all somehow differ.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Louis_McKraker/2179093/ When the figure came fully intothe light I could see that it was only my father.“What are you still doing upthis late, Cameron?” he asked sternly�"still keeping his voicelow, as not to wake Mom.“I just wanted to�"”.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Louis_McKraker/2179091/ We scrambled beyond the tree lineand out of the woods. We didn’t stop running when we came to theothers�"and they started running after us.We scattered to our bikes. Theother three pranksters had parked theirs not far from where Polly andI parked.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Louis_McKraker/2179090/ After I came to my senses and sawthat it was only a large cloud of ground fog, and not some spirittrying to consume Polly.The wind picked up again and mostof the fog that I saw as a terrible foe was moved someplace else, butI was still jittery for a couple of minu.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Louis_McKraker/2179089/ The creature was notclawing at the back of hishead.It was Nick.He was pulling a hideous mask offof his face. He was still laughing hysterically.Marcus, Squire and Nick hadscared the pants off of us with a few masks.Nick and Marcus were both out ofthe.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Louis_McKraker/2179088/ It was only Polly. She had beentracking closely and quietly behind me in the night.“Why are you so jumpy?” sheasked. “If you’re that scared, we should just go back home.”“I’m not scared,” I assuredher, my heart sti.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Louis_McKraker/2179087/ “I’m notdoing it, Cameron!” Polly protested.Everyone but the two of us hadleft.The birthday party was over, thecake was almost gone, the ice-cream was entirely gone, and we werelying parallel on my front lawn�"our hands behind our.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Louis_McKraker/2179085/ I knew as well as any kid in townnot to mess around in the woods near the old playground. TheForbidden Playground, as we all called it.On the night of my twelfthbirthday, however, my friend Polly and I defied this rule.We never expected the horror wewould enco.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Louis_McKraker/2179084/ Young Reader Fiction http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Louis_McKraker/2179083/ An older poem from 2007. Enjoy. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Louis_McKraker/2090538/ Let us just sayI came to know theshapes of dragonsfrom an early age.Even in that day,I could spot avicious hell-breather comingfrom a mile away.Some of them wouldcome and go.Some of them wouldcome to stay.Some of them couldbe laid low.Others, h.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Louis_McKraker/2088922/ The ghost of Mati Hariwhispers how  The country she soloved shot her down.Judging from the voiceon the wind,  She now seeks blood inthe spirit of revenge.She looked her accusersdead in their eyes,  But neither left norright would empat.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Louis_McKraker/2088306/            Inmemory of my mother...The first year is theworst year,   Orso I'm told, Byboth young and old,  For any who have lost afriend so dear &nbsp.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Louis_McKraker/2088297/ Someday,  Perhaps,When angels lay dead inHeaven   And the forest beastsgrant us our daily bread; And   With that All civilizationthinks less of their brethren  --Much less, infact--than garments of thread; .. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Louis_McKraker/2088296/ Maybe I can't rememberhow to feelAs human as I used to.But I fully rememberhow love feels,As it is something Imuse to.It will take all theenergy you've stirred upJust for me to be ableto say: Goodbye.But it is somethingthat I am sure of.So sorry .. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Louis_McKraker/2088295/ Iwas bewildered upon waking from a dream;Broughtback by a roll of thunder,Froma dream that was apparently not mine to keep.Iwas bitter upon waking, as I thought the dreamWasto belong properly to the poet, underWhichever of reality's shr.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Louis_McKraker/2088278/ 2014 http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Louis_McKraker/2088273/ 2007 http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Louis_McKraker/2088272/    I.Theerroneous way some people smile, Canmake me sick to my stomach; Andleave my mouth tasting of bile. Theway they laugh and they deceive, Canlead my tongue to cynical rot; Andbring my mannerism to its knees. .. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Louis_McKraker/2088271/ Fearfulnow of the world outside, Iadmit here how I have lied. Ileft a mess Wherevirtue dwelt. Iwould have been spared countless pains, Iftruthful to myself had I remained. ButI digress-- It’sall I.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Louis_McKraker/2088269/ Poetry & Prose Soberly Composed By A Rover Poet. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Louis_McKraker/2088263/ (2008) http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Louis_McKraker/2075123/ (2018 Lineville, Alabama) http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Louis_McKraker/2074544/ 2013 http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Louis_McKraker/2074386/ 2008 http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Louis_McKraker/2074382/ Icome from the south― Farbelow Heaven's gate― Withexcursions sewn to my mouth, Andan unseen force setting my pace― Anascent force without name or face― Isaw devils abound― Thereare.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Louis_McKraker/2074378/ NOTEItwas known that, throughout most of his adult life,SirWinston Churchill suffered with arbitrary bouts of depression.Hecoined his malady "black dog." This is a tribute to the manand the legend.   I.Theentity at my d.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Louis_McKraker/2074375/ 2011 http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Louis_McKraker/2074373/ 2012 http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Louis_McKraker/2074372/ (2012 Lincoln, Alabama) http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Louis_McKraker/1999280/ @page { margin: 0.79in } p { margin-bottom: 0.08in; direction: ltr; color: #000000; orphans: 0; widows: 0 } p.western { font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; so-language: en-US } p.cjk { font-family: "SimSun"; font-size: 12pt; so-language: zh-CN } p.ctl { fon.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Louis_McKraker/1998582/ (2011 Ashland, Alabama) http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Louis_McKraker/1998576/ 2017 http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Louis_McKraker/1992460/ @page { margin: 0.79in } p { margin-bottom: 0.08in; direction: ltr; color: #000000; orphans: 0; widows: 0 } p.western { font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; so-language: en-US } p.cjk { font-family: "SimSun"; font-size: 12pt; so-language: zh-CN } p.ctl { fon.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Louis_McKraker/1992459/ For my mother... Rest in peace, as I do now. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Louis_McKraker/1992432/