Sallow and weary, the landscape’s fresh, vibrant glaze became worn and cracked, like ancient pottery, as the bleached and brittle foliage cried out in despair.  August’s dog days were upon us, and the relentless heat and lack of consistent moisture wreaked havoc on every living thing as if nature was…

  Darkness slithered in like an unctuous serpent, enigmatic, noxious and malevolent.  It quickly suffocated the light and all that was good and decent.  Evil could be done in the shadows.  Trickery and thievery thrived there.   In honor of Halloween, and all things cryptic, dark, and wicked, I offer you…