Reflections: A compilation of journals and poetry by Aaron Ryan

By Aaron Ryan

A compilation of journals and poetry by bestselling author Aaron Ryan, author of the "Dissonance" sci-fi alien invasion trilogy. 44 original works created beginning in 1993 and spanning thirty years of artistry. Contains the epic "Ode to Tolkien", as well as "Slipping down to the Dreamworld," "Hook," "Who?", "Blanket," "Trials," "Earthblood," and many others.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Aaron Ryan
• Release date: May 1, 2024
• ISBN: 9798990661141

Aaron Ryan

  About Aaron Ryan, Author Aaron Ryan lives in Washington with his wife and two sons, along with Macy the dog, Winston the cat, and Merry & Pippin, the finches. He is the author of the "Dissonance" quadrilogy, the sci-fi thriller "Forecast," several books on voiceover business penned under a former stage name, as well as a previous fictional novel, "The Omega Room." When he was in second grade, he was tasked with writing a creative assignment: a fictional book.  And thus, "The Electric Boy" was born: a simple novella full of intrigue, fantasy, and 7-year-old wits that electrified Aaron's desire to write.  From that point forward, Aaron evolved into a creative soul that desired to create. He enjoys the arts, media, music, performing, poetry, and being a daddy.  In his lifetime he has been an author, voiceover artist, wedding videographer, stage performer, musician, producer, rock/pop artist, executive assistant, service manager, paperboy, CSR, poet, tech support, worship leader, and more.  The diversity of his life experiences gives him a unique approach to business, life, ministry, faith, and entertainment. Aaron's favorite author by far is J.R.R. Tolkien, but he also enjoys Suzanne Collins, James S.A. Corey, Marie Lu, Madeleine L'Engle, C.S. Lewis, and Stephen King. Aaron has always had a passion for storytelling. Visit his website at www.authoraaronryan.com or the Dissonance trilogy website at www.dissonancetheseries.com

Book preview

reflections

a compilation of journals and poetry

by aaron ryan

© 2024 Aaron Ryan & CM LLC. U.S. Copyright Registration # TXu002429012. All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized duplication or copying prohibited by law.  The scanning, uploading, and distribution of this book via the Internet or via any other means without the express written permission of the publisher or copyright holder is illegal and punishable by law.  Please purchase only authorized print or electronic versions and do not participate in or encourage electronic piracy of copyrighted materials.

Published in 2024, Edition 1.

ISBN # 9798990661158.

Edited by CM LLC.  Published independently.

For Sweeps, Bren & AJ:

my true loves.

You’ve helped me to survive.

blanket

is who i am what i have become?

it’s lonely around people

and i enjoy the company of solace and silence

they cheer me

and i entertain their delight

for they know me

whereas others only see

what i have become

have i transgressed so

as to be a noun instead of a person?

monster, they say

demon, they chant

guilty, they indict

yet i am more than a noun – i am a known

my conscience convicts me

at the least,

silence will never disrupt my inner noise

and solace is a warm blanket

i can trust in these,

i don’t feel the stares,

i don’t hear the sneers

from behind a blanket

in here, i remain a known,

and not a noun

in here, i don’t just exist

i live

in the protection of shelter

context

life is not joy without pain

sunshine does not radiate without rain

glitter is not gold without light

peace is not gained without fight

laughter won't carry without tears

conquests are in vain without fears

gladness comes ne'er without strife

and death holds no weight without life

a dirge cannot speak before flutes

a tree never blossoms without roots

day cannot be without night

and kiss is forever married to bite.

summer is meaningless without frost

to be found is victory o'er being lost

a respite means naught without surge

and heaven quietly receives after a dirge...

existence never celebrates without ending

strength isn't strength without bending

evil cannot be without good

do never happens unless would.

blessings go thankless without poverty

run-of-the-mill is not proven without novelty.

victory stares down all resistance

birthing new life from simple existence...

hooded

hooded

i shall remain

‘tis safe as thus

the stares of mine enemies

ricochet off my cloak

futile one would say

to deflect the scrutiny

but in the foul reek of my doing

i will so contain myself

with silence to nurse me

jekyll surrendered to hyde

and so i must hyde myself

in this blanket of secrecy

briskly pace i past these flowers

but i dursn’t examine them

lest they wilteth

causing me to retreat from hence

back into the cloak which so shieldeth me

from disappointment

truly i could partake of the sky

tis’ day, some say, but i accept it not

were i to surrender to trust,

certainly the clouds will come

and overwhelm my expectation once more

and so, to be safe,

hooded

i shall remain.

‘tis safe as thus.

hook

it was my bane

attractive and repulsive to me

neither side the victor

i wanted