Brotherhood

 Dear Listeners,

Written in a day three months ago, this tale has nevertheless taken me a long time to get around to recording. I poured a lot into it, and maybe I'm more attached to it than I should be, and perhaps that's why I've sat on it so long. Nevertheless, I am glad to bring it to you this April! 

This tale begins with a stowaway discovered on a sailing vessel somewhere in the middle of the Atlantic, and the consternation her arrival causes among the crew, the passengers ... well, it all plays out strangely, and I hope it stirs you. If you have ever had the feeling that something enormous was hiding in plain sight, you may find something that speaks to that, or any number of other threads that seem to have been dominating my imagination lately.

I was, in fact, given the first bare 500 words with no context or explanation by a fellow writer, other than a challenge to do something with it. I found very quickly that here was a fitting vessel for quite a lot of the blocked up stuff swirling in my head, and my pen scribbled until it was done. I will ever be grateful to Bobbie Allen for this unlocking. Please take a look at her work, and maybe you'll get inspired too!

I won't say too much more, except to wish Sweet dreams to you and all who are dear to you,

Seymour

Direct download link

The Tree Who Walked

 

 

Dear listener,

Let me retell to you a strange tale I heard from someone who themselves heard it from one of the characters in it. It has come a long way from the distant glen where it began, and perhaps it has been a little embellished here and there. But if you ever felt that some trees are more than they seem, then I think you will not find it hard to believe this story.

And I wonder if, when it is done, you will feel differently about wandering or rootedness and how they play through our lives, for it has certainly made me think about such things a great deal.

May your dreams be ever sweet!

Seymour

Pillow Pillar Portals

 

Dear Listener,

Welcome to episode 60! This story takes a playful turn as we meet the new kid at school who, at first, seems a bit odd—but things are about to get a whole lot stranger. As you drift off tonight, I hope this tale whisks you away to another world. And who knows, perhaps by morning, you'll feel an irresistible urge to build a den under your desk.

This episode is accompanied by a beautiful soundtrack from Jay Kishor’s album Stories from my Grandfather’s Village, which you can find on Magnatune.

As always, you can download the episode directly here. Don't forget, Borders of Sleep is available on most podcast platforms, including Apple Podcasts, though sadly, not on YouTube or Spotify.

This episode grew from a mix of playful word games and musings on childhood memories. After a scrappy summer filled with fatigue, jobbing contract work, and the weight of the world’s events, it’s been a relief to rediscover some creative momentum. In all of this, a wise inner voice has been reminding me that the way forward has a lot to do with one simple thing: playfulness.

If you'd like (and are able) to give me a hand up with a donation, please take a peek at my Support and Donations page. 

I hope you enjoy the story and that it brings a little lightness to your world.

Until next time, thank you for listening, and wishing you sweet dreams,  

Seymour

The Cicada Laundrette

 

 Dear Listener,

Night time is the time to visit the Cicada Laundrette and meet all kinds of critter characters. Are you ready to enter the twilight world of washing machines and soap suds under the watchful eye of Mr. Aardvark.

I hope that you enjoy this not-very-serious episode. I hope it proves to you that even someplace as commonplace as a laundrette can be rather magical and exciting. I dedicate it to all who are overwhelmed with washing, to all the tireless employees who keep their places open, and all the night owls who haunt their local washery when it's the only time they can do their laundry.

Full disclosure: if you are wondering where I got a picture of an aardvark in a launderette from, I got some help from DALL-E on this occasion.

You may download the MP3 directly here. Don't forget to swing by the Facebook page for a chat or drop me a line if you feel like getting in touch.

Thank you for listening!

Sweet dreams,

Seymour