FanStory.com - Dedicated to Mike by lyenochka

Where have you gone Fleedleflump Beeblemooer? You belly-button-missing creation of Michael Bell - why have you gone missing? Mike was too young to go. It’s not fair. Poetry laced with enigmatic verbiage poured out of him even while he was orchestrating multiple plotlines of books in fantasy and science fiction. The silence is deafening.

I still see the fearless Rozlyn shaking her dirks. Little John, the gobbit, is working on unlocking a mystery hidden in Feedleflump’s latest books. And Mike Radshaw rises victorious after confronting the evils between universes. No, Fleedleflump lives within the covers of Mike’s books. And we have the privilege of reading Mike’s works even though he has left this earth. But we miss him.

For Fleedleflump - a Constanza Poem

I’ve only got to know this year
A writer gifted with such skill
His works and poetry did thrill

This man whose ship of words can steer
Us into unknown worlds and roles
Which help us peer right into souls

Creating realms with cheers and fears
With metaphysical reviews
He melds with modern humor cues

But now we grieve and shed a tear
He’s physically left this Earth
We value more his wordsmith’s worth

Today in body he’s not here
The characters he made remain
And that in part will ease our pain

Author Notes Thanks to Gloria for alerting me to Naomi Bell's post on Mike's profile page.

Chapter 3
On Death

By lyenochka

Sometimes
you are like a kick in the gut.
You're never welcome,
and anyway,
who do you think you are?
Who's given you the right
to snatch away
a child,
a parent,
a virtuous life?
I still rant,
I'm mad at you
You shouldn't have.
I know we all were given
our allotted time.
Still, it feels unfair.
Why do you steal our dreams,
our plans, our futures?
You owe me
at least
an explanation,
Please, grant me that.
I feel your icy hand on my shoulder,
your putrid breath in my ear.
'Do not ask.'
But you won't silence me.
I'll never stop believing,
I won't blame God
for what you do.
You are to blame,
You, ghastly presence.
Stay away from those I love.
Don't come near them
Till their hair is white
Their skin wrinkled
And their souls
At peace.

Author Notes I've already posted this poem. You don't need to review it. I just wanted to add it to the book of tributes that other Fanstorians are writing for Mike.
Unfortunately the formatting is a mess.

Chapter 4
Weaver of Words

By lyenochka

Fleedleflump, that weaver of words--

threads of interlacing plots stirred

imaginations enraptured

with ev'ry creation offered.

A master poet unsurpassed,

his intricate designs will last

entwining feeling and deep thought

plying the craft he sagely wrought;

beautiful tapestry complete

our delight was his great reward

for words upon the page he poured

works held dear knowing ne'er to meet.

Your giving spirit will be missed--

for wit and humor fantastic

with encouragement to assist

now woven into our fabric.

Fleedleflump, that weaver of words,

a master poet unsurpassed--

beautiful tapestry complete.

Your giving spirit will be missed.

Author Notes Mike recently wrote to me, "Just knowing that people are reading what I write is one of the greatest rewards."

Chapter 5
Moving atmospheres

By lyenochka

Mike's words could stir the atmosphere,
this wordsmith climbed those verbal mounts.
The language moved both friend and peer,
his prose now lost from earthbound founts.

His prowess bright as shining stars,
his poems flew us to camp Mars.
Perhaps he sails eternal seas,
and writes his tales his fans to please.

R.Owen 7/12/2022

Author Notes Mike was/is a special talent, some of us had the privilege of reading those fantastic stories he wrote. His stories/poetry were outstanding, his metaphor, and verbal expression were second to none. Not only did he leave an indelible scribal mark, but his uniqueness will be missed.

Farwell Mike, perhaps we will meet in those eternal haunts were literary giants meet for infinitys pleasure.

I will miss you Mike. Roy Owen

Rispetto
The rispetto is an Italian poetry form. It consists of two stanzas with 8 syllables per line, ( tetrameter) and two different Rhyme schemes, abab ccdd

Chapter 7
A River Flows

By lyenochka

A river flows with tears I shed
For those departed way too soon.
They left us with their words unsaid
Like leaves of trees the wind has strewn.

I think there is a worthy place~
Elysian Guilds for special friends
We’ve lost, and now are filled with grace.
It’s here the writers’ gift transcends.

No longer fanstorians here,
They write about the great unknown,
Enjoying their celestial sphere
In which the brightest light has shown.

With that in mind, they think of us
Although it’s very diff’rent now.
Within their world, it must be thus;
We’ll step aside and will avow…

To treasure memories they leave
So peace will reign, and hearts unite.
The river’s full, and I perceive
That each of us will be all right.

The sun will shine, the moon will glow,
Bestowing love to us below.

And so, in art, I find a core belief,
a perfect faith expressed in ev'ry leaf.

~From Mike's poem

"Artisanal Branches"

Author Notes -I've already posted this poem. You don't need to review it. I just wanted to add it to the book of tributes that other Fanstorians are writing for Mike.

-Artwork by cristinaMeade at pixabay.com

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