51 Comments
User's avatar
Kenneth Mills's avatar

Wild re-purpose. Thanks.

Expand full comment
Sharron Bassano's avatar

En dank je wel, mijn freund,

Expand full comment
Nathan Slake's avatar

"...but in all the time of talking, their actions have not been sound. They foster chaos on this planet." -- Sadly, that is all too true indeed. Far too much chaos on this planet, and we know well where a lot of that has come from.

Well crafted and well stated, Sharron!

Expand full comment
Sharron Bassano's avatar

Thank you, Nathan. I am thinking my story could be about any planet with humans? I thought I would leave it nebulous as "world" and "planet" and not mention Earth.

Expand full comment
Nathan Slake's avatar

I like it like that, and my brain was happy to accept it as such, but then also figured it very much applied this here here planet too ;)

Expand full comment
Mark Starlin's avatar

“Heavy roar…” That’s all I got. 😉

Expand full comment
Sharron Bassano's avatar

Ha ha ha! It is enough, Mark.

Expand full comment
J. Curtis's avatar

I love this so much. It’s so quiet, almost unassuming but with a solid punch to the gut. Indeed, men talk too much.

Expand full comment
Sharron Bassano's avatar

Maybe the talk is harmless. The hard-wired aggression of a handful of men, maybe not so much.

Expand full comment
just mud by Ron's avatar

I want to comment but the aliens won't let me! A great post, Sharron!

Expand full comment
Sharron Bassano's avatar

So ... what is happening up there in The Light, I wonder?

Expand full comment
just mud by Ron's avatar

I’m thinking, more listening!

Expand full comment
Kate Henry's avatar

My o My o Sharron!! What a fine setup... and THEN.... that gorgeous man in the pic!! You could make me faint!! Gasp. Snap out of it Kate. ...but but but I reeeeeeeally like the one I have. )))) He's like that already. Ummmmm, do you suppose..... ? When my thoughts were "irrelevant", and what I thought was beautiful (still do) was called "ugly", I traded for this one 30 years ago. Maybe they take a few at a time.

Expand full comment
Sharron Bassano's avatar

Call me crazy, but I do believe they are among us...

Expand full comment
T. D. Wolf's avatar

O, wonder!

How many goodly creatures are there here!

How beauteous mankind is! O brave new world,

That has such people in't!

Expand full comment
Sharron Bassano's avatar

"All torment, trouble, wonder, and amazement Inhabits here. Some heavenly power guide us Out of this fearful country! " ( one can dream...)

Expand full comment
Bonita Mugnani's avatar

We've been talking. Ours haven't listened. Love this new species of man. Do they grow bigger ears connected to th their bigger hearts? Awesome, Sharron!

Expand full comment
Sharron Bassano's avatar

I saw the video of you reading at the bookshop! You were adorable! Hooray for you!

Expand full comment
Bonita Mugnani's avatar

Thank You! It was fun!

Expand full comment
James Ron's avatar

Very nice, Sharron! “Or … is it us, the women, that they want?” - I may be mistaken but I think this is it though.👀

Expand full comment
Sharron Bassano's avatar

Curious to know what they are doing with the men they abducted? A bit of reprogramming, maybe...

Expand full comment
Wade Terry's avatar

If only young men would hear this story and learn to live it. Your story is an illustration of a re-wakening of energy in women for their rights and freedom which I believe was sparked by the reversal of Roe v Wade. Current movies, articles, books are speaking out angrily about the patriarchy. Yours is a very positive message of the bliss and reward of equality. Well done.

Expand full comment
Sharron Bassano's avatar

Thank you Wade. I little bit of fantasy here, if you ask me, but you may be on to something. We shall see what happens in November. As for me, I have renewed my passport, just in case the unthinkable happens...

Expand full comment
Heather Brebaugh's avatar

Love, love, love this Sharron.

Expand full comment
Sharron Bassano's avatar

Oh Heather! You are back. Thanks for reading this. Where is my Kindness Magnet? Still resting up? I understand -- we often need a break to rejuvenate and refocus. I hope you are finding joy out there in the world.

Expand full comment
Jim Cummings's avatar

We miss you Heather.

Expand full comment
Switter’s World's avatar

I spent a career listening to local women who were involved in our projects, because they were the ones who knew what was really happening. Sure, sometimes they laughed at me for reasons I’ll explain in a future post, but their laughs were irresistible.

I learned a lot about the world from those women.

Expand full comment
Sharron Bassano's avatar

As I suspected, you are one of..... um...them.

Expand full comment
Switter’s World's avatar

A dad who changes his toddler’s diaper on the front seat of the car in the middle of an African village where I become the laughing stock of every woman in the village who comes to watch the mzungu man do women’s work?

Yup, that’s me, I’m one of them!

Expand full comment
Janice Walton's avatar

Food for thought - that's for sure. I hear you about the passport.

Expand full comment
Sharron Bassano's avatar

I am ready to leave with 30 minutes notice.

Expand full comment
Jim Cummings's avatar

Oh Sharron, we men are good listeners. Now what was that you said?

Good one as usual, my friend.

Expand full comment
Sharron Bassano's avatar

You are one of the best listening men I know, Jim. -- always so generous of spirit. Thanks for your comments on the early draft of this short piece. I found them so helpful!

Expand full comment
Justin Deming's avatar

Loved this, Sharron!

Expand full comment
Sharron Bassano's avatar

Thank you, Justin! I count you near the very top of my list of listening men.

Expand full comment
Jim Sarasu's avatar

Such a nice little fantasy. Reminded me of Herland, a novel from 100 years ago about a man discovering an isolated country populated only by women, and admiring how peaceful it was. But the key was the women's ability to reproduce without men. Once sex enters into the picture, all hell breaks loose!

Expand full comment
Sharron Bassano's avatar

And why wouldn't it? I will look for this book.

Expand full comment