#xe sands

[itticklesme]

(Xe Sands)

[spokenrealms]

Anticipating Temptation

Char Brown is overweight and underappreciated. But at least she has a boyfriend and a job she enjoys.

Wait, scratch that. He just broke up with her. Over text. And told her to lose weight.

Overly self-conscious about herself and a classic introvert, Char isn’t sure what she’s got going for her anymore.

But Darryl Drummond sure does, and he’s insistent that she’s worth more than she thinks. The…

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[audiofilemagazine-blog]

“Two men pass  without a glance my way, the third makes very sure I feel his gaze.  No longer do I covet light.

I wish men would decide if women are heavenly angels on high, or earthbound sculptures for their gardens.

But either way we’re beauty for consumption.”

Blood Water Paint is a coming-of-age novel about the Italian painter Artemisia Gentileshi, written by Joy McCullough and read by Xe Sands. Artemisia spends her days learning her father’s painting trade and developing her own styles as a painter, until she is raped by her tutor. Xe’s extraordinary performance throughout this painful yet victorious story shouldn’t be missed. 

[goingpublicaudio]

(Contributed by Xe Sands)

GOING PUBLIC 10.14.16 - "Excision," by kayemnic Recorded with permission of the author Original found here: www.kayemnic.com/?p=299

Wow. This piece. I must have read it years back. And at the time, it slid right through me. Cool piece, but not for me, not then. But life has a funny way of bring things back around just as you're ready for them, just as you need them.

This piece. A "better you." All you have to do is peel it all away, right? Cut down to the bone, strip off the old, make way for the new. But what happens when you step out of that old skin, and (at least initially) find that there is nothing left? What indeed.

I have this perfect image of the last scene...the bed, the picture - no obstructions. Nothing there at all.

Image credit: Elena Getman (flikr) www.instagram.com/alenagetman_/ CC BY-ND 2.0

[goingpublicaudio]

Contributed by Xe Sands, who writes...

GOING PUBLIC 6.10.16 - "Crepuscule," by e e cummings from Eight Harvard Poets

You know, I really shouldn't attempt to record Cummings' poetry...it's such a visual experience, but I just couldn't help myself. Most of his work isn't available for GP use, so finding one creating a temptation I couldn't resist.

Here is the original text...

I will wade out

till my thighs are steeped in burn-

ing flowers I will take the sun in my mouth and leap into the ripe air Alive with closed eyes to dash against darkness in the sleeping curves of my body Shall enter fingers of smooth mastery with chasteness of sea-girls Will I complete the mystery of my flesh I will rise After a thousand years lipping flowers And set my teeth in the silver of the moon

[goingpublicaudio]

Contributed by Xe Sands, who writes...

Reminds me of Whitman's commentary...that all the fame and renown means exactly nothing without actual substance in your life aside from that superficial layer placed on you (temporarily, usually) by others.

[goingpublicaudio]

Contributed by Xe Sands, who writes...

If we have a gift, are we obligated to give it?

[goingpublicaudio]

Contributed by Xe Sands, who writes...

Sometimes I close my eyes and imagine I'm standing on a hilltop, overlooking an incredible place, boring and beautiful and still and...perfect. And there is no conflict, or pain or anger...or miscommunication. We are simply known to each other, purely, cleanly, with no filters or misperceptions or internal suitcases stuffed with unflattering clothes. And when I say "This," and you say, "That," we mean only those things, and not "The Other" that was never even said but is sometimes heard.

And the pain is remote...almost not ours. And the anger has been carried away with our unspoken words by the wind.

Image credit: Brian Tomlinson www.bt-photography.co.uk/ CC BY 2.0