The Instant Bard

By Martin L. Shoemaker Once the toucan was the favored bird of the king. He sang sweetly every daybreak, and mournfully in the evening. He perched on the king’s shoulder during the day, whispering advice.  Sometimes the king… Read More

(With apologies to Robert Frost) By Martin L. Shoemaker Two roads diverged in a gray, dying wood. And knowing I dare not travel each, For one led to my doom, and that I would Shun if that truth… Read More

By Martin L. Shoemaker John Horner sat at his table and poured himself a double of Jameson’s. He could already feel it was going to be one of those nights. He was ready to get thoroughly drunk and… Read More

By Martin L. Shoemaker Looking out into the black void of space, she felt her muscles tense as she readied for the long leap. She was ready for this, had trained for this, and still she clung to… Read More

By Martin L. Shoemaker Exactly as recorded at the Niles Renaissance Faire, May 18, 2025. Look for a cleaned-up version soon. This is the Instant Bard. Yep, happy to have you join me. I’m getting started in about… Read More

No one alive remembers Winnifred’s youth–not even her! It is said that she’s no older than the mountains. She must be younger than that, they admit, but how much so? No one has an answer. Winnifred has lived… Read More

Ferdinand the First, King of the Principality of Ferdiland, was a good king–as kings go. He was a kind man, to the degree that his responsibilities allowed. He was a fair and just king, or at least that… Read More