Doug Hodges

Passages: Stories and a Baker's Dozen Poems Doug Hodges

Publisher Marketing: Like four of my previous books, these are collected tales of the Spirits. These stories are shared with me by the Spirits to be, in turn, shared with any and all. Other than being short stories, they have no framework, no rack upon which to hang a hat. They are inter-dimensional, timeless, real and unreal. They cross the boundaries of myth, religion, history, and space. Some may seem simplistic, others convoluted; all are recorded as given to me. All are for the reader's entertainment. If more is gained ... and judging by many responses, this is the case ... then, I feel, that is why they were given to me and why said reader is reading them. I think, and I hope others agree, that they can be very funny. Again, as in the previous volumes, Raven and Coyote, more often than not, take the lead; however, there are some others, herein, lending their voice. In the back of the book, a baker's dozen poems appear. I usually shy from mixing prose and poetry yet I noticed a number of the stores dealt with music and, in any event, I was led to include the poems. As in my previous books, save the first one, I have tried to illustrate the way with, what I think are, pertinent images. The world of these tales is miraculous, mysterious, wonderful, surprising, shocking, and some times confusing. It is a world that I have grown fond of and forget it may seem strange to the new reader. I suggest one just jumps in. All the stores from all the volumes stand on their own. If the reader enjoys this particular book, I recommend the others. Within, there is a story, a word, an image for everyone.