World War II ended 65 years ago, and as it ended a difficult and tumultuous period in history also came to an end. There were countless acts of bravery, countless moments of courage and sacrifice, but there is no reason to hope or expect that war is a necessary or good thing because it might bring out strong qualities in people. At the end of that war the Allies discovered a terrible event that was being lived out in Germany and occupied states. That event was the premeditated genocide of a people, placed in camps and systematically murdered.

Could anyone say that madness is it's own reward? Almost evryone has felt, at one time or another, that the world seems so crazy it takes someone just as nuts to want to be a part of it. Perhaps that's the purpose of imagination. It's a way to know what is actually true. In this story, a young man goes over the edge. Maybe there's something useful to pull out of his journey down.

Argument by Design
By H.M. Cooper

RUINS
H.M. Cooper

Politics in the Classroom

Sam is on a roll. He's a part-time lecturer in English at a small community college in Saskatchewan and he's trying to explain the meaning of patriarchy and matriarchy to his students. They are confused. They look at each other and make funny faces, like someone had just passed gas in class. Sam speaks. This is what he says:

The short stories in this section range in style and theme.
"The Wrong Song" is about winter in Winipeg. It must be one of the coldest spots in the world but it shows a suprisingly warm heart.
"Ruins" takes place in Saskatchewan, Canada. I find Saskatchewan very romantic...I don't know why. This is a story about hope, a state of mind not always easy to achieve.
More short stories will follow. Looking forward to your comments!