Author Archives: Robert K Stephen (CSW)

RKS 2026 ONTARIO WINE: Drea’s 2022 Small Batch Cabernet Franc

Aroma: One senses a firm and tight wine lacking fruit effusiveness. Pardon any reference to Gogol’s short story “The Nose” but you need to deeply nose about to detect black cherry, black currant, strawberry jam and those Peek Freen cookies with a blob of red goo in the centre. Overshadowed by oak, perhaps too muchContinue reading “RKS 2026 ONTARIO WINE: Drea’s 2022 Small Batch Cabernet Franc”

RKS Poetry Anthology: “The eternal sandbox”

The eternal sandbox Young and innocent Time consuming frivolity Equality of youth Shattered The dinky toyed hours Pen and suits Boots and hands A mild game struggle Children versus children Life kept on that harmless level Fun and simple Lost and baffled in gaming politeness Forgetting who the real enemies are Robert K. Stephen

RKS Literature: “Trimalchio’s Feast”: Circumcision and Snoring in Ancient Rome (Petronious)

“He’s never had any real training. I just had him taught by sending him along to peddlers on the street corner. There’s no one equal to him if he wants to imitate mule-drivers or hawkers. He’s terribly clever, really. He’s a cobbler, a cook, a confectioner-a man that can turn his head to anything. ButContinue reading “RKS Literature: “Trimalchio’s Feast”: Circumcision and Snoring in Ancient Rome (Petronious)”

RKS Literature: The Torment of Holding Yourself In: “Trimalchio’s Feast” (Petronious)

“Excuse me, dear people, my inside has not been answering the call for several days now. The doctors are puzzled. But some pomegranate rind in water and resin in vinegar has dome me good. But I hope now it will be back in good behaviour. Otherwise my stomach rumbles like a bull. So if anyContinue reading “RKS Literature: The Torment of Holding Yourself In: “Trimalchio’s Feast” (Petronious)”

RKS Poetry Anthology: “Go west young man!”

Go west young man! Gasping Retching Tumble rivers of foamy beer and purplish macaroni chunks Spilling into the pavement Steaming in the winter’s frigidity While its stumbling moaning creator Wends homeward to bed and Ready to leap like a tiger upon its unprepared toilers Tomorrow Robert K. Stephen

RKS Poetry Anthology: “Monday (non retired version)”

Monday (non retired version) I lie in fear Waiting Praying Monday morning is but an illusion Camouflaged amongst herds of angry zebra Who lay traps Of joyful Fridays To taunt its believers Robert K. Stephen

RKS Poetry Anthology: “In the interests of productive behaviour”

In the interests of productive behaviour Motivation Goals Group dynamics Profit sharing (for a selective few) Job enrichment Global inclusion Endless performance appraisals Team building All supposedly (by the senior management team) tasty tidbits for the rank and file Bribery for the belligerent Soothed with technocratic brew Psychological trickery Blessed in the holy catacombs ofContinue reading “RKS Poetry Anthology: “In the interests of productive behaviour””

RKS Literature: “Trimalchio’s Feast”: Trimalchio’s Wife A Magpie with a Rough Tongue! (Petronious)

“Who was the woman running around this place? ‘Trimalchio’s wife’ he told me, ‘Fortunata is her name and she counts her money by the sackful. And before, before what was she? You’ll pardon me for saying so, but you wouldn’t have touched a bit of bread from her hand. Nowadays-and who knows how or why-Continue reading “RKS Literature: “Trimalchio’s Feast”: Trimalchio’s Wife A Magpie with a Rough Tongue! (Petronious)”

RKS Literature: “Trimalchio’s Feast” : What’s on the Menu (Petronious)

“After our applause the next course was brought in. Actually it was not as grand as we expected, but it was so novel that everyone stared. It was a deep circular tray with the twelve signs of the Zodiac arranged around the edge. Over each of them the chef had placed some appropriate dainty suggestedContinue reading “RKS Literature: “Trimalchio’s Feast” : What’s on the Menu (Petronious)”