CURRENT ACTIVITY

Tender is an ongoing book project and a collection of tender memories provided by anonymous contributors. Only the tender experience is shared. These remembrances can appear as a story, a poem or even a few sentences. Most contributions are short, no more than 200 words.

All pieces are collected and edited by the writer Christian Martius. Originally, I intended to write a fictional story on the subject of tenderness but found other people’s real experiences far more interesting.

Tender is both a verb and an adjective, meaning to offer and present something and to show gentleness, kindness and affection. If you would like to share your tender experience contact: tendercmartius@gmail.com

Photography

Short Story (Audio)

Poetry

Soldiers After the Reign

There’s millions of people out there,

Wrapped in armour that’s calcified,

And merged with the skin.

It works very well, thank you.

Fashioned by a King or Queen,

Who no longer rule in person.

In memory, instead.

For the battles may stop,

But the campaign is never over,

At least, for the soldiers after the reign.

But one day a single metal plate will fall off,

And leave a patch of exposed flesh,

Unafraid of the elements,

Aching for the remembrance of air.

That leads to a great unveiling,

You hope.

Because if not, we are just metal machines,

That no longer have any use.

And that would be a waste.

(June 2024)

YES

It’s hard to come from a place of yes,

When most of what is experienced is no.

The smallness.

Death in all things.

The mundanity of it all.

But yes exists,

And I hope you and I are made of it.

(May 2024)

All 9 episodes of the Mercifully Short Stories Podcast can be found on YouTube @mercifullyshortstories