in discussion Per Page Discussion / Per page discussions » Pictures of Her True Son
Glorious. An enjoyably gritty piece of prose, the lines that describe the pulling of the birth dates I think are executed perfectly with this format.
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in discussion Per Page Discussion / Per page discussions » Pictures of Her True Son
in discussion Per Page Discussion / Per page discussions » Loving The Devil
I love seeing these short, sweet poems on this site, and you did a good job of writing it<3
I will mention though after reading a different comment that the opening explanation did feel like it took some value away… however that didn't make it any less fun to read:)
in discussion Forum Discussion / Ideas and Advice » Critic Request: A Bus Ride at the End of the World
I've had this idea in my head for a while and I decided to write it! This is one of my first times writing on this website and I'll probably need a lot of criticism, but for now I think it will do.
It's about, suprise, a man who rides a bus at the end of the world- a bus full of very strange people.
Here's the link:
http://wanderers-sandbox-2.wikidot.com/bus-ride-at-the-end-of-the-world
in discussion Site Announcements and Proposals / Policy and Staff Announcements » Staff Recruitment 2026
Hey Wanderers! We're looking to recruit some new members to the staff team. If you're interested, please fill out the form below. There's no real deadline at the moment: It will remain open until we have found the user(s) who we feel will be the best fit for the team. Please reach out to staff (leave a reply here or shoot me a DM) if you have any questions!
But the time flies, irretrievable.
in discussion Per Page Discussion / Per page discussions » Loving The Devil
i don't find this very effective at all, unfortunately. the text at the start explaining the meaning of the poem i'm about to read is unnecessary; the title gives me a totally sufficient starting point for interpretation, and expositing the intent at me so straightforwardly just railroads my reading. i can see being worried that people won't understand that they're reading a dialogue between two voices without that clarification, but i actually think that could be leaned into to the poem's benefit. currently, there's not much there that i find compelling — there's not much in the way of imagery or figurative language aside from the cliche association of flight/the sky with freedom/liberation, and i don't think the themes are much served by structuring the piece as a series of couplets with an aabb rhyme scheme — but heightening the ambiguity of who is speaking at any given point could, i think, enhance the notion of the devil as a somewhat ambiguous cultural figure who means varied things depending on the person. the opening exposition says that the devil can represent either evil or liberation depending on one's viewpoint, but the actual poem only presents us with one flat perspective. i think that making it less clear if the devil is functioning as a liberatory figure or something more sinister could enhance the piece significantly, especially if paired with stronger imagery and a structure that adds further ambiguity to how we approach and read the piece.
poet
in discussion Per Page Discussion / Per page discussions » The Wanderers Gallery
The quantity and quality of art is AMAZING ！
~ 龙曾在此 ~
in discussion Per Page Discussion / Per page discussions » Reflection
I like where this is going. not sure exactly what is going on, would appreciate some kind of exposition, but from what I can gather this is a pretty neat and unique thing I've read so far.
in discussion Per Page Discussion / Per page discussions » Loving The Devil
I am so happy you enjoyed! And yeah I wanted it to be something anyone can feel and interpret however they want.
in discussion Per Page Discussion / Per page discussions » Loving The Devil
I really liked this short poem, I love how it's just abstract enough to leave open to reader interpretation while still conveying a message. Great job!
in discussion Forum Discussion / Ideas and Advice » Crit request : The man who wanted to be a bird of paradise
short piece I wrote while waiting for my brain to accept working on "Where a king weaves its golden tapestry" again
I have exams right now though, so if i don't take your crit into account very quickly, you know why.
Some might recognize a line which I posted on the discord because it made me laugh a lot when I wrote it. I added a footnote, it's even worse.
anyway, link : here's the link ig, idk
"Do not sneer at the mad, their madness lasts longer than ours, that is all the difference."
in discussion Forum Discussion / Ideas and Advice » Crit request: I really want to go outside.
Hello!
My apologies, I was truly struggling with English at the time.
I recently rephrased most of the story so maybe you could tell me what you think. :)
Hi everyone,
Hello, my name is Arachne Sieden, (well you can simply call me Sieden) I’m excited to finally introduce myself as a new member of the Library. I’ve been exploring the site for a while now and have been consistently amazed by the creativity and atmosphere here.
A bit about me: A deep enthusiast of weird fiction & immersive world-building, as well as tales involving forgotten archives & liminal spaces. Outside of reading and writing, I also enjoy folklore research & atmospheric music.
I joined cuz I hope to contribute my ideas and learn from the incredible writers here. I’ve started browsing the Recommended Reading List and hope to start drafting some of my own work soon!
Looking forward to chatting with you all here. Thanks for having me!
Sieden
Life ultimately returns to void, only the aesthetics of EVOLUTION shall envelop all.
in discussion Per Page Discussion / Per page discussions » If you should find yourself ravaged by killer bees
yes. that!
-Styg
What is life if not the contrast between what has been and what will become?
in discussion Per Page Discussion / Per page discussions » If you should find yourself ravaged by killer bees
the running theme of indecision and inertia, of being constantly busy and division into parts while also not moving forward, as a hive of bees, all comes through in every stanza so, so strongly in so many fabulous and fun ways. not a single one passes by without a wry observation or metaphor to this effect, to the point where i wish i had the time to dig in and line-by-line the thematic elements that run through it that i notice. i would invite everyone to think of this on that level! even the entire structure of a poem is a rumination on this where the theme evolves and turns and spins in myriad ways but returns to bees and the almost-melancholy tonal shift of the last lines, where we had all of this development but in the end nothing changed, and the acceptance of this to know that living is its own means to an end. and there's a cold comfort in all of that, knowing that even if you wake up days or weeks or years and feel like youve spun your wheels and not gotten anywhere it's enough that you lived. it really is enough that you lived.
as a personal anecdote for about six years i was miserable, depressed, anxious, busying myself but making nothing that anyone would really identify as "forward progress," and engaging in a lot of self-destructive behavior. and i lived. living was enough and i am so glad i did and i really hope everyone with a hive of bees in their mind knows that they need to live too.
it's also a very funny poem which i appreciate.
anyway this one brought up a lot of personal feelings while simultaneously being a really excellent example of craft, structure, humor, balance, and technical skill. sort of exactly what i generally expect from your work, opening this portal to understanding oneself by reflecting on it while also being a skillful work of art. in case it was not obvious, i really enjoyed it!
in discussion Per Page Discussion / Per page discussions » ZG 9.01 - Sancta Requis et labor Diabolicus
unfortunately this is pretty rough. there are pretty serious grammatical errors that hamper it, a significant portion of it is difficult to decipher due to what i suspect are second-language misuses of words, and it lacks imagery. i love that you are looking to use verse to tell a story! forward motion through time in poetry is something that interests me a lot, makes me sit up when people do it. i just think this would shine with some more polish and intentionality! don't give up. you have done something of value simply by setting down with the intention to create something human
in discussion Forum Discussion / Ideas and Advice » Crtitic Request: The Bartender of Purgatory
Inside the bar is a beautiful, mahogany wood lining. There are spotless red velvet stools lining the bar itself, and around the room are tables paired with ornate chairs. Behind the bar is a giant, splendid collection of any drink, alchoholic or not- even ones that don't exist. Then there is you, the bartender, wearing your spotless red and white tuxedo. You are here to serve, both literally and figuratively. You give the customers drinks and smile.
Outside of the bar is nothing. You've never really known how you got here, or how any of your costumers get here. You just know they are here, in purgatory, and that's fine. You can settle for that; better to know less than too much. It's not your place to ask questions and you don't really care. You like meeting the customers. They are usually kind and thoughtfull and chatty and friendly. If on some particular day you feel antisocial, they don't talk. They are respectful.
You flick on the switch for the sign that reads "STOP FOR A DRINK WHEREVER YOU'RE GOING", turn the Closed sign to the Open side, and wait.
It is not long before the customers begin to roll in.
The first customers are a husband and a wife, both about seventy. They proudly tell you they've been married for thirty years and order a bottle of Chateau Petrus to drink "just before we enter the pearly gates". In reality, it would cost over 9000 dollars. In Purgatory, it's free. You pour the couple two glasses, then pour yourself one (you've earned it, haven't you?). You cheers them and drink, smiling. After, they thank you and leave.
The next customer is a bit of an odd one- but most of them are odd. He is covered in eyes and it hurts your head to look at for too long. He orders Angel's Blood and you frown. It hasn't been ordered for a while and you need to search the endless racks for it, but eventually you find it. You pour the clear, sparkling liquid into his cup. He drinks it, says "Thanks, bud," and leaves.
Now enters a woman. She is mostly normal, save for her left eye. Or, rather, eyes. They search the bar before she points. "Top left, please." She says. "Bright blue bottle." You remove it and read the label. PURE ESSENCE, it says. You hand it to her, not really knowing how to mix it. "Hands on expierience, huh?" She asks, removing the cork from the bottle and dropping golden liquid into the cup and pouring the 'Essence" in with it. "Fun." She gives you the first cup. "Try it." Shrugging, you sip the concotion. It tastes like golden sunshine. Nodding, she stands up. "It tastes great, don't it? Just don't drink too much. You could get addicted to it." She delivers this line with such a monotone voice you wonder if she was either joking or had just served you some kind of drug. You watch her leave, then you shelve the drink. Someone else might want it.
Into the shop comes a man with a hole in his stomach. Half of his face is just a skull. He sits, for a change, down at one of the tables. "Hello!" He calls warmly."Do you have any food? I'm quite hungry." You restrain a laugh. Food hasn't been ordered in an extremely long time. You duck under the bar and open the stove. A puff of dust comes out of it and you cough, finally letting out that laugh. You come back up. "What… do you want… to order?" you say between laughs.
He grins. "Steak. Y'know, the 400 dollar kind." His brow furrows. "It's free, right?"
You nod. "Yep," you say, then begin on the steak. It takes about twelve minutes to cook (the clock says four hours) and you serve it to the man. Thanking you, he digs in hungrily.
Now comes in a thing made of polygons. It sits down at the bar. "What's up, dude?" it asks. "The name is Ray DeGrees. You got any Corona?"
You nod and slide a Corona down the table, fresh from the fridge. Ray drinks it (sort of, the beer just pours onto his body) and leaves without saying thanks.
Jerk.
The man with a hole in his stomach finishes eating. He thanks you and tips a crumpled twenty dollar bill, placing it on the counter. Smiling, you thank him, watch him as he leaves, and throw the money across the room. There's no reason for you to have it.
Closing time.
You flip the breaker for the sign back down, turn the Open sign to Closed, and then turn off the lights. You go into the back of the bar, open the door, and
jump out into the grey void.
you
f
a
l
l
just for a short while before you feel your self slipping.
It will be a different person tommorow.
It always is.
in discussion Forum Discussion / Ideas and Advice » The Bartender of Purgatory- Story in Need of Editing
The Bartender of Purgatory is a short little feel-good (kinda, depends on who you ask) story about you, the bartender. It details the bar and just one of the many days it is open, serving to a diverse plethora of customers.
Please tell me everything you want, I am new to the site and writing on it and want to learn more.
Here is the story:
Inside the bar is a beautiful, mahogany wood lining. There are spotless red velvet stools lining the bar itself, and around the room are tables paired with ornate chairs. Behind the bar is a giant, splendid collection of any drink, alchoholic or not- even ones that don't exist. Then there is you, the bartender, wearing your spotless red and white tuxedo. You are here to serve, both literally and figuratively. You give the customers drinks and smile.
Outside of the bar is nothing. You've never really known how you got here, or how any of your costumers get here. You just know they are here, in purgatory, and that's fine. You can settle for that; better to know less than too much. It's not your place to ask questions and you don't really care. You like meeting the customers. They are usually kind and thoughtfull and chatty and friendly. If on some particular day you feel antisocial, they don't talk. They are respectful.
You flick on the switch for the sign that reads "STOP FOR A DRINK WHEREVER YOU'RE GOING", turn the Closed sign to the Open side, and wait.
It is not long before the customers begin to roll in.
The first customers are a husband and a wife, both about seventy. They proudly tell you they've been married for thirty years and order a bottle of Chateau Petrus to drink "just before we enter the pearly gates". In reality, it would cost over 9000 dollars. In Purgatory, it's free. You pour the couple two glasses, then pour yourself one (you've earned it, haven't you?). You cheers them and drink, smiling. After, they thank you and leave.
The next customer is a bit of an odd one- but most of them are odd. He is covered in eyes and it hurts your head to look at for too long. He orders Angel's Blood and you frown. It hasn't been ordered for a while and you need to search the endless racks for it, but eventually you find it. You pour the clear, sparkling liquid into his cup. He drinks it, says "Thanks, bud," and leaves.
Now enters a woman. She is mostly normal, save for her left eye. Or, rather, eyes. They search the bar before she points. "Top left, please." She says. "Bright blue bottle." You remove it and read the label. PURE ESSENCE, it says. You hand it to her, not really knowing how to mix it. "Hands on expierience, huh?" She asks, removing the cork from the bottle and dropping golden liquid into the cup and pouring the 'Essence" in with it. "Fun." She gives you the first cup. "Try it." Shrugging, you sip the concotion. It tastes like golden sunshine. Nodding, she stands up. "It tastes great, don't it? Just don't drink too much. You could get addicted to it." She delivers this line with such a monotone voice you wonder if she was either joking or had just served you some kind of drug. You watch her leave, then you shelve the drink. Someone else might want it.
Into the shop comes a man with a hole in his stomach. Half of his face is just a skull. He sits, for a change, down at one of the tables. "Hello!" He calls warmly."Do you have any food? I'm quite hungry." You restrain a laugh. Food hasn't been ordered in an extremely long time. You duck under the bar and open the stove. A puff of dust comes out of it and you cough, finally letting out that laugh. You come back up. "What… do you want… to order?" you say between laughs.
He grins. "Steak. Y'know, the 400 dollar kind." His brow furrows. "It's free, right?"
You nod. "Yep," you say, then begin on the steak. It takes about twelve minutes to cook (the clock says four hours) and you serve it to the man. Thanking you, he digs in hungrily.
Now comes in a thing made of polygons. It sits down at the bar. "What's up, dude?" it asks. "The name is Ray DeGrees. You got any Corona?"
You nod and slide a Corona down the table, fresh from the fridge. Ray drinks it (sort of, the beer just pours onto his body) and leaves without saying thanks.
Jerk.
The man with a hole in his stomach finishes eating. He thanks you and tips a crumpled twenty dollar bill, placing it on the counter. Smiling, you thank him, watch him as he leaves, and throw the money across the room. There's no reason for you to have it.
Closing time.
You flip the breaker for the sign back down, turn the Open sign to Closed, and then turn off the lights. You go into the back of the bar, open the door, and
jump out into the grey void.
you
f
a
l
l
just for a short while before you feel your self slipping.
It will be a different person tommorow.
It always is.
Eyy, I'm glad you like the pieces! Thanks a lot for checking them out :)
Just so you know though… I'm definitely stealing your bacon phrase, literary perfection.
-Wanderheil
Hi! Thanks for the feedback.
This belongs to a "Group of Interest" project I made a few years ago, and have been trying to remaster for a while, but found very, very daunting :')
It was completely my fault that I neglected to link it here, and for that I apologize. I've added a link to their hub, and changed the classification so that it hopefully sounds a little less on the nose.
Yeah, the "foundation" speech & likeness is a common critique I get with them, and one I've been trying to get better at, but at heart, even if I rework them, they'll remain an organization that tries to categorize and make sense of things, at least enough so that readers in the Library who walk their paths, can enjoy their reading. I know it's not everyone's cup of tea, and I respect that.
If you're interested, you can read more about them here: WANDERERS BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION.
-Wanderheil