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I am completely gobsmacked! My first experience reading your work brought images to my mind that were bright, expressive, and nothing to do with Ants! I apologize! I thought I was reading a racial piece so I feel silly after reading the other reviews.On my second read, I still loved it, so I hope you are not insulted.
I am totally a new fan. Your command of language, your descriptive abilities, a style completely different from my own and I LOVED IT! K, gotta go read some more! I wish this was a short film with a narrative in the background.
Thanks gg, this is a real treat!
Kimberley Alex Sher

From: Alex Sher | Created on: 4/25/2013 10:59:31 AM

I'm happy to be below the site's talent curve. Everyone to his own poison, but I don't consider this to be good writing.

From: Trevor Snyman | Created on: 3/17/2013 9:21:07 AM

What???  I have two college degrees, lots of life experience, and years of teaching English, but I cannot make sense of this.

From: Anonymous | Created on: 3/8/2013 3:07:38 PM

I love this story.  The words flow, but the punctuation chops it up.  It looks/feels like ants on the march.  Busy, chaotic, but with a purpose.

From: Tracy Panepinto | Created on: 3/3/2013 6:35:20 PM

I had to read this one twice but after I got it I lked it. Good job

From: Ginny Mialma | Created on: 3/3/2013 1:02:53 PM

Well, I can’t help but think a little precaution in the form of well-placed ant traps might have squashed the rampage right from the get-go. All kidding aside this was certainly a different take on the traditional evening feast. But man does not eat alone and all indications suggest a good time was had by all. Looking forward to reading more of your work.

From: William Barrett | Created on: 2/26/2013 7:17:09 PM

Unusual style fit for an unusual story. Quirky and clever. I liked this once I knew what was going.

I was thrown off by the erattic formating of the paragraphs and sentences. I wasn't sure if it was intentional or a problem with the conversion to PDF.

A different take on dinner for sure

From: Michael Cannata | Created on: 2/25/2013 8:02:11 PM

As usual you demonstrate that you have a great command of the language and here you've used it to bring an original concept to life in a subtle way.
I admire that you stick to your formatting style, as it's obviously done in a purposeful way to control pace, however I do think that if the formatting was more traditional you could expand the scope of readers who get and enjoy your work.

From: Joe Niewierski — AuthorStand Founder | Created on: 2/25/2013 11:39:27 AM

This one is just a little above my head. Maybe because of its poetic presentation (A genre that I have yet to fully appreciate), or maybe I'm just too old fashioned (I like stories that are straight forward).

From: D. Wayne Moore | Created on: 2/25/2013 11:24:25 AM

After the second read I comprehended somewhat better the goings on of this tale. You always tell stories from a fresh angle which I truly appreciate. This is a fantastic little story that could do with a higher word count.

From: Laura MacLean | Created on: 2/25/2013 9:24:59 AM

Your  work is like poetry.  It’s like watching an opera, you know something lovely  going on, but not everyone has the comprehension to fully appreciate its meaning.  You have your own unique style and you should continue on, just as you are.  My only suggestion would be to know your audience.

From: Michelle Kidd | Created on: 2/25/2013 8:36:05 AM

Loved this.

gg, so much is said, suggested, intimated-at here.
Maybe too much, actually. Admittedly, "Mayor's Dinner" is not my favorite title from you--but it certainly leaps miles ahead of most here.

What can I say,  the reds, blacks and the yellows (as portrayed here) is a genius metaphor. Often I read your pieces and wonder why I didn't think-up a tale like this. Or atleast this approach to a story.

Simply put this is a well thought through, brilliant piece of writing.
It's funny you know, but everytime I see a new title from you I think "there is no way he can do it again. And then I finish reading and am forced to eat my words..not such a tasty dinner I'm affraid.

Brilliant writing, brilliant imagination, singular writer!

More by pm this afternoon.
But, until then please cool down that sizzling type writer, maybe dowse it in cool water.

From: barbara delvo | Created on: 2/25/2013 8:25:48 AM

Another interesting, thought-provoking piece that is written in a style that is truly awe-inspiring. Well done.

From: Greg Meritt | Created on: 2/24/2013 11:08:19 PM

fine work gg. but who are the yellows?

From: Lawson Brooks | Created on: 2/24/2013 8:49:18 PM

Once again the master picks up his pen and creates something special. Like a labyrinth this story twists and turns and leads to a winning conclusions. I disagree with the reviewer who states you shouldn't be writing here and who also does not have a story posted here, you are not wasting your talents, but allowing all of us to experience you.

Good show...

From: Jack Ivey | Created on: 2/24/2013 8:23:35 AM

An interesting story, not the easiest to follow though.  I did like the amount of description that went into the story and how the details told us the time frame we were in.  An look at a soiree from a different angle you wrote well about the uninvited guest without saying what that guest was you described them well.

From: Lady Toni | Created on: 2/23/2013 9:58:56 PM

Brilliant, interesting and well written, good job

From: Samule Henly | Created on: 2/23/2013 7:28:51 PM

Ok...I will be the first to admit this story was way over my head, but then so was Shakespeare. In view of my inability to understand it, I don't feel qualified to say if it was good or not. So, I am taking away one star only because I didn't (or couldn't) understand its meaning.

From: Rita Rhymer | Created on: 2/23/2013 3:57:12 PM

I am definitely the wrong audience for this style of writing, but I'm sure for someone with much more refined tastes than mine would find this to be very intriguing.....

From: Carolyn Kirschner | Created on: 2/23/2013 3:47:00 PM

Pretty interesting story, GG. I like the how you described the reds and blacks marching down. I just a little confused by what they are. Are they ants? Maybe they're ants or some kind of bugs looking for a meal. I'm not sure.

From: Zach Heher | Created on: 2/23/2013 2:29:41 PM

Got to say, gg (and I have said this to you before):
Stop posting here, for you are way ahead of this site's talent curve. De Plume said it below actually, the true brilliance of "A Dinner at the Mayor's Residence" misses the target audience.

That said this is great work.
Magnificent how you built the scence (namely a Victorian-era hamlet) using "language" as opposed to words. The line:
" How they all danced that night: girls with boys with boys with girls…Tandems—." is simply awesome imagery of this era and type of soiree.

I think your readers are also missing the historical, cultural, and satiric musings that are so well promoted here...your Dr. Derwin would agree.

Be comforted my good man, there are erudite and thinking readers here that have your back. "Mayor's Residence" is simply a brilliant piece, from an awesome wordsmith !!

Lastly, daggers to the spoilers. These guys (Albanes, Hold) don't even know the proper etiquette of reviewing. And that speaks volumes to their actual "review".

From: roger foote | Created on: 2/23/2013 9:11:27 AM

I think you enjoy word weaving. The Tat of this lace is fine and barococo yet it slows the pace to tedium. With certanty an original and supersillious escapade.Well crafted exstravaganza, yet misses the target audience.

From: Valormore De Plume | Created on: 2/23/2013 5:49:59 AM

I loved the word play. It was a bit hard to follow in some places but not too much. Overall a nice read.

From: Jessica Rushing | Created on: 2/22/2013 11:38:53 PM

Interesting play on words.  An intricate piece of writing.  Makes a person stop and think along the way.  The story seems to convey that the tidbits of a mayor's main meal are being fought for by red and black ant colonies.  If I'm wrong, I apologize for interpreting the piece incorrectly.

From: Albert Abanes | Created on: 2/22/2013 10:25:02 PM

Wow. This was sort of... Well, I don't know. Confused. I actually read it through twice and I'm afraid I don't get it. Are the reds and blacks supposed to be ants?

From: James Hold | Created on: 2/22/2013 5:40:37 PM

Good story.  Although it was a little hard to read in places, it was interesting.  You might consider increasing the font size a little to make it easier on the eyes.  Otherwise it was good.  :-)

From: Virginia Simpson | Created on: 2/22/2013 5:19:13 PM