Joy

Passages

Every passage tagged with this emotion in the Vela corpus. Search the body text, narrow by source or register, click through to a book’s profile to see how the passage sits with the rest of the work.

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• From Amplified Holy Bible (2015)

  15 So the LORD God took the man [He had made] and settled him in the Garden of Eden to cultivate and keep it. 16 And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, “You may freely (unconditionally) eat [the fruit] from every tree of the garden; 17 but [only] from the tree of the knowledge (recognition) of good and evil you shall not eat, otherwise on the day that you eat from it, you shall most certainly h die [because of your disobedience].” 18 Now the LORD God said, “It is not good (beneficial) for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper [one who balances him—a counterpart who is] i suitable and complementary for him.” 19 So the LORD God formed out of the ground every animal of the field and every bird of the air, and brought them to Adam to see what he would call them; and whatever the man called a living creature, that was its name. 20 And the man gave names to all the livestock, and to the birds of the air, and to every animal of the field; but for Adam there was not found a helper [that was] suitable (a companion) for him. 21 So the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam; and while he slept, He took one of his ribs and closed up the flesh at that place. 22 And the rib which the LORD God had taken from the man He made (fashioned, formed) into a woman, and He brought her and presented her to the man. 23 Then Adam said, “This is now bone of my bones, And flesh of my flesh; She shall be called Woman, Because she was taken out of Man.” 24 For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and shall be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh. [Matt 19:5 ; 1 Cor 6:16 ; Eph 5:31–33 ] 25 And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed or embarrassed. Genesis 3 The Fall of Man 1 N ow the serpent was more crafty (subtle, skilled in deceit) than any living creature of the field which the LORD God had made. And a the serpent (Satan) said to the woman, “Can it really be that God has said, ‘You shall not eat from b any tree of the garden’?” [Rev 12:9–11 ] 2 And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees of the garden, 3 except the fruit from the tree which is in the middle of the garden. God said, ‘You shall not eat from it nor touch it, otherwise you will die.’ ” 4 But the serpent said to the woman, “You certainly will not die!

• From History of the Christian Church: The Complete Set of Eight Volumes (1858)

  A large sarcophagus represents a scene of family worship: on the right, four men, with rolls in their hands, reading or singing; on the left, three women and a girl playing a lyre. For the conclusion of a marriage, Ignatius646 required "the consent of the bishop, that it might be a marriage for God, and not for pleasure. All should be done to the glory of God." In Tertullian’s time,647 as may be inferred from the passage just quoted, the solemnization of marriage was already at least a religious act, though not a proper sacrament, and was sealed by the celebration of the holy communion in presence of the congregation. The Montanists were disposed even to make this benediction of the church necessary to the validity of marriage among Christians. All noisy and wanton Jewish and heathen nuptial ceremonies, and at first also the crowning of the bride, were discarded; but the nuptial ring, as a symbol of union, was retained. In the catacombs the marriage ceremony is frequently represented by the man and the woman standing side by side and joining hands in token of close union, as also on heathen documents. On a gilded glass of the fourth century, the couple join hands over a small nuptial altar, and around the figures are inscribed the words (of the priest): "May ye live in God."648 Mixed marriages with heathens and also with heretics, were unanimously condemned by the voice of the church in agreement with the Mosaic legislation, unless formed before conversion, in which case they were considered valid.649 Tertullian even classes such marriages with adultery. What heathen, asks he, will let his wife attend the nightly meetings of the church, and the slandered supper of the Lord, take care of the sick even in the poorest hovels, kiss the chains of the martyrs in prison rise in the night for prayer, and show hospitality to strange brethren? Cyprian calls marriage with an unbeliever a prostitution of the members of Christ. The Council of Elvira in Spain (306) forbade such mixed marriages on pain of excommunication, but did not dissolve those already existing. We shall understand this strictness, if, to say nothing of the heathen marriage rites, and the wretchedly loose notions on chastity and conjugal fidelity, we consider the condition of those times, and the offences and temptations which met the Christian in the constant sight of images of the household gods, mythological pictures on the walls, the floor, and the furniture; in the libations at table; in short, at every step and turn in a pagan house. Second marriage.—From the high view of marriage, and also from an ascetic over-estimate of celibacy, arose a very, prevalent aversion to re-marriage, particularly of widows. The Shepherd of Hermas allows this reunion indeed, but with the reservation, that continuance in single life earns great honor with the Lord. Athenagoras goes so far as to call the second marriage a "decent adultery."650

• From Emotional Beats: How to Easily Convert your Writing into Palpable Feelings (2018)

  Instead, they bounced around her skull like rogue Ping-Pong balls.Her apartment looked like a tornado had blown through it and left a couple frat brothers behind.Her red blouse was a favorite—the shredded material looked like a yeti had tried to make out with her.She had her kitten motor on purr.He moved his mouth around her finger as if he were sucking on a piece of candy.She was smiling so hard, the corners of her mouth were getting introduced to her ears.Fortunately, he cleared his throat, which pulled her back from the lust ledge just in time, before she swan-dived right into the Abyss of Really Bad Ideas.It's going to start raining like a cow pissing on a flat rock, so let's cut to the chase.The words rang through her head like a cymbal crash.…coming from her mouth gave the words a wasp-sting-like quality.The pleasant smell wafted toward me like a snowflake carried by a gentle breeze.He swore up and down and in every compass direction he was innocent.She climbed the stairs with less grace than a drunken hippo.She moved toward him like a skinless snake on broken glass.A gossamer dress so fine, that spiders might have sewn it.The memory faded from her head like last night’s dreams.Trees with skeletal limbs, badly in need of a trim, scraped against slate, like oaken nails on the lid of a coffin.He looked at the fancy balusters, like young girls at their first dance, all curves and waists and giggles.Paintings in vibrant colors covered walls, like small windows into faraway scenery.He vanished, like a movement one catches with the corner of their eye, but disappears when they turn.The thought dissipated like morning fog at the rising of the sun.Soldiers scurried about like ants swarming from a heap.They scurried in a frenzy like the desert lizards do when people interfere with their sunbathing.The image melted away like mist before the sun.Anger like sharp barbs formed on her words.The idea melted inside her head like an ice cube on an August sidewalk.He sprang up as quick as a sucker punch to a blind man’s nose.Whispers buzzed though the crowd’s tight huddle like hungry mosquitoes in search of a crimson meal.She pranced about like a newly-minted deity demanding worship from somebody—anybody.He trailed back to her, like a scared hound hoping for table scraps.His eyes went as wide as a pair of pies cooling on a windowsill.The words tumbled from her lips like loose pebbles bent on disturbing still waters.His face blurred like a funhouse mirror.His head bobbed like his neck was hanging from a string.Insults fell like rocks from an angry mob seeking revenge.His head gave in to a tilt that made him look like a hound hearing a whistle for the first time.She wondered who had managed to coax a little sugar from that old pillar of salt.She rose like a hornet got her on the backside.I trickled inside the room like a slow leak.Sweet melody dripped from her perfect lips like nectar from a flower.

• From Understanding the Old Testament (2019)

  l e CtU re 23 | eCC lesiastes and the “ vanity of v anities” 141 The fourth element in the repeating structure tells the reader to go out and enjoy life. For example, take this line from chapter 3: “I know there is nothing better … than to rejoice and do well during life. Moreover that all can eat and drink and enjoy the good of all their toil this is a gift of God.” The power to enjoy life is itself a divine gift, and the book mocks those who furtively grasp for pleasure on their own. Life is a gift from God, and one has to accept it as a gift with joy rather than anxiety. And failure to enjoy life’s blessings is a sin. Questions to Consider Y Is the epilogue of Qohelet consistent with the rest of the book? Y Where do you come down on Qohelet: Is it optimistic or pessimistic? Suggested Reading Lohfink, Qoheleth. SLAYING THE DRAGONS OF THE OLD TESTAMENT LECTURE 24 This lecture goes back through the entirety of the Old Testament through one lens in particular. Woven through the entire text is a metaphor that is a glimpse of a story of dragon slaying. It’s a very important metaphor, because understanding where it comes from—and where it leads— summarizes the message of the corpus as a whole. Dragons in the Bible The Bible does include mentions of dragons. For example, take Isaiah 27:1, which reads, “On that day, the Lord with his hard and great and strong sword will punish Leviathan the fleeing serpent, Leviathan the twisting serpent; he will slay the dragon that is in the sea.” 24 l e Ct Ure 24 | s laying the d ragons of the o ld t estament 143 The text is personifying evil because the ancient Israelites had a clear sense of the reality of evil. The biblical writers took this image from a narrative story known to their neighbors, the Canaanites, who preceded the Israelites in the Promised Land and continued to be their closest neighbors throughout the early history. destruction of the l eviathan

• From The Well of Loneliness (1928)

  A crystal clear morning, like a draught of spring water, and such mornings are good when one is young. The pony tugged hard and fought at his bridle; he was trembling with pleasure for he was no novice; he knew all about signs and wonders in stables, such as large feeds of corn administered early, and extra long groomings, and pink coats with brass buttons, like the hunt coat Sir Philip was wearing. He frisked down the road, a mass of affectation, demanding some skill on the part of his rider; but the child’s hands were strong yet exceedingly gentle—she possessed that rare gift, perfect hands on a horse. ‘This is better than being young Nelson,’ thought Stephen, ‘ ’cause this way I’m happy just being myself.’ Sir Philip looked down at his daughter with contentment; she was good to look upon, he decided. And yet his contentment was not quite complete, so that he looked away again quickly, sighing a little, because, somehow these days, he had taken to sighing over Stephen. The meet was a large one. People noticed the child; Colonel Antrim, the Master, rode up and spoke kindly: ‘You’ve a fine pony there, but he’ll need a bit of holding!’ And then to her father: ‘Is she safe astride, Philip? Violet’s learning to ride, but side-saddle, I prefer it—I never think girl children get the grip astride; they aren’t built for it, haven’t the necessary muscle; still, no doubt she’ll stick on by balance.’ Stephen flushed: ‘No doubt she’ll stick on by balance!’ The words rankled, oh, very deeply they rankled. Violet was learning to ride side- saddle, that small, flabby lump who squealed if you pinched her; that terrified creature of muslins and ribbons and hair that curled over the nurse’s finger! Why, Violet could never come to tea without crying, could never play a game without getting herself hurt! She had fat, wobbly legs too, just like a rag doll—and you, Stephen, had been compared to Violet! Ridiculous of course, and yet all of a sudden you felt less impressive in your fine riding breeches. You felt—well, not foolish exactly, but self-conscious—not quite at your ease, a little bit wrong. It was almost as though you were playing at young Nelson again, were only pretending. But you said: ‘I’ve got muscles, haven’t I, Father? Williams says I’ve got riding muscles already!’ Then you dug your heels sharply into the pony, so that he whisked round, bucking and rearing. As for you, you stuck to his back like a limpet. Wasn’t that enough to convince them? ‘Steady on, Stephen!’ came Sir Philip’s voice, warning. Then the Master’s: ‘She’s got a fine seat. I’ll admit it—Violet’s a little bit scared on a horse, but I think she’ll get confidence later; I hope so.’

• From The Well of Loneliness (1928)

  Oh, but the spring was shouting through Paris! It was in the hearts and the eyes of the people. The very dray-horses jangled their bells more loudly because of the spring in their drivers. The debauched old taxis tooted their horns and spun round the cor- ners as though on a race track. Even such glacial things as the diamonds in the Rue de la Paix, were kindled to fire as the sun pierced their facets right through to their entrails; while the sapphires glowed as those African nights had glowed in the garden at Orotava. Was it likely that Stephen could finish her book — she who had Paris in springtime with Mary? Was it likely that Mary could urge her to do so — she who had Paris in springtime with Stephen? There was so much to see, so much to show Mary, so 372 THE WELL OF LONELINESS many new things to discover together. And now Stephen felt grateful to Jonathan Brockett who had gone to such pains to teach her her Paris. Idle she was, let it not be denied, idle and happy and utterly carefree. A lover, who, like many another before her, was under the spell of the loved one’s existence. She would wake in the mornings to find Mary beside her, and all through the day she would keep beside Mary, and at night they would lie in each other’s arms — God alone knows who shall dare judge of such matters; in any case Stephen was too much bewitched to be troubled just then by hair-splitting problems. Life had become a new revelation. The most mundane things were invested with glory; shopping with Mary who needed quite a number of dresses. And then there was food that was eaten together — the careful perusal of wine-card and menu. They would lunch or have dinner at Lapérouse; surely still the most epicurean restaurant in the whole of an epicurean city. So humble it looks with its modest entrance on the Quai des Grands Augus- tins; so humble that a stranger might well pass it by unnoticed, but not so Stephen, who had been there with Brockett. Mary loved Prunier’s in the Rue Duphot, because of its galaxy of sea-monsters. A whole counter there was of incredible crea- tures — Oursins, black armoured and covered with prickles; Bigorneaux; serpent-like Anguilles Fumées; and many other ex- citing things that Stephen mistrusted for English stomachs. They would sit at their own particular table, one of the tables upstairs by the window, for the manager came very quickly to know them and would smile and bow grandly: ‘ Bon jour, mesdames.’ When they left, the attendant who kept the flower-basket would give Mary a neat little bouquet of roses: ‘ Au revoir, mesdames. Merci bien — a bientôt! ° For every one had pretty manners at Prunier’s.

• From Vox (1992)

  “Okay then, hand it over. Although I’ve never cottoned to dildos particularly. I used one once, to oblige someone, and I got a yeast infection. I think it was called a ‘Mighty Mini Brute.’ ” “That’s a fair description of my … crank.” “I know what you mean, though. Sometimes I get the same way, so worked up. My clit gets hard and it feels like this discrete wedge item, like a piece of candy corn, and I feel as if I should put it in a little wooden box for safekeeping. I usually like to come in the shower.” “Mm! Shouldn’t that bra come off, really?” “No it really should not, and I’ll tell you why. When I dither myself off … no, I don’t want to tell you.” “Please, yes you do, please tell me, yes you do, please, right now.” “When I masturbate and I’m not in the shower, I need my breasts to be tended to, but, boo-hoo, there’s nobody to tend to them, so what I do is I pull my bra down so that the edge of it catches under my nipples, and then they’re all taken care of, and I can use both hands to tend to matters below.” “This is a miracle,” he said. “It’s just a telephone conversation.” “It’s a telephone conversation I want to have. I love the telephone.” “Well, I like it too,” she said. “There’s a power it has. My sister’s little babe has a toy phone, which is white, with horses and pigs and ducks on the dial, and a blue receiver that has no weight to it at all, and I find there is an astonishing feeling of power when you pretend to be talking to someone on it. You cover the mouthpiece with your hand and you say in this dramatic whisper, ‘Stevie, it’s Horton the Elephant on the phone. He wants to speak to you!’ and you hand it over to Stevie and his eyes get big and you and he both for that second believe that Horton the Elephant really is on the phone. And then you get two phones going. Stevie’s on the white phone with the ducks and pigs, and I’m on the yellow phone with the wheels and the eyes that move when you pull it along the floor, and I ask how Stevie’s doing and have a little conversation with him and then I say, ‘Stevie, would you like to speak to Paul ?’ And Stevie says yes. Paul is a relative—this happened last time I was back home—and Paul, who’s sitting right there, gets this startled look, his hand automatically flies up to take the tiny plastic phone that I’m handing to him, he interrupts whatever real conversation he’s been having and he says, ‘Hello?’ and his smile is very complicated—he almost believes .”

• From The Decameron (1353)

  Accordingly, seeing the two young folk now restored to their former cheer, he clad them sumptuously and said to Giusfredi, 'Were it not dear to thee, over and above thy present joyance, an thou sawest thy mother here?' Whereto he answered, 'I dare not flatter myself that the chagrin of her unhappy chances can have left her so long alive; but, were it indeed so, it were dear to me above all, more by token that methinketh I might yet, by her counsel, avail to recover great part of my estate in Sicily.' Thereupon Currado sent for both the ladies, who came and made much of the newly-wedded wife, no little wondering what happy inspiration it could have been that prompted Currado to such exceeding complaisance as he had shown in joining Giannotto with her in marriage. Madam Beritola, by reason of the words she had heard from Currado, began to consider Giannotto and some remembrance of the boyish lineaments of her son's countenance being by occult virtue awakened in her, without awaiting farther explanation, she ran, open-armed, to cast herself upon his neck, nor did overabounding emotion and maternal joy suffer her to say a word; nay, they so locked up all her senses that she fell into her son's arms, as if dead. The latter, albeit he was sore amazed, remembering to have many times before seen her in that same castle and never recognized her, nevertheless knew incontinent the maternal odour and blaming himself for his past heedlessness, received her, weeping, in his arms and kissed her tenderly. After awhile, Madam Beritola, being affectionately tended by Currado's lady and Spina and plied both with cold water and other remedies, recalled her strayed senses and embracing her son anew, full of maternal tenderness, with many tears and many tender words, kissed him a thousand times, whilst he all reverently beheld and entreated her. After these joyful and honourable greetings had been thrice or four times repeated, to the no small contentment of the bystanders, and they had related unto each other all that had befallen them, Currado now, to the exceeding satisfaction of all, signified to his friends the new alliance made by him and gave ordinance for a goodly and magnificent entertainment.

• From The Well of Loneliness (1928)

  Mary rolled up the stockings with a sigh of regret; alas, they would not require darning. She was at the stage of being in love when she longed to do womanly tasks for Stephen. But all Stephen’s clothes were discouragingly neat; Mary thought that she must be very well served, which was true—she was served, as are certain men, with a great deal of nicety and care by the servants. And now Stephen was filling her cigarette case from the big box that lived on her dressing table; and now she was strap- ping on her gold wrist watch; and now she was brushing some dust from her coat; and now she was frowning at herself in the glass for a second as she twitched her immaculate neck-tie. Mary had seen her do all this before, many times, but to-day somehow it was different; for to-day they were in their own home together, so that these little intimate things seemed more dear than they had done at Orotava. The bedroom could only have belonged to Stephen; a large, airy room, very simply furnished — white walls, old oak, and a wide, bricked hearth on which some large, friendly logs were burning. The bed could only have been Stephen’s bed; it was heavy and rather austere in pattern. It looked solemn as Mary had seen Stephen look, and was covered by a bedspread of old blue brocade, otherwise it remained quite guiltless of trimmings. The chairs could only have been Stephen’s chairs; a little reserved, not conducive to lounging. The dressing 370 THE WELL OF LONELINESS table could only have been hers, with its tall silver mirror and ivory brushes. And all these things had drawn into themselves a species of life derived from their owner, until they seemed to be thinking of Stephen with a dumbness that made their thoughts more insistent, and their thoughts gathered strength and mingled with Mary’s so that she heard herself cry out: ° Stephen!’ in a voice that was not very far from tears, because of the joy she felt in that name. And Stephen answered her: ‘ Mary —’ Then they stood very still, grown abruptly silent. And each of them felt a little afraid, for the realization of great mutual love can at times be so overwhelming a thing, that even the bravest of hearts may grow fearful. And although they could not have put it into words, could not have explained it to themselves or to each other, they seemed at that moment to be looking be- yond the turbulent flood of earthly passion; to be looking straight into the eyes of a love that was changed —a love made perfect, discarnate. But the moment passed and they drew together. . . . 2

• From The Well of Loneliness (1928)

  THaT spring, in the foyer of the Comédie Française, Stephen stumbled across a link with the past in the person of a middle- aged woman. The woman was stout and wore pince-nez; her sparse brown hair was already greying; her face, which was long, had a double chin, and that face seemed vaguely familiar to Stephen. Then suddenly Stephen’s two hands were seized and held fast in those of the middle-aged woman, while a voice grown loud with delight and emotion was saying: * Mais oui, c’est ma petite Stévenne! ’ Back came a picture of the schoolroom at Morton, with a battered red book on its ink-stained table—the Bibliothèque Rose —‘ Les Petites Filles Modèles, ‘Les Bons Enfants,’ and Mademoiselle Duphot. Stephen said: ‘To think — after all these years! ’ * Ah, quelle joie! Quelle joie! ° babbled Mademoiselle Duphot. And now Stephen was being embraced on both cheeks, then held at arm’s length for a better inspection. ‘ But how tall, how strong you are, ma petite Stévenne. You remember what I say, that we meet in Paris? I say when I go, “ But you come to Paris when you grow up bigger, my poor little baby! ” I keep looking and looking, but I knowed you at once. I say, “ Oui certaine- ment, that is ma petite Stévenne, no one ’ave such another face what I love, it could only belong to Stévenne,” I say. And now voila! I am correct and I find you.’ Stephen released herself firmly but gently, replying in French to calm Mademoiselle, whose linguistic struggles increased every moment. ‘I’m living in Paris altogether,’ she told her; * you must come 296 THE WELL OF LONELINESS and see me — come to dinner to-morrow; 35, Rue Jacob.’ Then she introduced Puddle who had been an amused spectator. The two ex-guardians of Stephen’s young mind shook hands with each other very politely, and they made such a strangely contrasted couple that Stephen must smile to see them together. The one was so small, so quiet and so English; the other so portly, so tearful, so French in her generous, if somewhat embarrassing emotion. As Mademoiselle regained her composure, Stephen was able to observe her more closely, and she saw that her face was ex- cessively childish —a fact which she, when a child, had not noticed. It was more the face of a foal than a horse — an inno- cent, new-born foal. Mademoiselle said rather wistfully: ‘I will dine with much pleasure to-morrow evening, but when will you come and see me in my home? It is in the Avenue de la Grande Armée, a small apartment, very small but so pretty — it is pleasant to have one’s treasures around one. The bon Dieu has been very good to me, Stévenne, for my Aunt Clothilde left me a little money when she died; it has proved a great consolation.’ ‘TIl come very soon,’ promised Stephen.

• From Hot Rods: Gay Erotic Stories (2011)

  The release of pent-up lust, fear, anger, and exhilaration, combined in an ecstatic moment of pure pleasure. He deepthroated, then pulled off and attacked the spit-wet pole with lips and tongue, letting it smack against his chin and cheeks and nostrils, then swallowed it again. In the throes of the savage suck job, he dared to glance up. Kent’s gray eyes stared down at him, intent, focused. His wide mouth was open, tongue out and licking at pink lips. There was no question he was enjoying the sight of his fellow soldier on his knees, cock in his mouth, and gobbling. A sense of power, control, and reassuring security and safety washed over him. He moaned as he recognized it. He hadn’t felt safe, not for an instant, since he’d arrived in this godforsaken country. He buried his face in Kent’s crotch, hands brave enough to unbuckle the heavy combat belt, to burrow into the khakis and beneath the underwear and slither around to encase round asscheeks. The lanky sergeant had a full, tight ass, smooth and hairless and warm, which the private grasped and pulled, forcing cock into his mouth and throat. He fucked his own mouth that way, fingers kneading hot sergeant ass-globes, hands pushing hips forward, cock driving in and out of his smacking lips. Drool coated his chin and cheeks, coated shank and smooth balls. Daring even more, he thrust a hand between the firm mounds of Kent’s butt, and finding a hairless slot, dared to stroke it, fingering the snug lips and even pressing against the warm center. “Fuck yeah, Private. I’m gonna blow! You’re sucking a big load outta my nuts!” Randy gobbled the sergeant’s cock to the root, pulling the officer’s hips forward against his face, ramming his fingertip up Kent’s tight asshole at the same time. A deep grunt was followed by a rapid withdrawal as Kent yanked his cock from the tight throat and let loose. A geyser of spunk erupted from the spit-wet tool. The nut-cream rocketed out of the straining slit, landing on Randy’s cheeks, chin, lips, nose, forehead, and helmet. He gulped for air, inhaling the rank stink of cum, and taking the opportunity to ram and twist his fingertip deep into the heated confines of his sergeant’s palpitating asshole. On his knees, absolutely amazed, he gazed up at that spewing cock, the gray eyes half-closed, the expression of sublime pleasure on the broad handsome face; felt the clenching of the compact buttcheeks against his hand and the seizing of his finger by the throbbing asshole. He was stunned. The battle-experienced sergeant was not so careless. He regained control of his senses with a shake of his head and an explosive grunt. “Get up and check out that window. I’ll check out the eastern perimeter.”

• From Unbought and Unbossed: Transgressive Black Women, Sexuality, and Representation (2014)

  Renay and Terry's sexual intimacy disrupts heterosexist sensibilities surrounding sexuality and the privileging of male desire and pleasure in heterosexual intercourse. Their sexual intimacy is marked by a delicateness and sensuality that creates in Renay intense feelings of passion, erotic desire, and orgasmic ecstasy, which differ significantly from her experiences with Jerome, as she and the narrator contend: "I didn't know it could be like that-" It had never been with [Jerome]. The hurried mounting of her, the jabbing inside her with the acrid whiskey odor heavy in her nostrils. It had always been over in seconds; then he would turn over and go to sleep. (28, original emphasis) Invested solely in his own gratification, Jerome exerts dominance and power during sex with Renay, as evidenced by his "mounting" and "jabbing inside" her, which resembles and alludes to her earlier rape (and accounts, in part, for why in their nearly seven years of marriage, Renay never experiences an orgasm with Jerome). Unlike Jerome, Terry is invested in pleasing Renay, who, during their very first sexual experience, reaches unprecedented sexual climax. In fact, when Renay assumes, during their postintercourse dialogue, that Terry had gotten "nothing out of [sex]," Terry contends instead, "Yes, yes I did. Pleasing you. In time, as we begin to know each other, we'll grow together" (28). Terry's remarks reveal not only the mutually constitutive (sexual) nature of their relationship, but also the space that exists in their blossoming romantic friendship for reciprocity in terms of sexual pleasure, accompanied by both sexual/relational growth and longevity. Juxtaposing Renay and Terry's relationship with Renay and Jerome's, Shockley privileges female desire and sexual subjectivity, while excoriating the ways in which female sexuality is confined, regulated, and/or compromised as the object of male longing and desire. She also transgresses the false notion that women's bodies are for the exclusive sexual pleasure and gratification of men.

• From Amplified Holy Bible (2015)

  30 Solomon’s wisdom surpassed the wisdom of all the sons of the east and all the wisdom of Egypt. 31 For he was wiser f than all [other] men, [wiser] than g Ethan the Ezrahite, and Heman, Calcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol. His fame was known in all the surrounding nations. 32 He also spoke 3,000 proverbs, and his songs were 1,005. 33 He spoke of trees, from the cedar which is in Lebanon to the hyssop [vine] that grows on the wall; he spoke also of animals, of birds, of creeping things, and fish. 34 People came from all the peoples (nations) to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and from all the kings of the earth who had heard of his wisdom. 1 Kings 5 Alliance with King Hiram 1 H IRAM KING of Tyre sent his servants to Solomon when he heard that they had anointed him king in place of his father, for Hiram had always been a friend of David. 2 Then Solomon sent word to Hiram, saying, 3 “You know that David my father could not build a house (temple) for the Name (Presence) of the LORD his God because of the wars which surrounded him, until the LORD put his enemies under his feet. [2 Sam 7:4ff ; 1 Chr 22:8 ] 4 “But now that the LORD my God has given me rest [from war] on every side, there is neither adversary nor misfortune [confronting me]. 5 “Behold, I intend to build a house (temple) to the Name of the LORD my God, just as the LORD said to my father David: ‘Your son whom I will put on your throne in your place shall build the house for My Name and Presence.’ 6 “So now, command that they cut cedar trees from Lebanon for me, and my servants will join your servants, and I will give you whatever wages you set for your servants. For you know that there is no one among us who knows how to cut timber like the men of Sidon.” 7 When Hiram heard the words of Solomon, he rejoiced greatly and said, “Blessed be the LORD this day, who has given David a wise son [to be king] over this great people.” 8 So Hiram sent word to Solomon, saying, “I have heard the message which you sent to me; I will do everything you wish concerning the cedar and cypress timber. 9 “My servants will bring the logs down from Lebanon to the [Mediterranean] sea, and I will have them made into rafts to go by sea to the place (port) that you direct me; then I will have them broken up there, and you shall carry them away.

• From Amplified Holy Bible (2015)

  27 “I was first to say to Zion, ‘Listen carefully, here they are [the Jews who will be restored to their own land].’ And to Jerusalem, ‘I will provide a messenger (Isaiah) to bring the good news [e that Cyrus will be stirred up and put into action to save them].’ [Is 40:9 ; 52:7 ] 28 “But when I look [on the pagan prophets and priests], there is no one [who could predict these events], And there is no counselor f among them, Who, if I ask, can give an answer. 29 “In fact, all of these [pagan prophets and priests] are false; Their works are worthless, Their cast images are [merely] wind and emptiness. Isaiah 42 God’s Promise concerning His Servant 1 “B EHOLD, MY a Servant, whom I b uphold; My Chosen One in whom My soul delights. I have put My Spirit upon Him; He will bring forth justice to the nations. [Matt 3:16 , 17 ] 2 “He will not call out or shout aloud, Nor make His voice heard in the street. 3 “A broken reed He will not break [off] And a dimly burning wick He will not extinguish [He will not harm those who are weak and suffering]; He will faithfully bring forth justice. [Matt 12:17–21 ] 4 “He will not be disheartened or crushed [in spirit]; [He will persevere] until He has established justice on the earth; And the coastlands will wait expectantly for His law.” [Rom 8:22–25 ] 5 This is what God the LORD says, He who created the heavens and stretched them out, Who spread out the earth and its produce, Who gives breath to the people on it And spirit to those who walk on it, 6 “I am the LORD , I have called You (the Messiah) in righteousness [for a righteous purpose], I will also take You by the hand and keep watch over You, And I will appoint You as a covenant to the people [Israel], As a light to the nations (Gentiles), 7 To open the eyes of the blind, To bring out prisoners from the dungeon And those who sit in darkness from the prison. [Matt 12:18–21 ] 8 “I am the LORD , that is My Name; My glory I will not give to another, Nor My praise to carved idols. 9 “Indeed, the former things have come to pass, Now I declare new things; Before they spring forth I proclaim them to you.” 10 Sing to the LORD a new song, Sing His praise from the end of the earth! You who go down to the sea, and all that is in it, You islands and coastlands, and those who inhabit them [sing His praise]! 11 Let the wilderness and its cities lift up their voices, The villages where Kedar lives. Let the inhabitants of c Sela shout for joy, Let them shout joyfully from the tops of the mountains.

• From Vox (1992)

  44 the only stipulation is, if you work for Harvey, you have to work in the store, in this small glass enclosure that kind of projects from one of the windows so that people walking by on the street can watch you work. You're a little hesitant about that, but he draws the curtain open, tells you to take a seat, and it's this nice little room, with many many small wooden drawers that are handy on either side, and a whole set of silversmithing tools that are mounted on little spring clips, and a nice flame there, a nice blue flame, with a yellow tip, and it really seems very cozy, and yet of course visible from the street, and so you start work. And Harvey could not be nicer—he treats you with kindly irony, and when you make a piece he especially likes, he is very appreciative. He sets up a special display case for just your work in the store, and he doesn't mind when you come in a little late. And over the first few months you start doing this series of brace lets, simple elegant silver bracelets, which Harvey puts in the case. Naturally many of the customers who wander into the store are young men buying jewelry for women they love, and they're uncertain, they want to be sure they're right to buy that particular piece, and so Harvey gets in the habit of poking his head through the curtain and asking you, very hesitantly and politely, if you might want to come out and show the prospective buyer what the bracelet looks like on a real woman. And you find this a trifle embarrassing, because, after all, you made the piece, but you take off your welder's glasses and you

• From The Decameron (1353)

  The pilgrim, having heard this, with the magistrate's consent took his leave and repairing privily to the house of Madam Ermellina, found her alone and awaiting him, (all else in the house being gone to sleep,) alike desirous of having good news of her husband and of fully reconciling herself with her Tedaldo. He accosted her with a joyful countenance and said, 'Dearest lady mine, be of good cheer, for to-morrow thou shalt certainly have thine Aldobrandino here again safe and sound'; and to give her more entire assurance thereof, he fully recounted to her that which he had done. Whereupon she, glad as ever woman was of two so sudden and so happy chances, to wit, the having her lover alive again, whom she verily believed to have bewept dead, and the seeing Aldobrandino free from peril, whose death she looked ere many days to have to mourn, affectionately embraced and kissed Tedaldo; then, getting them to bed together, with one accord they made a glad and gracious peace, taking delight and joyance one of the other. Whenas the day drew near, Tedaldo arose, after showing the lady that which he purposed to do and praying her anew to keep it a close secret, and went forth, even in his pilgrim's habit, to attend, whenas it should be time, to Aldobrandino's affairs. The day come, it appearing to the Seignory that they had full information of the matter, they straightway discharged Aldobrandino and a few days after let strike off the murderers' heads whereas they had committed the crime.

• From Amplified Holy Bible (2015)

  11 So the redeemed of the LORD will return And come with joyful shouting to Zion; Everlasting joy will be on their heads. They will obtain gladness and joy, And sorrow and sighing will flee away. [Rev 7:17 ; 21:1 , 4 ] 12 “I, even I, am He who comforts you. Who are you that you are afraid of man who dies And of a son of man who is made [as destructible] as grass, 13 That you have forgotten the LORD your Maker, Who stretched out the heavens And laid the foundations of the earth, That you continually tremble with fear all day long because of the rage of the oppressor, As he takes aim to destroy? And where is the rage of the oppressor? 14 The [captive] exile will soon be set free, and will not die in the dungeon, nor will his food be lacking. 15 “For I am the LORD your God, who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar—the LORD of hosts is His name. 16 “I have put My words in your mouth and have covered you with the shadow of My hand, to a establish the [renewed] heavens and lay the foundations of the [renewed] earth, and to say to Zion (Jerusalem), ‘You are My people.’ ” [Is 65:17 ; 66:22 ; Rev 21:1 ] 17 Wake yourself up! Wake yourself up! Stand up, O Jerusalem, You who have drunk at the hand of the LORD the cup of His wrath, You who have drunk the cup of staggering and intoxication to the dregs [leaving only sediment]. 18 There is no one to guide her among all the sons she has borne, Nor is there anyone to take her by the hand among all the sons she has reared. 19 These two tragedies have befallen you; Who will show sympathy for you and mourn with you? The desolation and destruction [on the land and city], famine and sword [on the inhabitants]; How shall I comfort you? 20 Your sons have fainted; They lie helpless at the head of every street, Like an antelope in a net, Full [from drinking] of the wrath of the LORD , The rebuke of your God. 21 Therefore, now hear this, you who are afflicted, Who are drunk, but not with wine [but overwhelmed by the wrath of God]. 22 So says your Lord, the LORD , who is also your God Who pleads the cause of His people, “Listen carefully, I have taken from your hand the cup of staggering and intoxication, The cup of My wrath; You shall never drink it again.

• From Vox (1992)

  Now I’ve answered your questions, now you tell me something.” “Do you want to hear something true, or something imaginary?” “First true, then imaginary,” she said. “Once,” he said, “I was listening to the stereo with the headphones on, I was about sixteen, and the stereo receiver was on the floor of a little room off the living room, I don’t know why it was on the floor, I guess because my father was repainting the living room—that must have been it—and the headphone cord was quite short, but I was very interested in learning how to dance. It was winter, it was maybe eight o’clock at night, very dark, I hadn’t turned on the light in the room. And I was trying to learn all these moves, but tethered to the stereo, so I was almost completely doubled over, like I was tracking some animal, but I was really ecstatic—dancing, sweating, out of breath, flailing my arms, doing little jumps … once I got a little too excited and did a big sideways bob of my head and the headphones came off and pulled my glasses off with them—but no problem, I just stylized the motions of picking up my glasses and putting them on and repeated them a few times, incorporated them in. And then suddenly I hear, ‘Jim, what are you doing?’ in this horrified voice. My younger sister had heard all this breathing and panting coming from me in the darkness and thought of course that I was …” “Right.” “I said, ‘I’m dancing.’ And she went away. I danced for a while longer, but with somewhat less conviction. That was my year of heavy stereo use. Unlike you I didn’t have a big crush on anyone at the time. I think it was more that I had a crush on the tuner itself, frankly. I used to imagine that the megahertz markings were the skyline of a city at night. The FM markings were all the buildings, and the AM markings were their reflection in water …” “Ah,” she said, “but you’re supposed to be telling me something true, not something imagined.” “Yes, but the true thing is shading into the imagined thing, all right?

• From Hot Rods: Gay Erotic Stories (2011)

  “Oh, God! I’m coming!” Billy screams, his voice tight and rising several octaves higher with each syllable. I jerk the last drop from his cock, still breathing hard from my climax as Billy reaches the end of his own. We stand together for a few minutes, hard hats clanked against one another, waiting for our breathing and heartbeats to slow down to normal. God, I hope nobody heard us, especially Billy’s last shriek. The boy’s a screamer, and while I do love men who let me know that I’m working it, vocalizing is a bad thing when we’re on the job. Lunchtime quickies will have to be kept quiet—maybe next time I’ll gag him. The thought is intriguing, and I almost wish he hadn’t drained me so completely. I wouldn’t mind giving a ball gag a try on Billy-boy. Doesn’t really matter. I don’t have the time or the equipment now anyway. Maybe I’ll pack a little something extra in my lunch box tomorrow. That there will be a next time goes without saying. There will be, no doubt about it. There’s no fucking way on earth that I can work side by side with Billy and not want to fuck him blind at lunchtime. Dinnertime. Maybe breakfast. The thought makes me smile. “There’s the whistle,” I say, breaking away from him, pulling up my pants. We dress in hurry. I don’t want Billy to be late from lunch on his first day on the job. “Dale…” “Yeah?” “I’m gonna like sandhogging,” Billy says with a cheeky grin. “The fringe benefits rock.” I laugh, swatting his ass. “Come on, kid. Get a move on. We’re going to be late.” By the time we reach the end of the side tunnel, we’ve both got our game faces back on. Just two more sandhogs back from lunch, ready to bust our butts doing what we do best. Yeah, I think, watching Billy heave the heavy sledgehammer up over his shoulder and bring it crashing down on a large piece of granite, he’s going to do just fine. He’s a sandhog. It’s in his blood. ABOUT THE AUTHORS HANK EDWARDS is the author of the novel, Fluffers, Inc., a humorous erotic mystery. His stories have been published in Honcho, 100% Beef and American Bear, as well as in various anthologies. He lives in a suburb of Detroit with his partner of many years. Visit his website at www.hankedwardsbooks.com. PEPPER ESPINOZA works full time as an author and parttime as a college instructor. She has published with Amber Quill Press, Liquid Silver Books and Samhain Publishing. You can find more information about her work at pepperverse.net.

• From The Decameron (1353)

  The lady, who desired nothing better, was not slow to obey her husband in this and accordingly, arising, embraced Tedaldo, as the other ladies had done, and gave him joyous welcome. This liberality of Aldobrandino was mighty pleasing to Tedaldo's brothers and to every man and woman there, and thereby all suspect[189] that had been aroused in the minds of some by the words aforesaid was done away. Then, every one having given Tedaldo joy, he with his own hands rent the black clothes on his brothers' backs and the sad-coloured on those of his sisters and kinswomen and would have them send after other apparel, which whenas they had donned, they gave themselves to singing and dancing and other diversions galore; wherefore the banquet, which had had a silent beginning had a loud-resounding ending. Thereafter, with the utmost mirth, they one and all repaired, even as they were, to Tedaldo's house, where they supped that night, and on this wise they continued to feast several days longer. [Footnote 189: Lit. despite, rancour (_rugginuzza_), but the phrase appears to refer to the suspicions excited by the whispers that had been current, as above mentioned, of the connection between Ermellina and Tedaldo.] The Florentines awhile regarded Tedaldo with amazement, as a man risen from the dead; nay, in many an one's mind, and even in that of his brethren, there abode a certain faint doubt an he were indeed himself and they did not yet thoroughly believe it, nor belike had they believed it for a long time to come but for a chance which made them clear who the murdered man was which was on this wise. There passed one day before their house certain footmen[190] of Lunigiana, who, seeing Tedaldo, made towards him and said, 'Give you good day, Faziuolo.' Whereto Tedaldo in his brothers' presence answered, 'You mistake me.' The others, hearing him speak, were abashed and cried him pardon, saying, 'Forsooth you resemble, more than ever we saw one man favour another, a comrade of ours called Faziuolo of Pontremoli, who came hither some fortnight or more agone, nor could we ever since learn what is come of him. Indeed, we marvelled at the dress, for that he was a soldier, even as we are.' Tedaldo's elder brother, hearing this, came forward and enquired how this Faziuolo had been clad. They told him and it was found to have been punctually as they said; wherefore, what with these and what with other tokens, it was known for certain that he who had been slain was Faziuolo and not Tedaldo, and all doubt of the latter[191] accordingly departed [the minds of] his brothers and of every other. Tedaldo, then, being returned very rich, persevered in his love and the lady falling out with him no more, they long, discreetly dealing, had enjoyment of their love. God grant us to enjoy ours!" [Footnote 190: _i.e._ foot-soldiers.] [Footnote 191: _i.e._ of his identity.] THE EIGHTH STORY [Day the Third]