Poetry and insights
I’m in love with words, and I love to use the right words to create poems that have clarity and character. I think of my work as “literal poetry.” I don’t put my pen down until I’ve said exactly what I feel, exactly what I mean to say, so that you, as the reader or listener, will have no doubt about it. I want to write poems that don’t need to be explained—what you see is what it is. I want to write poems that express deep human emotions, and very thoughtful observations, and very precise meanings. I am a poet, a writer, a teacher, a moralist, a historian and an unflinching student of human nature. I think a lot. I strive to express truth and give context—both rational and emotional—to reality. I think words can be pictures, and lovely songs, and bodacious scents, and private flavors, and early morning caresses that wake each part of me, one at a time. I know some of those words, and, from time to time, I write some of them.
“…the prayers of the millions…”…John Steinbeck’s view
what does God listen to?
a noisy monster…“It was red,” my poem
when the stars were younger
Natural Life with No Parole…book review
Sarah Rossiter, “joy is like that”
the tree, you, the artist…“morph,” my poem
the tree gives up the leaf
“…walk on fire for you…”…”Blaze,” my love poem
each next step so easy…
Book Reviews and insights
Reading is part of my life. Old books are companions—they have a palpable essence that will never be duplicated in an eBook reader. I can live with books, inter librorum copias. I don’t read too many novels, although I’m partial to 19th century American and English writers like Dickens and Hawthorne and O. Henry. I’m happy when I’m reading aloud. I wish that I may live long enough to read at least most of the books in my library.
Natural Life with No Parole…book review
Sarah Rossiter, “joy is like that”
John Adams…book review
David McCullough tells a good story of a good life
“This book is worthless”
This ain’t your daddy’s book review…
The Last White Man…book review
less than meets the eye
The Donkeys…book review
remembering World War I
Historical insights
I think it’s difficult to be a sensitive and sensible human being without some knowledge of history and its enduring elements. An insufficient understanding of history is an impediment to decent participation in human society. I am particularly intrigued by the systematic methods of the French Annalistes to examine the deep structures (longues durées) of history. Awareness and understanding of history allows us to create and sustain a mindful context for our past and present adventures.
John Adams…book review
David McCullough tells a good story of a good life
Old Henry…a movie review
speaking of Billy the Kid
The Donkeys…book review
remembering World War I
Night by Elie Wiesel…book review
his first story about the camps
Mayflower: A Story of Courage, Community, and War…book review
the Pilgrims weren’t happy, says Nathaniel Philbrick
Facing East from Indian Country (book review)
Another point of view from Daniel K. Richter
The Bombing of Auschwitz…yay or nay? book review
it was a hard call…
The History of the American Revolution…book review
David Ramsay served in the war
Our Ancient Faith…book review
not really a Lincoln book
The Brothers…Civil War storytelling
Jan Kovarik tells the story
Politics: thoughts and insights
Yelling isn’t my style. I am a committed and, I think, well-informed liberal progressive. It’s my intention to avoid presenting any political commentaries that are doctrinaire, abusive, deliberately hateful or contrary to “…a decent respect to the opinions of mankind…” Maybe you’ll recognize those words from the Declaration of Independence. I respect the value and the necessity of dedicated support for the preservation of the public good. I’m willing to offer my considerations of what constitutes the public good.
John Adams…book review
David McCullough tells a good story of a good life
The Donkeys…book review
remembering World War I
A Room of One’s Own…book review
A Virginia Woolf story
Mayflower: A Story of Courage, Community, and War…book review
the Pilgrims weren’t happy, says Nathaniel Philbrick
Facing East from Indian Country (book review)
Another point of view from Daniel K. Richter
The Bombing of Auschwitz…yay or nay? book review
it was a hard call…
Our Ancient Faith…book review
not really a Lincoln book
“machines are ahead of morals”…Truman said it
morals playing catch up…
American Bonds: How Credit Markets Shaped a Nation (book review)
a big part of the American story
Foragers, Farmers, and Fossil Fuels…book review
Ian Morris talks energy
Tidbits
Occasional items that tickle your funny bone, or point your mind in a new direction, or invite you to stop for a moment and listen to what your heart is telling you.
“…the prayers of the millions…”…John Steinbeck’s view
what does God listen to?
Old Henry…a movie review
speaking of Billy the Kid
“…the boy climbs to me…”…“A man’s job,” my poem
making a Christmas
Sarah Orne Jewett: Novels and Stories…book review
…an old fisherman’s tears…
Roosters scream to start the day…
why is that?
Atonement…movie and book review
my life is my penance
“truth lies open for all…”
Seneca the Younger said it
humans share food, with people they like
“Grace,” my poem
Night by Elie Wiesel…book review
his first story about the camps
“duchess with a bird”…my poem
her new universe…