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.
background noise, hear it?…my poem
try it without the phone…
The Book of Days…part l
nature poems about the dawn’s early light…
Moby-Dick and stuff…book talk
for bibliophiles and their friends…
“stop seeking the impossible…”…The Daily Stoic
commit to resisting the bad stuff
Hand me that hammer…my poem
we need to build bridges
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.
Moby-Dick and stuff…book talk
for bibliophiles and their friends…
Age Power…book review
Old people are who it’s all about…
Hand me that hammer…my poem
we need to build bridges
The Asking…some poetic insights…book review
Jane Hirshfield writes a lot of poems
Meditation for Fidgety Skeptics…book review
Dan Harris says “even one minute counts”
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 allow us to create and sustain a mindful context for our past and present adventures.
The Pioneers by David McCullough…book review
bona fide McCullough, erudite prose
No Constitutional Right to be Ladies…book review
Linda Kerber drills down…
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
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.
Age Power…book review
Old people are who it’s all about…
“stop seeking the impossible…”…The Daily Stoic
commit to resisting the bad stuff
Hand me that hammer…my poem
we need to build bridges
keep a watchful eye…and resist
do not let them go gentle…
The Pioneers by David McCullough…book review
bona fide McCullough, erudite prose
No Constitutional Right to be Ladies…book review
Linda Kerber drills down…
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
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.
“stop seeking the impossible…”…The Daily Stoic
commit to resisting the bad stuff
Hand me that hammer…my poem
we need to build bridges
treadmill thoughts…“and old sneakers,” my poem
the workout is good
Meditation for Fidgety Skeptics…book review
Dan Harris says “even one minute counts”
no kicking or biting…says Seneca
try talking it out…
The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie…movie review
Maggie Smith, nonstop…
Winesburg, Ohio…book review
it beats the Spoon River stuff…
Range: Why Generalists Triumph…book review
David Epstein says it’s OK to experiment
keep a watchful eye…and resist
do not let them go gentle…
friends can touch…my poem
“Touch,” brief moments…