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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.
“endless regret or secret happiness…”
quote from Sarah Orne Jewett
“…profoundly human noise…”
the buzz of the crowd (my poem) “
“Remembrances,” many half-thought fancies (poem)
thinking about things…
A Thousand Mornings…book review
rich Mary Oliver stuff, her poems
“Look at that”…my poem about a tree
it sure was something…
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.
What Orwell Didn’t Know…book review
the search for truth in words…
Red Brethren (book review)
David Silverman on “race” in early America
The Awakening and Selected Stories of Kate Chopin…book review
not much spark
words have physical feeling…a quote
from The Bridges of Madison County
Concept of the Corporation (book review)
Peter Drucker didn’t see the whole monster…
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.
Book review: American Colonies
So many and so much came before the Pilgrims…
Book review: Shantung Compound
They didn’t care much about each other…
A poet is a “maker”
…and it doesn’t have to rhyme…
Book review: American Scripture: Making the Declaration of Independence
…it didn’t start the Revolution.
The “dime novels” popular in the Civil War
Think Kit Carson and the lads…
Book review: Forced Founders
Woody Holton explains that Virginia’s “Founding Fathers” had patriotism, and some other stuff, on their minds….
Book review: An Empire Divided
King George and his ministers never tried hard enough to win the Revolutionary 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.
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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 true, the beautiful…
just take a walk…says Anne Lamott
singing the easy tunes…“la cage,” my poem
I think I had a thought…
“before it’s light…”…my poem
get started again…
No Constitutional Right to be Ladies…book review
Linda Kerber drills down…
“…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