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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.
“think about it”…my poem
don’t wait to be asked
Have you “…been made various…”?
George Eliot teaches us…(quote)
Golden Tales of New England…book review
Some feel-good stories of the 19th century…
“I know remembrance…”…“knowing,” my poem
what is the unknown?
The Greatest Sentence Ever Written…book review
it didn’t come 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.
The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie…book review
growing up is hard to do
The Bright Ages (book review)
A New History of Medieval Europe
Washington Square…book review
Henry James, less than meets the eye
Liespotting: Proven Techniques to Detect Deception
by Pamela Meyer (book review)
Breath of Joy…book review
breathing in, by Danna Faulds
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.
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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.
Stonehenge…the stones know…my poem
fingers of the gods
Are you working on the main thing?
maybe Michelangelo got distracted…
“…and hides our dreams…”…“dew not,” my poem
Away, you foggy dew!
Out of Africa…movie review
the lions know so much…
“see the new possible…”…“caper,” my poem
those silent promises
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?