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.
“…without a bird…”…“More,” my poem
nudging still air…
“The ocean makes its thrum…”… “Ashore,” my poem
high tide at Beachmere Inn
“…the great brutes…” “Revelation,” my poem
another creature shambled near…
“…do not interrupt the music.” Book of Sirach 32:3
music soothes…
her cherub chatter…“and more…” my poem
The elfin miss delights in play…
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.
Stage Coach and Tavern Days (book review)
Sort of the good old days, maybe…
The Self-Made Man in America (book review)
Prof. Irvin Wyllie exposes the myth
John Adams (book review)
David McCullough tells a good story of a good life
What It Is Like to Go to War (book review)
Karl Marlantes tells the ugly story
American Poetry Observed: Poets on Their Work (book review)
more than I care to know…
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.
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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.
Book review: Moral Tribes by Joshua Greene
sincere, but off the mark…
Book review: The Scarlet Letter
the beating hearts…by Nathaniel Hawthorne
Review: The Iceman Cometh by Eugene O’Neill
A slow eruption of despair…
“Fishering,” by Brian Doyle
…being open to life…
A quote from General Custer
Hint: something to do with Indians…
“Whither,” a poem of wanton love…
they give without taking…
Book review: Lord of the Flies
Never more relevant…
Book review: Six Plays by Henrik Ibsen
…his bleak insight into human nature
Movie review: A Doll’s House
Ibsen’s classic on abuse…
Movie review: “Ethan Frome”
not being satisfied with less…