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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.
the TV screen won’t stop talking…my poem
I don’t watch TV
“lovers will caress such words…”…“such as…”, my poem
lips that kiss the tune
“does she sing in silence…”…“adoro,” my poem
speaking of angels
time is different near the sea
John Steinbeck sez so…
“…some part is ocean?…”…“my sand,” my poem
the ocean part of me
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.
Tabula Rasa: Volume 1…book review
John McPhee cleared the decks
Stonehenge…the stones know…my poem
fingers of the gods
The Pioneers by David McCullough…book review
bona fide McCullough, erudite prose
“…and hides our dreams…”…“dew not,” my poem
Away, you foggy dew!
“see the new possible…”…“caper,” my poem
those silent promises
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.
“…and dipped in folly…”
only Poe knows how to say it…
No one remembers “The Six Grandfathers”
…except the Lakota Sioux
Book review: “Bartleby, the Scrivener”
Loneliness, almost unspeakable…
You’re down to one piece of bread…
…would you share it with anybody?
Movie review: Same Time, Next Year
all-American adultery, oh yeah…
Book review: Moral Tribes by Joshua Greene
sincere, but off the mark…
Book review: The Scarlet Letter
the beating hearts…by Nathaniel Hawthorne
“Fishering,” by Brian Doyle
…being open to life…
A quote from General Custer
Hint: something to do with Indians…
Book review: Lord of the Flies
Never more relevant…