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Stop running…(Guillaume Apollinaire, a quote)

by | March 21, 2026 | Reflections, Reviews of other poets, Tidbits | 0 Comments

…look around…

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Newspapers and Democracy (book review)

by | March 19, 2026 | American history, Book reviews, Books, History, Politics, Power and inequality | 0 Comments

a museum piece about “the free press”

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old books, souvenirs of thought…my poem

by | March 17, 2026 | Books, Joys of reading, My poetry, Poetry | 0 Comments

live in the past

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The Mother Tongue, Bill Bryson’s version

by | March 15, 2026 | Book reviews, Books, Joys of reading, Language | 0 Comments

So much believable detail

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that “frolic architecture”…Emerson quote

by | March 12, 2026 | Language, Reviews of other poets, Tidbits | 0 Comments

sometimes he grabbed the best words

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Poetry, book reviews, reflections, and straight talk by Editor and Author Richard Subber.

Book Reviews
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Poetry

History

Books

Politics

Tidbits

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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