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 Book of Days…part xxxxii
nature poems about the dawn’s early light…
you’re “it”!…my poem
whatever halcyon means…
Our Ancient Faith…book review
not really a Lincoln book
“we think dirt is dirty…”…my poem
“we tend to be messy…”
be a philosopher, sooner or later
a gentleman in Moscow did it
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.
“…a siren’s song…”…a new book, my poem
a symphony of words
Friends Divided…off the mark, a book review
not Gordon Wood’s best
Battle of Wits…crypto in WWII…book review
surprise! personalities were important…
The Witches, 1692…book review
a community gone crazy…
Scaramouche…boy gets girl…book review
Rafael Sabatini at his romantic best
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.
A Magnificent Catastrophe (the 1800 election, book review)
Edward Larson tells the nasty story
Empire of Liberty by Gordon Wood (book review)
there’s lots you don’t know…
The Unknown American Revolution (book review)
in the streets, says Gary Nash
The Urban Crucible, by Gary Nash (book review)
the revolution and the leather-apron crowd…
Golden Tales of New England (book review)
Some feel-good stories of the 19th century…
The Liberty Bell, a book review
Historian Gary Nash tells it all
New England Encounters (book review)
…the complex relations between Indians and colonists
The Witches: Salem, 1692 (book review)
…a community gone crazy…
Common Sense by Thomas Paine (comments)
it wasn’t strictly business, but…
The Future of News (book review)
…the blind managers of television, newspapers…
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.
“…be ready for every good work.”
real good advice
The Paris Wife…book review
Hemingway wasn’t really a nice fella…
Cave of Bones…Homo naledi…book review
there were more of us…
the kings that sit on the ground…
Book of Sirach, 10:5, KJV
To Serve Them All My Days…movie review
how to live a decent life
“A foolish consistency…”…Emerson quote
keep your mind open…
She, a great lady…book review
H. Rider Haggard’s African queen
The Woman at the Washington Zoo…book review
Marjorie Williams, straight from the heart
right or wrong? look deeper…
Karl Marlantes is worth reading…
Norma Rae…movie review
big hearts, gushing emotion