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.
“way up there,” that bird…my poem
her pacific view
The Brothers…Civil War storytelling
Jan Kovarik tells the story
lean back and listen…my poem
a few tinkling keys
P. G. Wodehouse—we miss you!
…and so say Bertie Wooster and Jeeves…
“a great temple of all the gods…” (Seneca)
from his Epistles
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 Paris Wife…book review
Hemingway wasn’t really a nice fella…
Cave of Bones…Homo naledi…book review
there were more of us…
The Rubayyat of Omar Khayyam…book review
…not my favorite classic…
Origins of Modern America, 1860-1900…book review
The Gilded Age, not very pretty…
She, a great lady…book review
H. Rider Haggard’s African queen
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.
No one remembers “The Six Grandfathers”
…except the Lakota Sioux
Red, White, and Black: The Peoples of Early North America (book review)
the invaders were the problem, says Gary Nash
Fire in the Lake (book review)
you should have read it in 1972…
On the Beach by Nevil Shute (book review)
It isn’t out of date…
Book review: The Lost History of Stars
Dave Boling’s delicate story about a girl in a brutal war
Book review: Address Unknown
A friendship corrupted by Nazi hatred before WWII…
Book review: Mila 18
horrific truth by Leon Uris
Book review: The Map of Knowledge
a slo-mo version of Fahrenheit 451, by Violet Moller
Book review: The British Are Coming
Rick Atkinson’s new study…
Book review: The End of Greatness
Aaron David Miller comes up short…
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.
Lessons in Chemistry…getting started…book review
Scientists in every bathroom
“…righteousness and peace have kissed each other…”
what a great idea!
“…fill one’s life with meaning…”…The Chosen (quote)
Chaim Potok talks about hard work
Emperor of the North…movie review
“You had the juice, kid…”
How do you lose power?…Thomas Hutchinson quote
try looking in the mirror…
philosophy is in the doing…
try doing some today
Billy Elliot…movie review
clap-your-hands dancing…
With the Old Breed…book review
the prayers of E. B. Sledge, a warfighter
The best portion of your life…
A quote from William Wordsworth
Scent of a Woman (movie review)
an endearing gift…and Pacino’s only Oscar