Monthly Archives: July 2011

Whitman & Hughes Hear America Singing

By Robin Bates | Published: July 4, 2011

Today, for July 4, I offer up two ultra-American poems. Walt Whitman embraces multitudes” in “I Hear America Singing,” and Langston Hughes, in an addendum, mentions some of those Americans that, in the past, have been forgotten. May we all remember that America is astounding in its willingness to open itself to all people.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments closed

When God’s Call Feels Like a Burden

By Robin Bates | Published: July 3, 2011

“Collar” works as a triple pun—a clerical collar, a prisoner’s collar, and “choler.” Why, for all that I have done, am I only harvesting a thorn, George Herbert cries out in the poem by that name. Why am I still standing in suit to God when I could simply turn my back on it all?

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Comments closed

In Life as in Poker, Trust What You Know

By Robin Bates | Published: July 2, 2011

Novelist Rachel Kranz talks about trust, both in poker and novel writing. Once you have the knowledge and the skill, she says, what remains is trusting yourself.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Comments closed

Top Gun Takes Down Grendel’s Mom

By Robin Bates | Published: July 1, 2011

An unexpected parallel between “Beowulf” and the Tom Cruse film “Top Gun” has given me new appreciation for the 8th century Anglo-Saxon epic and a deeper insight into how at least some guys in the military handle grief.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Comments closed