Monthly Archives: July 2012

The Spirit’s Table Has Arrived from Heaven

By Robin Bates | Published: July 22, 2012

In this Ramadan poem by Rumi, fasting is seen as a way of escaping the body.

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Tennis Playing–and Writing–at Its Finest

By Robin Bates | Published: July 21, 2012

David Foster Wallace’s ode to Roger Federer comes the closest to capturing his beautiful game.

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Poetry, a Lifeline for the Desperate

By Robin Bates | Published: July 20, 2012

In Lee Chang Dong’s “Poetry,” an old woman poetry as a way to address the overwhelming challenges of her life.

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Drought and the Human War on Nature

By Robin Bates | Published: July 19, 2012

Pueblo novelistLeslie Marmon Silko finds a combination of spiritual, psychological and economic explanations for drought.

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A Snake That Refused To Be Used

By Robin Bates | Published: July 18, 2012

This Scott Bates looks at Pentecostal snake handlers from the snake’s point of view.

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Head for the Territories, a U.S. Fantasy

By Robin Bates | Published: July 17, 2012

When politics become harsh, we still dream, like Huck, of lighting out for the Territory.

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The Rich Are Different from You and Me

By Robin Bates | Published: July 16, 2012

Fitzgerald’s insights into the rich help us understand Mitt Romney (and John F. Kennedy also).

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Like a Reed, Open Yourself to God’s Breath

By Robin Bates | Published: July 15, 2012

Rumi says that Ramadan is a time when, by emptying our bellies, we open up a path to spirit.

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Joe Paterno, a Modern Day Oedipus

By Robin Bates | Published: July 14, 2012

The lessons of the Sophocles play “Oedipus” can be applied to disgraced Penn State coach Joe Paterno.

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