Monthly Archives: October 2012

Still Falls the (Drone-Delivered) Rain

By Robin Bates | Published: October 22, 2012

As the U.S. steps up drone attacks, Edith Sitwell reminds us of the psychological cost to ourselves.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged "Still Falls the Rain", bombing, drone attacks, Edith Sitwell, World War II | Comments closed

Rain Soft as the Fall of Moccasins

By Robin Bates | Published: October 21, 2012

Describing the slaughter of the buffalo herds by whites, Mary Oliver draws on Sioux religion to imagine them as not altogether gone.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged buffalo, ghosts, Mary Oliver, Nature, nature religions, Sioux | Comments closed

How Beowulf Can Save America – Free upload for 5 days

By Robin Bates | Published: October 20, 2012

If you have a Kindle, beginning tomorrow (Sunday) you can upload for free How Beowulf Can Save America:An Epic Hero’s Guide to Defeating the Politics of Rage. Kindle allows authors to offer their ebooks free of charge for five days so the offer will last through Thursday (Oct. 25). Please take advantage yourself and let other people […]

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Oh, Captain! Is Jeter’s Fearful Trip Done?

By Robin Bates | Published: October 20, 2012

Seeing “the Captain” Derek Jeter break his ankle conjures up Whitman’s “captain” poem.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged "Oh Captain My Captain", Baltimore Ravens, Baseball, Derek Jeter, New York Yankees, Ray Lewis, Sports, Walt Whitman | Comments closed

A Hunchback Dreams of Swallows

By Robin Bates | Published: October 19, 2012

In this Scott Bates poem, a dream of flying frees us from life’s frustrations.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged "Hunchback Who Thought He Was a Swallow", Birds, flight, Scott Bates | Comments closed

Prez Keeps Head While Others Lose Theirs

By Robin Bates | Published: October 18, 2012

Obama, taking a cue from Kipling and maybe Edward Rowland Sill, bounced back in Tuesday’s debate.

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Catch-22, Election Edition

By Robin Bates | Published: October 17, 2012

“Catch 22” captures a number of the contradictions in the 2012 election.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Afghanistan War, Catch 22, Election 2012, Joseph Heller, voter suppression | Comments closed

Finding Hope amidst the Growing Gloom

By Robin Bates | Published: October 16, 2012

Hardy’s “Darkling Thrush” conjures up hope in dark times.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged "Darkling Thrush", Depression, hope, pessimism, Thomas Hardy | Comments closed

Threatened by Female Empowerment

By Robin Bates | Published: October 15, 2012

Atwood’s “Handmaid’s Tale” addresses issues raised by the Taliban shooting of a Pakistani school girl and also speaks to our abortion fights.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Abortion, Handmaid's Tale, Malala Yousafzai, Margaret Atwood, Taliban, women's issues | Comments closed