Monthly Archives: December 2023

For the New Year, Honor the Overlooked

By Robin Bates | Published: December 31, 2023

In this New Year’s poem, Appleman celebrates those who collect our garbage.

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This Clean Moment before the New Year

By Robin Bates | Published: December 30, 2023

Note: If you wish to receive, via e-mail, (1) my weekly newsletter or (2) daily copies of these posts, notify me at [email protected] and indicate which you would like. I promise not to share your e-mail address with anyone. To unsubscribe, send me a follow-up email. Sunday On this New Year’s Eve I post a Kenneth Patchen poem […]

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The Novel that Moved Me the Most in 2023

By Robin Bates | Published: December 28, 2023

Through O’Farrell’s “Hamnet,” I found myself mourning my own son.

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GOP Politicians as Dickens Villains

By Robin Bates | Published: December 27, 2023

Certain GOP pols are behaving like Dickens villains when it comes to the poor.

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Returning to Evening-Rest and Sleep

By Robin Bates | Published: December 26, 2023

Tolkien has several versions of the poem Bilbo writes about returning home.

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Sebald’s “Austerlitz” and Fascism’s Rise

By Robin Bates | Published: December 25, 2023

Sebald’s novel “Austerlitz” provides insights to fascism than anticipate Trump.

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Christmas at Cohen’s Garage

By Robin Bates | Published: December 24, 2023

Scott Bates updates the birth of Jesus, having him born in a gas station.

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Mary’s Moment of Choice

By Robin Bates | Published: December 23, 2023

Levertov’s “Annunciation” and a Christmas Eve message.

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A Tornado Story with a Happy Ending

By Robin Bates | Published: December 21, 2023

A Tennessee family’s recent run-in with a tornado has some resemblances to “The Wizard of Oz.”

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