Monthly Archives: April 2024

Remember My Eldest 24 Years Later

By Robin Bates | Published: April 29, 2024

A Mary Oliver poem about grieving as I remember my eldest, who died 24 years ago on this day.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged "No Voyage", Adonais, Alfred Lord Tennyson, Beowulf, death and grieving, death of a child, In Memoriam, John Milton, Lycidas, Mary Oliveer, Percy Shelley, T. S. Eliot, Waste Land | Leave a comment

Trumpian Darkness or True Light? Choose

By Robin Bates | Published: April 28, 2024

Trump and many of his fans twist themselves in the perpetual torment of their resentment and anger. Henry Vaughan describes their state in “The World.”

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged "World", Christopher Marlowe, Dante, Doctor Faustus, Donald Trump, Henry Vaughan, Inferno, Trump trials | Leave a comment

When Shepherds Fail Their Flocks

By Robin Bates | Published: April 27, 2024

The Bible has multiple passages about shepherds who fail their sheep/ congregations. These two poems by Guite and Moss do the same.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged "Good Shepherd", "I Am the Good Shepherd", Church abuse, Church corruption, Falling church attendance, Good Shepherd Sunday, Malcolm Guite, Stanley Moss | Leave a comment

Would Willy Loman Be a Trump Supporter?

By Robin Bates | Published: April 25, 2024

Donald Trump as Willy Loman? Well, both are dreamers. Only one of them, however, is cruel.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged American Dream, Arthur Miller, conmen, Death of a Salesman, Donald Trump | Leave a comment

Toad and Trumpian Politics

By Robin Bates | Published: April 24, 2024

Many of Trump’s primary opponents have behaved like Toad after a motor car runs over his gypsy caravan.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged 2016 election, Kenneth Grahame, polarization politics, Ted Cruz, wind in the willows | Leave a comment

A Thieves Guild to Manage Crime

By Robin Bates | Published: April 23, 2024

Pratchett uses his Thieves Guild to satirize those who think perfection in our society is achievable.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged crime in America, crime prevention, Guards! Guards!, Terry Pratchett | Leave a comment

The House Speaker’s Théoden Moment

By Robin Bates | Published: April 22, 2024

House Speaker Mike Johnson had a Théoden moment when it came to Ukraine aid. I explore the parallels.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Congress, Donald Trump, J.R.R. Tolkien, Lord of the Rings, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Michael Johnson, Ukraine, Ukraine aid, Vladimir Putin | Leave a comment

The World Calls to You Like Wild Geese

By Robin Bates | Published: April 21, 2024

For Earth Day, an Oliver poem that lays out the first principle of environmental activism: love the earth.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged "Wild Geese", Earth Day, Environmental movement, Environmentalism, Mary Oliver | Leave a comment

Ask Not for Whom the Bush Burns

By Robin Bates | Published: April 20, 2024

In this Passover poem, Chaya Lester calls us to have the courage to leave traumatic relationships.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged "Hear the Call", "Passover", abusive relationships, Chaya Lester, Exodus, trauma | Leave a comment