Langston Hughes’s “Weary Blues” seems an appropriate poem for Labor Day.
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Monthly Archives: August 2025
Singin’ the Blues on Labor Day
Posted in Uncategorized Tagged "Weary Blues", jazz, Labor Day, Langston Hughes, Singing the Blues Comments closed
Instructions on Caring for One’s Soul
Living at a time when many are putting their souls at risk, here’s a Joseph Fasano poem on how to reconnect with and nurture the soul.
Posted in Uncategorized Tagged “Instructions for Having a Soul", Christopher Marlowe, Doctor Faustus, Joseph Fasano, soul nurturing Comments closed
What Your Mum and Dad Do to You
Adrian Mitchell claps back against Philip Larkin’s “They fuck you up, your mum and dad.” While he lacks Larkin’s bite, he captures my own upbringing much better.
Posted in Uncategorized Tagged "This Be the Verse", “This Be the Worst", Adrian Mitchell, Child rearing, Philip Larkin Comments closed
Newsom, Swift, and Parody’s Power
Gavin Newsom’s parodies of Donald Trump tweets are reminiscent of Swift’s attack on an 18th century fortuneteller in “The Bickerstaff Papers.”
Posted in Uncategorized Tagged Bickerstaff Papers, Donald Trump, Gavin Newsom, Isaac Bickerstaff, Jonathan Swift, Mark Twain, Mysterious Stranger, parody Comments closed
My Intense Interactions with Lit
In which I address a set of questions that get at the intensity of the literature reading experience.
Posted in Uncategorized Comments closed
Sade and Trump’s Sadopopulism
Fascism experts are describing Trump’s politics as sadopopulism. The Marquis de Sade provides some insights into the dynamics at play.
Posted in Uncategorized Tagged Donald Trump, Juliette, MAGA, Marquis de Sade, sadopopulism, Timothy Snyder Comments closed
Lifted and Straightened
Exploring the Jesus healing story of the woman crippled by a spirit for 18 years, Lory Hess sees it as a call to find the kingdom of god within.
Posted in Uncategorized Tagged “Daughter of Abraham", Jesus's healing ministry, Lory Hess Comments closed
Following the Steps of Haiku Master Basho
Following the footsteps of Matsuo Basho, the 17th century haiku master.
Posted in Uncategorized Tagged haikus, Matsuo Basho, Narrow Road to Oku, Patrick Logan, Tu Fu Comments closed