Category Archives: Uncategorized

In Ordinary Time, Search for Marvels

By Robin Bates | Published: January 10, 2026

In his Christmas Oratorio “For the Time Being,” Auden captures the power of the season of Epiphany.

By Robin Bates | Published: January 9, 2026

My recent bout with the flu has me revisiting Heart of Darkness. It may not be malaria but it’s plenty unpleasant.

By Robin Bates | Published: January 7, 2026

For anyone with a bad head cold, A. A. Milne’s “Sneezles” is the poem for you.

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By Robin Bates | Published: January 6, 2026

To understand the rewriting of Jan. 6 and the invasion of Venezuela, reread 1984.

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By Robin Bates | Published: January 5, 2026

An Atlanta article attacks utilitarian arguments for reading. I push back.

By Robin Bates | Published: January 4, 2026

Blake’s “The Grey Monk” captures everything that’s wrong about Trump’s Venezuela invasion.

By Robin Bates | Published: January 3, 2026

Godfrey Rust’s Feast of the Epiphany poem reveals love to be at the center of creation.

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By Robin Bates | Published: January 2, 2026

In which I look back at how I’ve grappled with racism over the years, along with the books that have helped me do so.

By Robin Bates | Published: December 31, 2025

Edgar Guest and Li-Young Lee capture our family gathering of this past week, both the joy of being together and the memories of those we have lost.