Category Archives: Uncategorized

Pratchett’s Response to Intolerance

By Robin Bates | Published: January 8, 2024

Pratchett’s Tiffany Aching novel “I Shall Wear Midnight” is a good counter to Christofascism.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Christofascism, I Shall Wear Midnight, MAGA, Terry Pratchett, Tiffany Aching, witches | Comments closed

Lit Heals By Keeping Us Off Balance

By Robin Bates | Published: January 8, 2024

Different literary techniques have been used over the centuries to keep us on our toes.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Dispossessed, Gulliver's Travels, Jonathan Swift, Left Hand of Darkness, Thomas More, Ursula K Le Guin, Utopia | Comments closed

Epiphany: Seeking Our Heart’s Desire

By Robin Bates | Published: January 6, 2024

In “Epiphany,” poet Dudley Delffs sees the star as our heart’s desire.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged "Journey of the Magi", Dudley Delffs, Epiphany, T. S. Eliot | Comments closed

Gilead Is Becoming a Reality

By Robin Bates | Published: January 4, 2024

Atwood’s Gilead is coming to pass as red states ramp up abortion restrictions, leading to horror stories.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged abortion policy, abortions, Handmaid's Tale, Margaret Atwood, Sophie's Choice, William Styron | Comments closed

Tales of Wood Splitting

By Robin Bates | Published: January 3, 2024

In which I reflect on gathering and chopping wood.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged "Out Out", "Woodpile", Bellows, John Steele, Robert Frost, Wood cutting, wood stoves | Comments closed

Crashing into Invisible Barriers

By Robin Bates | Published: January 2, 2024

In a poem about a bird’s death, Clifton may be talking about much more.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged “for the bird who flew against our window one morning and broke his natural neck”, Birds, birds crashing into windows, glass ceilings, Lucille Clifton, Prejudice | Comments closed

Nikki Haley, a Minor Character in 1984

By Robin Bates | Published: January 1, 2024

Nikki Haley reminds one of Tom Parsons in “1984.” Also of one of T.S. Eliot’s hollow men.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged "Hollow Men", 1984, authoritarianism, Donald Trump, George Orwell, Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock, Nikki Haley, T. S. Eliot | Comments closed

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.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged "To the Garbage Collectors in Bloomington Indiana, garbage collection, New Year's Day, Philip Appleman | Comments closed

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 […]

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments closed