Tag Archives: A. E. Housman

Poetry Is Stupid (But Will Save Your Life)

By Robin Bates | Published: January 18, 2013

Reading poetry is a life insurance policy for when things go bad, Housman tells us.

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Young People Fighting Old People’s Wars

By Robin Bates | Published: May 31, 2010

Memorial Day Today we honor our soldiers killed in the line of duty.  Many of them were idealistic, most of them were young.  I offer up today an enigmatic poem by A.E. Housman that captures, in an understated way, the tragedy of their deaths.  The poem is unusual in that it talks about soldiers having a choice. […]

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On Cherry Trees and Time Passing

By Robin Bates | Published: April 6, 2010

The ornamental cherry trees on St. Mary’s College campus are in full bloom at the moment.  Few moments of the spring are more beautiful.  I remember the shock a number of years ago when a beaver moved into the area and took them all down.  The animal was deported, new trees were planted, and now […]

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