Poetry and insights
I’m in love with words, and I love to use the right words to create poems that have clarity and character. I think of my work as “literal poetry.” I don’t put my pen down until I’ve said exactly what I feel, exactly what I mean to say, so that you, as the reader or listener, will have no doubt about it. I want to write poems that don’t need to be explained—what you see is what it is. I want to write poems that express deep human emotions, and very thoughtful observations, and very precise meanings. I am a poet, a writer, a teacher, a moralist, a historian and an unflinching student of human nature. I think a lot. I strive to express truth and give context—both rational and emotional—to reality. I think words can be pictures, and lovely songs, and bodacious scents, and private flavors, and early morning caresses that wake each part of me, one at a time. I know some of those words, and, from time to time, I write some of them.
the third kind… “Arrival,” movie review
the aliens talk, will you listen?
“…to expose a thought entire…”… “Cipher,” my poem
I tell only you
“…these languid clouds…”… “Vigil,” my poem
rending the clouds
Are you Punch or Judy?
sit back and listen…
the other you…”Looky here,” my poem
another point of view
Book Reviews and insights
Reading is part of my life. Old books are companions—they have a palpable essence that will never be duplicated in an eBook reader. I can live with books, inter librorum copias. I don’t read too many novels, although I’m partial to 19th century American and English writers like Dickens and Hawthorne and O. Henry. I’m happy when I’m reading aloud. I wish that I may live long enough to read at least most of the books in my library.
American Bonds: How Credit Markets Shaped a Nation (book review)
a big part of the American story
Foragers, Farmers, and Fossil Fuels…book review
Ian Morris talks energy
T. S. Eliot and “the hollow men”
Less than meets the eye…
The Book of War: 25 Centuries of Great War Writing…book review
the hurt and heroics and degradation
Heart of Darkness…book review
Joseph Conrad’s deep dive
Historical insights
I think it’s difficult to be a sensitive and sensible human being without some knowledge of history and its enduring elements. An insufficient understanding of history is an impediment to decent participation in human society. I am particularly intrigued by the systematic methods of the French Annalistes to examine the deep structures (longues durées) of history. Awareness and understanding of history allows us to create and sustain a mindful context for our past and present adventures.
American Bonds: How Credit Markets Shaped a Nation (book review)
a big part of the American story
Foragers, Farmers, and Fossil Fuels…book review
Ian Morris talks energy
The Book of War: 25 Centuries of Great War Writing…book review
the hurt and heroics and degradation
Twilight of the Elites…book review
Our elites are corrupt, they can’t stop themselves…
Friends Divided…off the mark, a book review
not Gordon Wood’s best
Eye of the Needle…desperate but human…movie review
living and dying
Battle of Wits…crypto in WWII…book review
surprise! personalities were important…
The Witches, 1692…book review
a community gone crazy…
Cave of Bones…Homo naledi…book review
there were more of us…
Origins of Modern America, 1860-1900…book review
The Gilded Age, not very pretty…
Politics: thoughts and insights
Yelling isn’t my style. I am a committed and, I think, well-informed liberal progressive. It’s my intention to avoid presenting any political commentaries that are doctrinaire, abusive, deliberately hateful or contrary to “…a decent respect to the opinions of mankind…” Maybe you’ll recognize those words from the Declaration of Independence. I respect the value and the necessity of dedicated support for the preservation of the public good. I’m willing to offer my considerations of what constitutes the public good.
American Bonds: How Credit Markets Shaped a Nation (book review)
a big part of the American story
Foragers, Farmers, and Fossil Fuels…book review
Ian Morris talks energy
Twilight of the Elites…book review
Our elites are corrupt, they can’t stop themselves…
Friends Divided…off the mark, a book review
not Gordon Wood’s best
the kings that sit on the ground…
Book of Sirach, 10:5, KJV
Origins of Modern America, 1860-1900…book review
The Gilded Age, not very pretty…
“…righteousness and peace have kissed each other…”
what a great idea!
Essays Toward a Historical Theory of Big Business
The Essential Alfred Chandler…book review
21 Lessons for the 21st Century…book review
Yuval Harari is a teacher
How do you lose power?…Thomas Hutchinson quote
try looking in the mirror…
Tidbits
Occasional items that tickle your funny bone, or point your mind in a new direction, or invite you to stop for a moment and listen to what your heart is telling you.
the third kind… “Arrival,” movie review
the aliens talk, will you listen?
Foragers, Farmers, and Fossil Fuels…book review
Ian Morris talks energy
Are you Punch or Judy?
sit back and listen…
a black southerner said…
what do you think she said?
Body Heat, the movie…a review
humanity in full view…
Heart of Darkness…book review
Joseph Conrad’s deep dive
Twilight of the Elites…book review
Our elites are corrupt, they can’t stop themselves…
“…the tongue is a fire…”…James 3:6
how does it taste?
“The prayer of the humble…”… Sirach, 35:17
give it a try
Eye of the Needle…desperate but human…movie review
living and dying