Whenever I’m asked, “Why read Hopkins?” I have no clue how to answer. I stumble through something about his view of language with his elaborate internal rhymes and chiming of words influenced by Welsh poetry. Or maybe I turn to the solace of his line that the “mind has mountains.” Or the decade and more that … More All Shall Be Well
‘O Death, Death’ O Death, Death, He is come. O grounds of Hell make room. Who came from further than the stars Now comes as low beneath. Thy ribbèd ports, O Death Make wide; and Thou, O Lord of Sin, Lay open thine estates. Lift up your heads, O Gates; Be ye lift up, ye […]
“The Dark Morning” This is the black day when Fog rides the ugly air: Water wades among the buildings To the prisonder’s curled ear. The rain, in thin sentences, Slakes him like danger, Whose heart is his Germany Fevered with anger. This is the dark day when Locks let the enemy in Through all the […]
There have been far too few Kirk hugs on here lately. I think everyone needs one. And here’s something else open-armed and consoling from America’s bard (yes we have a bard), Walt Whitman: I will plant companionship thick as trees along all the rivers of America, and along the shores of the great lakes, and … More This Kirk Hug is for You
Whenever I’m asked, “Why read Hopkins?” I have no clue how to answer. I stumble through something about his view of language with his elaborate internal rhymes and chiming of words influenced by Welsh poetry. Or maybe I turn to the solace of his line that the “mind has mountains.” Or the decade and more that … More All Shall Be Well
This time on Top Ten Tuesday, hosted by The Broke and Bookish, is all about bookish facts. I thought ten facts about me just wouldn’t be all that exciting, so my wife and editor is joining us today as we ask each other about some bookish facts. First I asked Kristen some questions: 1. Why … More 10 Bookish Facts about Us
Look. Ginsberg’s wandering “off down empty corridors / in search of a toilet.” His beard, his clothes, his speech are wild. Stand a moment and catch glimpses of his glimpses. But don’t look him in the eye; there’s a mystic fire gleaming there, and if you catch it, you’ll be like him. Hopkins is his … More 5 Poetic, and 1 Novelized, Failures Part 2
