I think this is my favorite of Ransome’s poems. When I read it I am transported back almost twenty years to my Traditions of Lyric Poetry class with Dr Wegemer. I still love that word “transmogrifying,” which I first read in a...
Dead Boy by John Crowe Ransom The little cousin is dead, by foul subtraction, A green bough from Virginia’s aged tree, And none of the county kin like the transaction, Nor some of the world of outer dark, like me. A boy not beautiful, nor...
I “met” John Crowe Ransom when I took a course in Modern Southern Literature (exclusive of Faulkner) with Dr Louis Cowan at the University of Dallas. There are three poems I always think of in connection with him. They all involve...
[“The lamps are burning in the synagogue…”] By Charles Reznikoff “The lamps are burning in the synagogue, in the houses of study, in dark alleys. . .” This should be the place. This is the way the guide-book describes it. Excuse...
Proserpina by Dante Gabriel Rossetti The Pomegranate by Eavan Boland The only legend I have ever loved is the story of a daughter lost in hell. And found and rescued there. Love and blackmail are the gist of it. Ceres and Persephone the names. And...
Since I’m on the subject of poetry lately, I thought I’d mention a couple of books the kids got for Christmas. Or to be more specific, that Sophie got for Christmas. Hist Whist by e.e. cummings, illustrated by Deborah Kogan Ray. I wrote...
Another find from Sally Thomas that seems to fit perfectly with the Epiphany season. an excerpt from FOR THE TIME BEING: A Christmas Oratorio by W.H. Auden III Narrator Well, so that is that. Now we must dismantle the tree, Putting the decorations...
Bella has decided she wants to have a number club. She and Ben and Sophie will all practice writing their numbers together. Ben has decided he wants to learn to write so he’s on board. Sophie is more interested in letters today. Lucy just...
Here’s yet another Epiphany poem. I guess it’s going to be the theme this week. I keep having great poems plopped into my lap. Too good not to share. I love Richard Wilbur and hadn’t seen this one before. I know I’ve shared...
CREDO: Professing the Creed beyond the Year of Faith AND HIS KINGDOM WILL HAVE NO END by Kate Wicker Preface: When Melanie first approached me about “adopting” a phrase of the creed and writing about its meaning, “and his kingdom will...
