Wonderland or Not » poetry

Of Peace On Earth Good Will to Men

cooper — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 04:40:34 +0000

I’ve drifted to sleep this week to Ken Burns, The Civil War.

The photos gave me pause.

We killed each other well, we did.

On a somewhat related note, this is our National Poetry Month, and this is a brief note on a poem.

Christmas Bells was a Civil War poem before it was a Christmas Carol. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote this poem on Christmas Day 1864 — subsequent to his 17 year old son’s surreptitious enlistment in the Union Army, and after his son suffered serious injury. The poem was published in 1865 and not set to music until 1872.

Letting The River Run

cooper — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 00:04:22 +0000

Sifting through a 2006 David Foster Wallace essay on Roger Federer in NYT Play, Federer as Religious Experience, I realize that this internet is good for some things. Recently finding old David Foster Wallace pieces is one of those things. I can come to no conclusion as to the benefits, if any, this realization provides me.

Question of the week.

How many people still eat at McDonald’s? I can’t believe with all we know people still eat that stuff. Not only is it full of fat but it’s most likely full of antibiotics and steroids as well. I will judge you because good sense defies eating that stuff, but feel free to opine on the poison which in my opinion is McDonald’s food.

I’m serving sushi and hot and spicy salad for the game tonight, so feel free to stop by.

insidious
the radiation that won’t be plugged
its seepage like mucus
from an unyielding virus

hideous
the world who contemplates
as death accelerates
on roads crowded, then crimson,
from the mindless killing

Your god
so willing

[See post to listen to audio]

International Women’s Day 2011

cooper — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 05:50:33 +0000

Today is international women’s day.

I can think of no more worthy a celebration than to sit down to a glass of wine (cocoa, tea, beer, cranberry juice), while reading the poetry of Edna St. Vincent Millay. My acquaintance with her is slight, by way of Witch Wife and First Fig. I am rectifying that by downloading A Few Figs From Thistles to my Kindle.

THURSDAY

AND if I loved you Wednesday,
Well, what is that to you?
I do not love you Thursday–
So much is true.

And why you come complaining
Is more than I can see.
I loved you Wednesday,–yes–but what
Is that to me?

Edna St. Vincent Millay

A worthy read for those who have not read this early feminist and award winning poet.

The Kindle Version is avaiable at no cost, click on the book, or you can read the collection here.

Whether from your blogroll or your bookshelf, read a woman today.

peace