“I envy paranoids; they actually feel people are paying attention to them.” (1) Susan Sontag, one of the most prominent New York intellectuals of her generation, was a writer and political activist, born on 16 January 1933 (she died of leukaemia just two weeks before her 72nd birthday) When she was fourteen years old, she… Read More Susan Sontag
After “Trees” (see here) Joyce Kilmer continued with his regular rhyme schemes. For example, his poem “In Memory” (1917) contained these beautiful lines: Love is made out of ecstasy and wonder;Love is a poignant and accustomed pain.It is a burst of Heaven-shaking thunder;It is a linnet’s fluting after rain. (1) … and also parodies (see… Read More Kilmer: A Selection of Parodies
“A mind not to be changed by place or time.The mind is its own place, and in itselfCan make a heav’n of hell, a hell of heav’n.” “Long is the way and hard,that out of Hell leads up to light.” John Milton (born 9 December 1608)- “Paradise Lost” – the poem he sold for £10… Read More John Milton
In his poem “Trees”, made up of twelve lines of rhyming couplets (see here). Joyce Kilmer talks about the inability of art to replicate the beauty achieved by nature.Its seemingly simple rhyme scheme and meter, along with the choice of unpretentious metaphors, are easy to mimic and many writers have parodied it, above all after… Read More Kilmer’s “Trees” and Nash’s Parody
Alfred Joyce Kilmer was an American poet, as well as journalist, literary critic, lecturer, and editor, who was born on 6 December 1886.Although married and with children Joyce Kilmer volunteered for service in 1917 following America’s entry into World War I. Before his departure, he contracted with publishers to write a book about the war,… Read More Joyce Kilmer: Trees
Christina Georgina Rossetti was born in London on 5 December 1830.She composed “Up-hill” in 1858 but the poem was not published until 1861, when it appeared in Macmillan’s Magazine. Does the road wind up-hill all the way? Yes, to the very end.Will the day’s journey take the whole long day? From morn to night, my… Read More Christina Rossetti: Up-Hill
Louisa May Alcott (born on 29 November 1832) was an American novelist and reformist, best known for her novel “Little Women”. “I’m not afraid of storms, for I’m learning how to sail my ship.” “Far away in the sunshine are my highest aspirations. I may not reach them, but I can look up and see… Read More Louisa May Alcott
World Kindness Day is celebrated annually on 13th November.Let’s attempt to make the world a better place by promoting good deeds and acts of kindness. “Give” by Simon Armitage Of all the public places, dearto make a scene, I’ve chosen here. Of all the doorways in the worldto choose to sleep, I’ve chosen yours.I’m on… Read More World Kindness Day
11 November is Saint Martin’s day, also known as the Funeral of Saint Martin, because Saint Martin of Tours, who died on 8 November 397, was buried three days later. According to tradition, he cut his cloak in half to share with a beggar during a snowstorm, to save him from the cold harsh winter.In… Read More Estate di San Martino/Indian Summer
Era bello averti accanto e abbracciarti, mi davi calore e sicurezza.Ora non posso più toccarti ma ti sento ancora qui: sei nella brezza, nei pensieri, nel mio cuore … e mi regali serenità
