Edna St. Vincent Millay (born on 22 February 1892) was an American lyrical poet and playwright and the third woman to receive the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry. She was considered one of the most skillful writers of sonnets during the 1900s.She was also known for her unconventional, bohemian lifestyle and her many love affairs. “Time… Read More Edna St. Vincent Millay
The poem is taken from the only volume of poetry, “Five Poems” (2002). written by American prose-writer Toni Morrison (1931-2019). THE EDGE He was a boy – just a boy –and I was a very young girl.In blazing light and shadows trimmed in goldwe took the risk of lovethe grist of lovethe dreamy, steamy mist… Read More The Edge
These beautiful words were written by Edith Wharton, an American novelist, short story writer, and designer who was born on 24 January 1862She was the first woman to win the Pulitzer Prize for literature in 1921 for her novel “The Age of Innocence” She loved dogs, although she seldom included them in her fiction: they… Read More 🐕”My little dog – a heartbeat at my feet” 🐕
“You don’t get to choose how you’re going to die. Or when. You can only decide how you’re going to live. Now” (1)[Joan Baez, American musician, and activist, born on 9 January 1941] On 30 March 2020 the American singer-songwriter broadcast a video in which she sang an Italian song to celebrate Italy’s positive musical… Read More Happy Birthday, Joan Baez 🎂
“New Year: A Dialogue” by Ella Wheeler Wilcox (1909) MORTAL:“The night is cold, the hour is late, the world is bleak and drear;Who is it knocking at my door?” THE NEW YEAR:“I am Good Cheer.” MORTAL:“Your voice is strange; I know you not; in shadows dark I grope.What seek you here?” THE NEW YEAR:“Friend, let… Read More New Year: A Dialogue
“But habit is a great deadener” (Vladimir: Waiting for Godot) à elle l’acte calme to her the calm actthe savant pores the sex easygoingwaiting not too slow regretting not too long the absencein the service of presencea few tatters of azure in the head the points finally dead of the heartall the tardy grace of… Read More Samuel Beckett: “l’acte calme”
If I am convinced of Lord Byron‘s sincere affection for his daughter Ada, (see here) I am not so convinced as regards Lady Byron’s.Anne Isabella Milbanke, who was a cold and prudish woman with strict morals, was a mathematician, well aware of her strong intellect. She had been tenderly called the “Princess of Parallelograms” by… Read More Young Ada Byron and her Mother
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
may i feel said he(i’ll squeal said shejust once said he)it’s fun said she (may i touch said hehow much said shea lot said he)why not said she (let’s go said henot too far said shewhat’s too far said hewhere you are said she) may i stay said he(which way said shelike this said heif… Read More e.e. cummings: may i feel said he
Fania Borach, known professionally as Fanny Brice, was a popular and influential American comedienne, singer, theatre and film actress, who was born on 29 October 1891.Before becoming a film star, she was an illustrated song model, i.e. she appeared on the still images used to illustrate song lyrics and to accompany live performers in different… Read More Fanny/Funny Girl
