Lionel Pigot Johnson, English poet, essayist, and critic, was born on 15 March 1867 in Kent.He studied at Winchester College and then at New College, Oxford, graduating in 1890 ; after that he went to London to pursue a literary career and to work as a writer and critic for a number of periodicals. When… Read More Johnson and Wilde (1)
Vita Sackville-West, English poet, novelist and writer on gardening, was born on 9 March 1892She was also famous for her intense relationship and ever-lasting friendship with Virginia Woolf. TrioSo well she knew them both! yet as she cameInto the room, and heard their speechOf tragic meshes knotted with her name,And saw them, foes, but meeting… Read More Trio
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
Toni Morrison (1931-2019) was an American novelist, essayist, editor, and professor. She was the first African-American woman to win the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1993. She was also the recipient of the Pulitzer Prize in Fiction, for her 1987 novel “Beloved”, and of many more awards.She wrote a volume of poetry, “Five Poems” (2002),… Read More Toni Morrison Day
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
Oscar Wilde died in Paris on this day, 30 November 1900, when he was only 46.Here is a short touching poem he wrote on the death of a young girl, his sister. Requiescat Tread lightly, she is near Under the snow,Speak gently, she can hear The daisies grow. All her bright golden hair Tarnished with… Read More Oscar Wilde and Death
Dorothy Parker, American writer, poet, and critic, was born on 22 August 1893. She said “The first thing I do in the morning is brush my teeth and sharpen my tongue” (1), and her tongue was really like a razor blade: she became known for her wit and her sharp commentary on contemporary America. As… Read More “The first thing I do in the morning … ”
Observed annually on May 12th, National Limerick Day celebrates the birthday of English artist, illustrator, author, and poet Edward Lear (12 May 1812 – 29 January 1888) Limericks were not created by Lear, but he published 212 of those poems, with accompanying illustrations and drawings, and popularised them. They are witty, humorous, or nonsense poems… Read More National Limerick Day
“Legal Midnight Hour” by Carl Sandburg, Well, the dying time came, the legal midnight hour, The moment set by law for the Chair to be at work, To substantiate the majesty of the State of Massachusetts That hour was at hand, had arrived, was struck by the clocks, The time for two men… Read More “Legal Midnight Hour”
“THE STARRY NIGHT” – Anne Sexton (1961) “That does not keep me from having a terrible need of—shall I say the word—religion. Then I go out at night to paint the stars.” Vincent Van Gogh, in a letter to his brother The town does not exist except where one black haired tree slips up like… Read More “The Starry Night” (1. Poem & Translation)🌃
