lazy boats on a lazy river watched by lazy me
Lazy River [Haiku]
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Category Archives: Poetry
Helen of Troy [Limerick]
There was pretty lady named Helen whose beauty had all the boys yellin'. No arrows from Cupid; her glance made 'em stupid. But did her face split a thousand melons?
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BOOK REVIEW: Rilke: The Last Inward Man by Lesley Chamberlain
Rilke: The Last Inward Man by Lesley ChamberlainMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
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This book surveys the influences on Rainer Maria Rilke’s poetry, and makes the argument that Rilke was the last vestige of a mystically spiritual [Romantic or Romantic-esque] poetic line. Poetry was becoming more political and more influenced by nihilistic philosophies that eschewed inward investigations of meaning and self-realization, constructs that were seen as artificial and empty. Rilke bucked the trend, and while he did become an important poet, Chamberlain believes he paid a price.
The book discusses the influence of sexuality, spirituality, and artistic obsessions on Rilke’s poetry in great detail. It also talks about his life as an influence, both his family life (or lack, thereof) and the key years he spent in Paris. The last couple chapters tie the story together by clarifying what Rilke achieved and how it contrasted with prevailing trends.
If you’re interested in understanding more about the philosophical and spiritual forces impacting Rilke’s work, this is an interesting read. It’s not a biography, strictly speaking, but does unavoidably discuss Rilke’s life in some detail (though always through a literary / philosophical lens.)
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Wood Strong [Haiku]
Stone Birds [Haiku]
two stone birds carved into a temple plinth: still impermanent!
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Anti-Social Media [Limerick]
There once was an evil internet troll who spouted like the proverbial blowhole. He snarked to the void like a flaming hemorrhoid, but remained an anonymous A-hole.
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Loss; or, 21st Century Kafka [Free Verse]
They claimed theft, but what was stolen? They could not name it, but said they felt its loss. They demanded recompense, but weren't sure to whom they should send the bill, and so they just shouted the demand out to the universe. This thing which could not be named or described could be missed; its loss felt deep within. They would rage for it (if in vague terms) by violent means if necessary.
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Mirror [Free Verse]
The mirror lies,
pretending to be a window.
Through the looking-glass?
My ass!
It presents a prison
in fine detail
&
with a glossy coating,
but it can’t be escaped.
Its truth is overbearing.
That’s how it lies.
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Bangalore Mailman Limerick
There once was a Bangalorean mailman who always had a monsoon season plan. For heavy rain: a coat; heavier still: a boat. And if all else fails, move to Rajasthan.
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Two Takes on a Bullish Limerick
On Wall Street, there was a commodities bull. The man knew finance, but could be rather dull. He made the bacon, until he was shaken to find foreign pork belly dumped by the shipful.
There was an oblivious bull of Wall Street whose life was portfolios and spreadsheets. His approach, academic, missing news of pandemic, he bet cruise ship line stock would increase.
Tiger Riding for Beginners 