“Headlights,” by Laurie Sheck
“Headlights,” by Laurie Sheck Download audio from the collection The Willow Grove
Dream Diary, 5/18/85
Dream: being in a house, probably basement, with some shady people I know I should be suspicious of; poor-lighting, & … Continue Reading Dream Diary, 5/18/85
Images: Edward Hopper
I had heard of Edward Hopper before, but it wasn’t until a summer or two after high school, when I … Continue Reading Images: Edward Hopper
Science & the Salem Witch Trials
From Jacques Barzun: ….What remains to be told is often regarded as the one unfortunate blot on the Pilgrim Fathers’ … Continue Reading Science & the Salem Witch Trials
To Criticize the Critic
I once heard an hour on the radio devoted to talking about two classical composers. Between the host, the guest … Continue Reading To Criticize the Critic
“The Uluburun Shipwreck” (poem)
The Uluburun Shipwreck Download Audio The cedar ship sank off the coast of Turkeywith pottery from Cyprus and jewelryfrom Egypt … Continue Reading “The Uluburun Shipwreck” (poem)
“My Uncle’s Wound,” by Ted Hughes
“My Uncle’s Wound,” by Ted Hughes Download audio Not much remains of my uncle’s Normandy. The stones, but he’d signed … Continue Reading “My Uncle’s Wound,” by Ted Hughes
Thoughts for Rosh Hashanah
A good summary and interpretation of the sources (and later folklore) surrounding Rosh Hashanah comes from from Howard Schwartz’s Tree … Continue Reading Thoughts for Rosh Hashanah
Images: Gustave Courbet
Take a look through some of the best paintings of Gustave Courbet (1819-1877). Is the general claim true, that in … Continue Reading Images: Gustave Courbet
First Person: Bruce Springsteen on “Nebraska”
Two passages from Bruce Springsteen talking about his 1982 album Nebraska. You can hear the entire album here: Nebraska began … Continue Reading First Person: Bruce Springsteen on “Nebraska”
Rediscovering the Hidden Life
Years ago a good friend of mine wrote to me about the birth of his child and said, “I’d been … Continue Reading Rediscovering the Hidden Life
The Printing Revolution Begins
from Jacques Barzun: Anything that can be said about the good letters implies the book, the printed book. To be … Continue Reading The Printing Revolution Begins
“Crow’s Song about God,” by Ted Hughes
“Crow’s Song about God,” by Ted Hughes Download audio Somebody is sittingUnder the gatepost of heavenUnder the lintelOn which are … Continue Reading “Crow’s Song about God,” by Ted Hughes
Thoughts for Shabbat: “I became aware of something sublime arising within”
A bit of thirteenth-century mysticism for your Friday night: Why do we utter letters and move them around? I, a … Continue Reading Thoughts for Shabbat: “I became aware of something sublime arising within”
Images: Caspar David Friedrich
Three weeks ago I’d barely heard of the painter Caspar David Friedrich (1774-1840). Awhile ago I had noted down that … Continue Reading Images: Caspar David Friedrich
First Person: Ezra Pound’s Advice to a Young Poet
The late poet and translator W. S. Merwin, who died last year at ninety-one, has left us a remarkable account … Continue Reading First Person: Ezra Pound’s Advice to a Young Poet
