Category Archives: Uncategorized

Between the World and Me

Posted on June 14, 2019 by Jeff

Ta-Nehisi Coates‘ “Between the World and Me” is a powerful book. While reading the last chapter I noticed a rhythmic drive like poetry has. This fits the definition of prose poetry, “a piece of writing in prose having obvious poetic … Continue reading →

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Covers and Remakes

Posted on June 14, 2019 by Jeff

I certainly enjoy hearing a cover of someone else’s song, but what really excites me is a group or an artist remaking a song in their own imagining. One of the surest of tests is the way in which a … Continue reading →

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Level of Difficulty

Posted on May 16, 2019 by Jeff

Poetry contest winners are frequently about violent, traumatic, scary circumstances. I could imagine or make up such, but the result probably wouldn’t ring true. Why spend time and money pursuing something that’s unlikely? My wife and I recently sponsored a … Continue reading →

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Hazards of Self-Education

Posted on March 17, 2019 by Jeff

For the relentlessly curious and those moving faster than the speed of communication (a metaphorical sound barrier), self-education is a necessity. As someone with an education in programming and who often worked just behind the cutting/bleeding edge I’ve experienced both … Continue reading →

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Grooks

Posted on March 9, 2019 by Jeff

Grooks are haiku for scientists and engineers written in runes instead of ideo- or picto-grams. The term was coined by Piet Hein, a Danish poet, inventor, and scientist. My description is about as helpful as describing a haiku as a … Continue reading →

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Weighted Pros and Cons

Posted on March 7, 2019 by Jeff

Listing Pros and Cons (points for and against a decision) is familiar and I’ve used it many times. It forms a foundation under more sophisticated decision making techniques like modern versions of Ignatius of Loyala‘s discernment. Mostly when I’m done … Continue reading →

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Cohen and Hayes

Posted on August 19, 2018 by Jeff

I’ve been reading Terrance Hayes’ American Sonnet for my Past and Future Assassin and listening to Leonard Cohen’s songs, particularly Hallelujah and Suzanne. Some of the sonnets are relentless, pedal to the metal all the way, though there’s always some breathing in them, between … Continue reading →

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Gatekeepers

Posted on May 29, 2018 by Jeff

The gatekeepers have stopped the barbarians at the gate. They guard access to empty pews. The horde demanding entrance is empty too. Who are the gatekeepers for: botanicals (e.g. quinine) religious images (e.g. kachina dolls) recipes (e.g., chitlins, gumbo, pizza) … Continue reading →

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Appropriate? or Appropriation?

Posted on May 29, 2018 by Jeff

Austin, TX is a “humid, sub-tropical” climate.  In my daily activities, the “strenuously casual” dress of where I came from Davis, CA. It is a hot-summer Mediterranean climate, so drier than here. My clothing is less appropriate here, but a suit, … Continue reading →

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The Great Silence

Posted on April 12, 2018 by Jeff

At a writer’s retreat in a former convent, the leader, a Zen Buddhist practitioner, spoke of the Great Silence, a practice shared by many monastic traditions. Silence is observed by the whole community from dinner to breakfast the next morning. … Continue reading →

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