Quote(s) of the Day

To truly support religious liberty, one must never forget that what one person calls heresy, another simply calls choice.

* * *

True religious freedom means that everyone has the right to their beliefs, but not a free pass to discriminate or use taxpayer dollars to impose their beliefs on others. ...

To insist that the government respect the separation of church and state is not to discriminate against religion; indeed, it promotes a respect for religion by refusing to single out any creed for official favor at the expense of all others. ...

We have the right to act on our religious beliefs, unless those actions harm others. ... 

BOOK REVIEWS. Sort Of.

The Silent World of Nicholas Quinn - Colin Dexter  

I never see it coming.

I've read enough murder mysteries to be pretty good at this, but just when I think he's going to turn left, he turns right, then right again, and a couple of lefts.  I need GPS!

Some Words . . .

When I see a young (or not-so-young) writer counting syllables on her fingers, or marking stresses … I’m pretty sure we’ll have something in common, whatever our differences may be.

– Marilyn Hacker

Untitled
[You did say, need me less and I'll want you more]

You did say, need me less and I'll want you more.
I'm still shellshocked at needing anyone,
used to being used to it on my own.
It won't be me out on the tiles till four-
thirty, while you're in bed, willing the door
open with your need. You wanted her then,
more. Because you need to, I woke alone
in what's not yet our room, strewn, though, with your
guitar, shoes, notebook, socks, trousers enjambed
with mine. Half the world was sleeping it off
in every other bed under my roof.
I wish I had a roof over my bed
to pull down on my head when I feel damned
by wanting you so much it looks like need.

from: Love, Death, and the Changing of the Seasons. Copyright 1986.

Something to Think About . . .

What Does a Poet Laureate Do? Kay Ryan.

 

A two time Poet Laureate, from 2008 until 2010.

Kay Ryan





“What poetry does is put more oxygen in the atmosphere. Poetry makes it easier to breathe.”






Besides writing poetry, she developed Poetry for the Mind’s Joy in 2009 to highlight poetry being written on community college campuses.

Poetry for the Mind’s Joy is a national initiative that includes a videoconference, a national celebration by community colleges, and a poetry writing contest. 

~ The ANTHOLOGY of winning poems ~

In April of 2011,  Ms Ryan won the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry, for her collection The Best of It: New and Selected Poems.

Here is an example of her poetry:


Hide and Seek
― Kay Ryan,
      The Niagara River

It’s hard not
to jump out
instead of
waiting to be
found. It’s
hard to be
alone so long
and then hear
someone come
around. It’s
like some form
of skin’s developed
in the air
that, rather
than have torn,
you tear.



ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Kay Ryan:

• Online resources for Kay Ryan.
• Prior posts on Kay Ryan here & here.

General:

• From the Catbird Seat: Poetry and literature at the Library of Congress.
• List of Poets Laureate.

Photo: Hide and Seek, Artsy Time.

BOOK REVIEWS. Sort Of.

Last Seen Wearing - Colin Dexter   

Sergent Lewis was a bit under the weather this time out, and he and Inspector Morse had a rough go of it, but it was still an enjoyable read nonetheless.

What?

Politics . . .

Questions?

 

from: Keep your hands off my Medicare!

- Sarah Firisen

I look up to the heavens in prayer
Let Obamacare die now I swear
There's no words to berate
That evil mandate
And keep your hands right off my Medicare

Stop the death panels right now I cry
The government wants me to die
It's the private insurers
Who should be healthcare jurors
Only corporations won't send this awry

Jesus cured the sick and the lame
But today it's Democrats that he'd blame
And say each man for himself
I've a right to my wealth
If you're poor, well I guess that's a shame

READ the REST of the poem on 3 QUARKS DAILY . . .