Category Archives: Poetry

A story of art, generosity and books

Posted on December 8, 2011 by cicada

My friend Libby sent me this inspiring story from one of my favorite cities, Edinburgh, where an anonymous artist has been leaving intricate book sculptures in local libraries. First, in March, the Scottish Poetry Library (which uses the wonderful institutional … Continue reading →

Posted in Artists & Art, Books, Littademia, Poetry, Random Acts of Altruism | Comments Off

Poem of the Week: Courage Equal to Desire

Posted on January 14, 2008 by cicada

Because I saw the band last week – they’re not half bad – and no one to whom I mentioned it knew the reference. One of my favorite Yeats poems, written for Maud Gonne, and yes, a good name for … Continue reading →

Posted in Poetry | 3 Comments

Poem of the Week: renewed by death

Posted on January 3, 2008 by cicada

Untitled Nez Perce County, Idaho I am renewed by death, thought of my death, The dry scent of a dying garden in September, The wind fanning the ash of a low fire. What I love is near at hand, Always, … Continue reading →

Posted in Poetry | 3 Comments

Poem of the Week: all the world, and I, and surely you

Posted on December 29, 2007 by cicada

Untitled Brompton Cemetary, London “Sonnet XVII” Loving you less than life, a little less Than bitter-sweet upon a broken wall Or brush-wood smoke in autumn, I confess I cannot swear I love you not at all. For there is that … Continue reading →

Posted in Poetry | 2 Comments

Poem of the Week: Mosaic of a Hare

Posted on December 5, 2007 by cicada

Hare Floor Mosiac 4th century Corinium School, Cirencester, Gloucestershire Corinium Museum Dan Chiasson’s book of poetry, Natural History (2005) is inspired by Pliny (the Elder, who wrote the original Naturalis historia) and Horace. Taking Pliny as a starting point may … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Poetry | 4 Comments

The Five Living Poets Challenge

Posted on October 31, 2007 by cicada

Over at his blog, Jeff Prucher has challenged readers to think of five major LIVING poets. Can you do it? No cheating, no Googling, no looking at your bookshelf or New Yorkers! For verisimilitude, pretend Alex Trebek is staring smugly … Continue reading →

Posted in Frivolity, Littademia, Poetry | 4 Comments

Poem of the Week: The way of the Dodo

Posted on October 15, 2007 by cicada

How happy did it make me that Al Gore won the Nobel Prize? (Rhetorical question.) In his honor, I thought of a poem by Judith Skillman, from the latest edition of the online journal Tattoo Highway, edited by Sara MacAulay. … Continue reading →

Posted in Blogs and Blogging, Poetry | 4 Comments

Poem of the Week: De Vermis

Posted on September 22, 2007 by cicada

Fantasy author Robert Jordan died this week, without completing his 12-book Wheel of Time saga. His death is the sort of event I most feared as a lonely teenager, when I lived in books: that an author would die before … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Poetry | 3 Comments

Poem of the Week: set upon a golden bough and sing

Posted on August 31, 2007 by cicada

Judith Fegerl Via the Athanasius Kircher Society: artist Judith Fegerl has created a sculpture that mechanically replicates the song of a nightingale. It may sound like a nightingale, but to me it looks more like the viscera of several giant … Continue reading →

Posted in Artists & Art, Poetry | Comments Off

Our minds and the universe – what else is there?

Posted on August 30, 2007 by cicada

From one of the most personally resonant essays I’ve read lately, by Mary Ruefle: I had recently one of the most astonishing experiences of my reading life. On page 248 in The Rings of Saturn, W. C. Sebald is recounting … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Department of the Drama, Poetry | 1 Comment