While certainly true we cannot, must not forget nor dismiss the fact that there is an actual person behind the failure. For CBS, David and Larry Ellison. The WaPo, Jeff Bezos. Zuckerberg and Facebook/Instagram. Rupert Murdoch was the biggest original sinner and today perhaps still the biggest.
With poetry it seems to me that it remains undefeated because the poet is a larger life form than the poem. One cannot but help when hearing of stopping by a snowy woods of immediately thinking Robert Frost. "The Odyssey" and Homer, "How Do I Love Thee" and Elizabeth Barrett Browning and "Ode to a Nightingale" Keats. By keeping the creator front and center in our consciousness, the art form lives and thrives in a positive way. When the person behind the true evil fades from consciousness, the evil takes on a bigger life form and thrives in a destructive way.
Perhaps this is all gibberish but I truly believe the Constitution will not protect us but do feel We the People will prevail. No Kings Day protest certainly give succor. An estimated half million turned out here in London, surely a positive sign.
"but do feel We the People will prevail" I keep returning to Vaclav Havel's "The Power of The Powerless." Here in the U.S. we need another protest day quickly, with more people attending. to help make the point that we are willing to stand up and against this regime.
As a follow up if every person who attended a protest wrote to their Senator and Representative, it would punctuate the protest. Easy to do via their online portal. Just send a copy of your favorite sign if that suits. I wrote yesterday.
True evil has such a loud megaphone. Rupert and the others are acting deliberately and with malice against us all. They are not our solution to any problem, nor is the cult of fools.
It’s true, and you articulate it well. I will add that the people responsible for the evil, and the corruption of all of those institutions are the ones who would most like to be poets, but who never will be.
How wonderful that this man Sean, all the while I tossed and turned feeling so alone for months with all this malevolence, he was making sense out of all these waves of chaos that had crossed time and created the mess I’m living in (we also) and here in one book is all his sense making. Written down. And when I hold that book, which I will, it will be just for me he did that. That’s what I’ll actually think. I know myself. The words will be just for me. And thinking about that now, it’s probably why people meet writers and talk to them like they are their best friends. It’s said writers like to be alone a lot to work. And actually, a very learned Tibetan lama recently said that as you progress along the path to enlightenment, you might find yourself not wanting so many people in your life like before. And of course, as you progress along the path, the ability to include all sentient beings as receivers of your practice is the point. It’s the developed skill. And of course, if you write, poetry, novels, streams of thought, all those words have been actualiséd I once wrote a letter to someone dear to me I never sent about how enlightenment was inconceivably vast and complete in an ultimate way. That person called soon after and said they had the most amazing dream; feeling like being at the top of a mountain of purple hue, iridescence everywhere. And unimaginable Light.
Thank you for this. It will be for me too. I have known several people in my life who need someone around ALL the time. One young man said that he didn’t feel like he existed if he was alone. That was shocking to me since I appreciated a little me time.. my therapist friend said I know exactly how he feels. She was one who sought company every waking hour. Being old and alone now, I appreciate a little company. But posts such as Greg’s are friends and teachers in so many ways. So appreciated.
Thanks, Jackie. I’m a big believer in intention, especially when it involves people. I’ve had experiences like that before, thinking of people who then appear, that kind of thing.
Number of years ago a dear friend passed. I wrote a letter of condolence to his wife, reminiscing about the good times we shared, pointing out lovely parts of John. Several years later when together for a meal Gloria pulled the letter from her handbag and said to me that whenever she missed John she reread my letter to help comfort herself. She carried it everywhere, so she said.
My point, the power of the written word. The spoken word so easily forgotten, when written it takes on a life of. It's own.
That’s so nice, that you took the time to write the letter, and that it was so meaningful to her. Especially when people die, my experience is that it’s always better to reach out than not.
It matters not what epistle you put forth and stun us with, the most impressive content is yours. My opinion. The ability to take such varied content, analyze, synthesize and interpret for us is a gift as important as your starting point. I wish I had the time to expose my brain to your posts 24/7. My health is front and center these days but I want to tell you how awe struck I am by what you do. The proud ignorance that I see all around these days makes your efforts a special diamond that shines through. Sunday’s posts are a treat, but every post should be a headline for us all.
Thanks so much, JD. It’s nice to hear that and to know that this is having some kind of impact. I hope that you feel better, and that your health improves.
Doing good so far, old bodies keep you busy. I loved the post on The Social Network but I missed the boat on commenting. So many are thought provoking in ways that make my head spin. Exactly what a teacher should be in the most exhilarating way. I have loved learning and wish I had had you for a teacher long ago. But just maybe you and our indomitable substack writers will be our salvation in the darkest time of my long life. Thanks for those deep dives into the Epstein Octopus Pedo Saga. So many facets, evil on steroids.
This poetry book sounds like a pallet cleanser for the Soul. I too, have always thought Musk was a dead ringer for a Far Eastern despot, but couldn’t pin which one. Pol Pot it is.
Thanks, Cal. The ending of Chinatown is pretty much the best end right? Perfect. He realizes he’s in way over his head, he wants there to be justice, but realizes there’s no way it can ever be made right, and his friends don’t abandon him. There’s just so much going on.
I saw Blade Runner when the Director’s cut came out, on the big screen in Washington DC. I think I had the flu. I just remember being really sick, to the point where I was almost hallucinating, which added to the effect.
Though I respect and admire wordsmiths in any medium, I have to acknowledge that poetry has a special capacity for creating emotionally powerful imagery. And Murphy does a masterful job of latching on to the areas which are relevant to the times. Thank you for sharing this beautiful and timely experience.
Greg, I always love your Sunday efforts….thank you again for pointing out humanity’s best again today, as we all see our worst every single day in 2026…..Speaking of the worst, “criminal lickspittle” is a succinct summary of these countless toadies for whom I have the utmost and really limitless contempt….
Thank you Greg, another Sunday post that introduces me to a new writer, someone trying to right wrongs through the written word. I note, however,
"Other forms—newspapers, television, social media—have indeed failed us; poetry remains undefeated."
While certainly true we cannot, must not forget nor dismiss the fact that there is an actual person behind the failure. For CBS, David and Larry Ellison. The WaPo, Jeff Bezos. Zuckerberg and Facebook/Instagram. Rupert Murdoch was the biggest original sinner and today perhaps still the biggest.
With poetry it seems to me that it remains undefeated because the poet is a larger life form than the poem. One cannot but help when hearing of stopping by a snowy woods of immediately thinking Robert Frost. "The Odyssey" and Homer, "How Do I Love Thee" and Elizabeth Barrett Browning and "Ode to a Nightingale" Keats. By keeping the creator front and center in our consciousness, the art form lives and thrives in a positive way. When the person behind the true evil fades from consciousness, the evil takes on a bigger life form and thrives in a destructive way.
Perhaps this is all gibberish but I truly believe the Constitution will not protect us but do feel We the People will prevail. No Kings Day protest certainly give succor. An estimated half million turned out here in London, surely a positive sign.
"but do feel We the People will prevail" I keep returning to Vaclav Havel's "The Power of The Powerless." Here in the U.S. we need another protest day quickly, with more people attending. to help make the point that we are willing to stand up and against this regime.
As a follow up if every person who attended a protest wrote to their Senator and Representative, it would punctuate the protest. Easy to do via their online portal. Just send a copy of your favorite sign if that suits. I wrote yesterday.
Thank you. I have their numbers posted on a card above my calendar. I am going to call tomorrow!
True evil has such a loud megaphone. Rupert and the others are acting deliberately and with malice against us all. They are not our solution to any problem, nor is the cult of fools.
It’s true, and you articulate it well. I will add that the people responsible for the evil, and the corruption of all of those institutions are the ones who would most like to be poets, but who never will be.
And if they wrote a poem it would likely be entitled Ode to my Money
Once again, your own poetic prose soars aloft.
Thanks, Jack!
How wonderful that this man Sean, all the while I tossed and turned feeling so alone for months with all this malevolence, he was making sense out of all these waves of chaos that had crossed time and created the mess I’m living in (we also) and here in one book is all his sense making. Written down. And when I hold that book, which I will, it will be just for me he did that. That’s what I’ll actually think. I know myself. The words will be just for me. And thinking about that now, it’s probably why people meet writers and talk to them like they are their best friends. It’s said writers like to be alone a lot to work. And actually, a very learned Tibetan lama recently said that as you progress along the path to enlightenment, you might find yourself not wanting so many people in your life like before. And of course, as you progress along the path, the ability to include all sentient beings as receivers of your practice is the point. It’s the developed skill. And of course, if you write, poetry, novels, streams of thought, all those words have been actualiséd I once wrote a letter to someone dear to me I never sent about how enlightenment was inconceivably vast and complete in an ultimate way. That person called soon after and said they had the most amazing dream; feeling like being at the top of a mountain of purple hue, iridescence everywhere. And unimaginable Light.
Thank you for this. It will be for me too. I have known several people in my life who need someone around ALL the time. One young man said that he didn’t feel like he existed if he was alone. That was shocking to me since I appreciated a little me time.. my therapist friend said I know exactly how he feels. She was one who sought company every waking hour. Being old and alone now, I appreciate a little company. But posts such as Greg’s are friends and teachers in so many ways. So appreciated.
Love the story of your letter. Powerful
Thanks, Jackie. I’m a big believer in intention, especially when it involves people. I’ve had experiences like that before, thinking of people who then appear, that kind of thing.
Number of years ago a dear friend passed. I wrote a letter of condolence to his wife, reminiscing about the good times we shared, pointing out lovely parts of John. Several years later when together for a meal Gloria pulled the letter from her handbag and said to me that whenever she missed John she reread my letter to help comfort herself. She carried it everywhere, so she said.
My point, the power of the written word. The spoken word so easily forgotten, when written it takes on a life of. It's own.
And it comes to us with the clarity of another person’s love
That’s so nice, that you took the time to write the letter, and that it was so meaningful to her. Especially when people die, my experience is that it’s always better to reach out than not.
It matters not what epistle you put forth and stun us with, the most impressive content is yours. My opinion. The ability to take such varied content, analyze, synthesize and interpret for us is a gift as important as your starting point. I wish I had the time to expose my brain to your posts 24/7. My health is front and center these days but I want to tell you how awe struck I am by what you do. The proud ignorance that I see all around these days makes your efforts a special diamond that shines through. Sunday’s posts are a treat, but every post should be a headline for us all.
Thanks so much, JD. It’s nice to hear that and to know that this is having some kind of impact. I hope that you feel better, and that your health improves.
Doing good so far, old bodies keep you busy. I loved the post on The Social Network but I missed the boat on commenting. So many are thought provoking in ways that make my head spin. Exactly what a teacher should be in the most exhilarating way. I have loved learning and wish I had had you for a teacher long ago. But just maybe you and our indomitable substack writers will be our salvation in the darkest time of my long life. Thanks for those deep dives into the Epstein Octopus Pedo Saga. So many facets, evil on steroids.
Turning blue to blues was one of the greatest creations of all time.
Charles Bowden believed and thought in Blue.
Yes.
Reminds me of the Philip Levine poem: They Feed They Lion: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/49117/they-feed-they-lion
I didn’t know that one, Bob. Thanks for sharing.
This poetry book sounds like a pallet cleanser for the Soul. I too, have always thought Musk was a dead ringer for a Far Eastern despot, but couldn’t pin which one. Pol Pot it is.
When I saw that picture, I had to Google it because I wasn’t sure what Pol Pot actually looked like. Totally crazy!
Great article.
Por Pol:
I think between Oligarchs and Ai the future human population will be 5000.
Good to see three of my favorite films mentioned.
China Town.
The films basis is how Politics stole agricultural water to build LA.
As I retired cop and retired PI I related to the depicted circumstances. Polanski insisted on the ending against advice. I agreed.
Polanski borrowed for many settings from author John Fante.
(Ask the Dust)
And BLADE RUNNER arguably a great cult film. I re watch it at least once a year. "TEARS IN THE RAIN."
$THE sequel got dumbed down. However I have watched it twice.
And
I still own a Casablanca dvd but gave away the VHS. I collected VHS tapes for the box art work.
So: these three films definitely are in my top 15. Which include the first release of Star Wars. And the English version of Day of the Jackal.
And then the OIL films, Three Days of the Condor. Syriana...........
Thanks, Cal. The ending of Chinatown is pretty much the best end right? Perfect. He realizes he’s in way over his head, he wants there to be justice, but realizes there’s no way it can ever be made right, and his friends don’t abandon him. There’s just so much going on.
I saw Blade Runner when the Director’s cut came out, on the big screen in Washington DC. I think I had the flu. I just remember being really sick, to the point where I was almost hallucinating, which added to the effect.
Director Towne wanted a more conventional optimistic ending.
Though I respect and admire wordsmiths in any medium, I have to acknowledge that poetry has a special capacity for creating emotionally powerful imagery. And Murphy does a masterful job of latching on to the areas which are relevant to the times. Thank you for sharing this beautiful and timely experience.
Thanks, Earl. I’m glad you liked it!
Creepy side by side of Pol Pot and Musk. Both lacked/lack empathy.
Loved the allusions to films, at least one play, and I think a novel:
"King Leopold's Conquest"--is that to "Heart of Darkness"?
"Death of a Salesman"
"Apocalypse Now"
"Platoon"
Blaxploitation films (starring Pam Grier)
Chuck Barris--is that to "The Gong Show"?
"Wallstreet"
I couldn't find the full table of contents, so I wonder what other works are alluded to?
Yes, you’ve got it right. Leopold is about Leopold it also about Conrad. You guessed the other films correctly.
Greg, I always love your Sunday efforts….thank you again for pointing out humanity’s best again today, as we all see our worst every single day in 2026…..Speaking of the worst, “criminal lickspittle” is a succinct summary of these countless toadies for whom I have the utmost and really limitless contempt….
Thanks, Rick. It’s very hard to find new words to articulate my rage, contempt, infuriation, etc., but I’m gonna keep trying.
Looking forward to the tolling of the bells. 🙏
🔔🔔🔔🔔