Today is the birthday of a dear friend of mine. She would be 81 if she was still with us. I still miss her & her sunny presence. She lives on in my heart.
Those Victorians still have a lot to teach us about love, duty, and honor—lessons completely lost in this post-modern dystopia. What they were most right about is that society must relearn those lessons in every generation in the face of incredible surges in technology and science. Victorian England created railroads, postal service, police, public sanitation, fundamental new laws of physics and science, modern education (instead of preparing every student for a life in the ministry), they explored the world’s darkest places, and wrote wonderful literature. My PhD is a study of the works of Tennyson, who I love still after all these decades. I may be one of only three or four living people who has read his plays, and yet at his death the public was certain he would be remembered as a playwright equal to Shakespeare. Your brilliant essay awakens in me this Sunday morning a broad range of emotions and reminds me of how much I loved being immersed in the literature of great minds. Matthew Arnold, Wordsworth, Keats, Browning, Swinburne (who leapt on the Victorian stage like a satyr at a tea party), Tennyson, and all the rest. Thomas Carlisle gave the lectures that today have become TED talks. Maxwell gave us the laws of thermodynamics. John Henry Newman has been canonized more for his miraculous writing than for any miracles of faith. It was a fascinating age, akin to our own in the way advances in STEM overturned all the old orders. About Rossetti, yes yes yes. Thank you. Thank you.
Queen Mary is probably the best. You might be forced to read them in edited galley proof at Harvard’s Widener library, as I was. But hey! Welcome to the club. Drink coffee
My romantic literature professor, James Butler, PhD, was also a well-known Wordsworth scholar. I remember the tissue thin airmail letters when he was in the UK researching. RIP, Jim. And thank you for the reminder, Greg.
Timely. The hap hit me this week, losing my comfortable executive job Friday morning, after 14 years of loyalty and contributions and being discarded in a surprise re-org. Life is indeed a crapshoot.
With all of the other “Black Swans” floating about, this one must hurt so much. May you quickly find something, somewhere, that brings you great satisfaction and reward. Sometimes the next thing turns out to be the best thing, and I hope that holds true for you. Peace, Erin!
My best opportunities came after being fired (I am a serial dumpee). Once the dust settles and the shock and hurt abate, may this be a wonderful new (and lucrative - what the heck) chapter for you! I finally figured it was best to hire myself. I am selling my business now after 13 years to retire. Or, to start just one more... All The Best Erin!
Don't you worry. After 21 years of slave-like service, the trucking company I used to work for closed due to the owners' mismanagement. I was 55 years old and thought, "who the hell is going to hire ME?" I found a job performing insurance audits within a few months and have now been with them nine years. It is BY FAR the best job I've ever had. I'm an independent contractor, and now postish-COVID, I'm going to stay working at home, instead of going out to businesses. I seriously have never been happier AND after 55 years old? C'mon! Good luck out there, Erin!
Thanks, Cal. We were talking about what we wanted to happen when we die the other day. I said, "I'll be dead, so I don't care. You guys figure it out." I proposed putting the body on the roof and having the vultures set upon it. They do that in some cultures. Thanks for sharing that poem.
Another perspective that teaches, elucidates, and applies to situations beyond the obvious. I guess poetry is such in a form to delight and start wheels turning. Thank you.
I appreciate British poetry (In general, British literature) not only because I enjoy romanticism and melancholy, but mostly because it takes me to places, different countries, regions, and cultures. Poems from anywhere in the British world are welcome whether in the British Isles, the British Empire, or the UK. :)
Wow, I poem I actually know! I was one of those freaky fourteen-year-olds that ran home from school to make sure I didn't miss "Dark Shadows," the gothic soap opera which ran on ABC for quite a few years in the late '60s and early '70s. They put out an "Original Soundtrack Album," and Jonathan Frid, the until-then obscure Canadian actor, voiced this poem on the album. Of course, it's on YouTube (with visuals!). We learn and gather when and where we can.
The picture up top does not seem like a group of very happy people, so she may have fit right into the Collins family of the 19th century. (I liked the show but see now that it really hasn't aged well. The cheesiness of it may have been the draw though.)
Today is the birthday of a dear friend of mine. She would be 81 if she was still with us. I still miss her & her sunny presence. She lives on in my heart.
Happy birthday, wherever she is. I'm sorry for your loss.
Thank you.
Those Victorians still have a lot to teach us about love, duty, and honor—lessons completely lost in this post-modern dystopia. What they were most right about is that society must relearn those lessons in every generation in the face of incredible surges in technology and science. Victorian England created railroads, postal service, police, public sanitation, fundamental new laws of physics and science, modern education (instead of preparing every student for a life in the ministry), they explored the world’s darkest places, and wrote wonderful literature. My PhD is a study of the works of Tennyson, who I love still after all these decades. I may be one of only three or four living people who has read his plays, and yet at his death the public was certain he would be remembered as a playwright equal to Shakespeare. Your brilliant essay awakens in me this Sunday morning a broad range of emotions and reminds me of how much I loved being immersed in the literature of great minds. Matthew Arnold, Wordsworth, Keats, Browning, Swinburne (who leapt on the Victorian stage like a satyr at a tea party), Tennyson, and all the rest. Thomas Carlisle gave the lectures that today have become TED talks. Maxwell gave us the laws of thermodynamics. John Henry Newman has been canonized more for his miraculous writing than for any miracles of faith. It was a fascinating age, akin to our own in the way advances in STEM overturned all the old orders. About Rossetti, yes yes yes. Thank you. Thank you.
“I am a part of all that I have met.” Guided my thoughts for many, many years…
Love it. Very true.
I talk to different people all day long and collectively try to learn something from each of them.
They can take something from me & I of them.
Thanks for this, John. It truly was a period of incredible accomplishment. Now I have to check out these Tennyson plays!
Queen Mary is probably the best. You might be forced to read them in edited galley proof at Harvard’s Widener library, as I was. But hey! Welcome to the club. Drink coffee
My romantic literature professor, James Butler, PhD, was also a well-known Wordsworth scholar. I remember the tissue thin airmail letters when he was in the UK researching. RIP, Jim. And thank you for the reminder, Greg.
There is something so life-affirming about academics doing this kind of research. It brings me joy just to know that it exists.
He made a discovery about Wordsworth when he was in the library over there, and I wish I could remember what it was!
Timely. The hap hit me this week, losing my comfortable executive job Friday morning, after 14 years of loyalty and contributions and being discarded in a surprise re-org. Life is indeed a crapshoot.
With all of the other “Black Swans” floating about, this one must hurt so much. May you quickly find something, somewhere, that brings you great satisfaction and reward. Sometimes the next thing turns out to be the best thing, and I hope that holds true for you. Peace, Erin!
Thank you for the kindness.
Yes, what Jefferey said. When a door closes, another one opens...
Counting on it. Just need to readjust my crown and brush myself off…
My best opportunities came after being fired (I am a serial dumpee). Once the dust settles and the shock and hurt abate, may this be a wonderful new (and lucrative - what the heck) chapter for you! I finally figured it was best to hire myself. I am selling my business now after 13 years to retire. Or, to start just one more... All The Best Erin!
Well done! You’re a role model.
Oh, no, Erin, I'm so sorry to hear this.
🙏❤️🙏
Knocked down seven times; get up eight
Don't you worry. After 21 years of slave-like service, the trucking company I used to work for closed due to the owners' mismanagement. I was 55 years old and thought, "who the hell is going to hire ME?" I found a job performing insurance audits within a few months and have now been with them nine years. It is BY FAR the best job I've ever had. I'm an independent contractor, and now postish-COVID, I'm going to stay working at home, instead of going out to businesses. I seriously have never been happier AND after 55 years old? C'mon! Good luck out there, Erin!
These stories give me inspiration!
Lovely
"Sweet hereafter" anticipate some HAP.
You write often about English scribblers.
Most of whom i am not familiar.
But then i lack the University that comes here.
Hardy is new to me as is Rossetti.
Her poem here has a feel of creeping melancholia.
Under dirt burial is not something i prefer.
I prefer placement high up in a tree for the feasting of birds and insects.
Might i suggest a non European artist such as poet Joy Harjo or Vine Deloria Jr.
Today's Sonoran brings my favorite times.
The heat of summer.
The weak and noisy leave.
The reptiles and i stay seeking
only shade and water.
The big quiet is upon us.
In anticipation of late summer Monsoons.
Thanks, Cal. We were talking about what we wanted to happen when we die the other day. I said, "I'll be dead, so I don't care. You guys figure it out." I proposed putting the body on the roof and having the vultures set upon it. They do that in some cultures. Thanks for sharing that poem.
Vulture cultures. (Sorry, it was RIGHT THERE!)
Another perspective that teaches, elucidates, and applies to situations beyond the obvious. I guess poetry is such in a form to delight and start wheels turning. Thank you.
Thanks, Jeri. I like, in this poem, the way she sneaks in the line about the nightingale's song.
Wordsmith artist
Denada Greg.
Sonoran (desert) rambling came to me as i sipped my coffee and watched a variety of birds eagerly indulge on the divine manna i prepared for them
❤
She's a good egg -- liking very much 👍
I appreciate British poetry (In general, British literature) not only because I enjoy romanticism and melancholy, but mostly because it takes me to places, different countries, regions, and cultures. Poems from anywhere in the British world are welcome whether in the British Isles, the British Empire, or the UK. :)
I agree. I have an anthology of British poetry on my nightstand, and it's really the best book.
Russias hidden asset?
In between poetry sessions maybe you can help the Feds uncover The Fourth Man.
Wow, I poem I actually know! I was one of those freaky fourteen-year-olds that ran home from school to make sure I didn't miss "Dark Shadows," the gothic soap opera which ran on ABC for quite a few years in the late '60s and early '70s. They put out an "Original Soundtrack Album," and Jonathan Frid, the until-then obscure Canadian actor, voiced this poem on the album. Of course, it's on YouTube (with visuals!). We learn and gather when and where we can.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BdsQOoFDEXc
Thanks for sharing! Methinks Christina would have REALLY dug that.
The picture up top does not seem like a group of very happy people, so she may have fit right into the Collins family of the 19th century. (I liked the show but see now that it really hasn't aged well. The cheesiness of it may have been the draw though.)
On my nightstand, all of Bukowski.
How about some Ishmael Reed?
And for the Brits, some Betrand Russell
as to T.S. and Vivienne Haigh Wood?