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On Schubert’s Birthday (January 31, 2025)
On Schubert’s Birthday Even the dog is asleepon the last day of January,Franz Schubert’s birthday.The classical stationwill surely play his string quartetsand songs, and if I have to drive,the electrons of my mind canescape…
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A nicely served portion of fake fries to start the new year in performance [By Tracy Danison]
"Patatas fritas falsas" by Agnès Mateus & Quim Tarrida. Photo: © Quim Tarrida A contemporary clown and master of multi-lingual stand-up performance, Agnés Mateus (with co-writer Quim Tarrida behind the curtains) has a preternatural ability…
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The Best American Poetry website, with searchable archive [by Stacey Lehman]
Ever wonder which volume of Best American Poetry included a particular poem or poet? Need to settle a bet about how many times a certain poet has appeared in BAP? Vist the Best American…
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“A Poison Tree” [by William Blake]
I was angry with my friend; I told my wrath, my wrath did end. I was angry with my foe: I told it not, my wrath did grow. And I waterd it in…
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Shakesapeare’s #71
No longer mourn for me when I am deadThan you shall hear the surly sullen bellGive warning to the world that I am fledFrom this vile world with vilest worms to dwell.Nay, if you read this line, remember notThe hand that writ it, for I love you soThat I in your sweet thoughts would be forgot,If thinking on me then should make you woe.O, if, I say, you look upon this verseWhen I, perhaps, compounded am with clay,Do not so much as my poor name rehearse,But let your love even with my life decay, Lest the wise world should look into your moan And mock you with me after I am gone. Shakespeare's #71 was Mark Van Doren's favorite, the only sonnet (he felt) in which the closing couplet is not a mere afterthought or summary. What's your favorite?
