In 17 B.C., having brought peace and prosperity to the whole Roman Empire after centuries of non-stop war, revolution, and upheaval, having, indeed, brought peace to the Mediterranean world for the first time since man began to live there, Caesar Augustus decreed the holding of the Secular Games: six days of athletics, entertainment, and religious … Continue reading Songs at the Heights of Empire
Author: DBreitenbeck
Poem – “Solitude”
There is in stillness oft a magic powerTo calm the breast, when struggling passions lower;Touch'd by its influence, in the soul ariseDiviner feelings, kindred with the skies.By this the Arab's kindling thoughts expand,When circling skies inclose the desert sand;For this the hermit seeks the thickest grove,To catch th' inspiring glow of heavenly love.It is not … Continue reading Poem – “Solitude”
He Is Risen
Alleluia!
Friday Flotsam: Good Friday
No flotsam today. Watch and Pray.
Poem – “A More Humane Mikado”
MIKADOA more humane Mikado neverDid in Japan exist,To nobody second,I'm certainly reckonedA true philanthropist. It is my very humane endeavourTo make, to some extent,Each evil liverA running riverOf harmless merriment. My object all sublimeI shall achieve in time—To let the punishment fit the crime—The punishment fit the crime;And make each prisoner pentUnwillingly representA source of … Continue reading Poem – “A More Humane Mikado”
Friday Flotsam: Caesar and ‘Scarlet and the Black’
1. Starting a much-needed break for Easter time. Don't have much time left in school after that; only about ten or twelve class days. It's rushed by faster than I thought, and I've really enjoyed my first year teaching. Right now the plan is to figure out a way to keep doing it and earn … Continue reading Friday Flotsam: Caesar and ‘Scarlet and the Black’
Poem – “A Dream Within a Dream”
Take this kiss upon the brow!And, in parting from you now,Thus much let me avow—You are not wrong, who deemThat my days have been a dream;Yet if hope has flown awayIn a night, or in a day,In a vision, or in none,Is it therefore the less gone?All that we see or seemIs but a dream … Continue reading Poem – “A Dream Within a Dream”
Friday Flotsam: Mostly Movies, Some Space
1. Movie night a few weeks back was Ride the High Country, one of the great 'twilight westerns' made at a time when everyone knew that the genre was a dying breed. The stars who were most associated with it were getting older and the country was losing the classical values that had animated it. … Continue reading Friday Flotsam: Mostly Movies, Some Space
“Six Honest Serving Men” – Poem
I keep six honest serving-men(They taught me all I knew);Their names are What and Why and WhenAnd How and Where and Who.I send them over land and sea,I send them east and west;But after they have worked for me,I give them all a rest. I let them rest from nine till five,For I am busy … Continue reading “Six Honest Serving Men” – Poem
Saturday Flotsam: ‘Virginian’ and Male-Written Romances
1. Had bad insomnia this week, which seems to have messed with my immune system and my cold is back just as the last symptoms were fading away. At least it seems to be pretty mild in its new bid for mastery, so I'm hoping it won't get in the way of anything, but it's … Continue reading Saturday Flotsam: ‘Virginian’ and Male-Written Romances
Serpent's Den 