At morn- at noon- at twilight dim- Maria! thou hast heard my hymn! In joy and woe- in good and ill- Mother of God, be with me still! When the hours flew brightly by, And not a cloud obscured the sky, My soul, lest it should truant be, Thy grace did guide to thine and … Continue reading Poetry – “Hymn” (Repost)
Saturday Flotsam: Fairy Tales, ‘Heavy Rain’, Diplomacy
1. My first semester of full-time teaching is rapidly approaching its end. I'll be making exams this weekend. It's been an extremely educational experience for me, whether or not my students can say the same. 2. Is there anyone left in the world who doesn't know that the Brother's Grimm's fairy tales are generally more … Continue reading Saturday Flotsam: Fairy Tales, ‘Heavy Rain’, Diplomacy
Poem – “The Destruction of Sennacherib”
The Assyrian came down like the wolf on the fold,And his cohorts were gleaming in purple and gold;And the sheen of their spears was like stars on the sea,When the blue wave rolls nightly on deep Galilee. Like the leaves of the forest when Summer is green,That host with their banners at sunset were seen:Like … Continue reading Poem – “The Destruction of Sennacherib”
Friday Flotsam: Thanksgiving and More 80s Movies
1. Happy belated Thanksgiving, everyone! 2. Yesterday was my first 'solo' Thanksgiving. My stuffing didn't turn out very well, but at least I had some turkey legs. Per tradition I opened the holiday season with a viewing of The Star Wars Holiday Special courtesy of rifftrax ("there's murder in his eyes; I like where this … Continue reading Friday Flotsam: Thanksgiving and More 80s Movies
Marking Godzilla’s 70th Anniversary at the ‘Everyman’
The Godzilla series turned seventy years old this month, and I marked the occasion by writing a piece for The Everyman (which is now on Substack): There are few cinematic creations that achieve the status of genuine myth; of a tale embodying deep, complex truths about the world and of the civilization that gave them … Continue reading Marking Godzilla’s 70th Anniversary at the ‘Everyman’
Poem – “Background” (repost)
(Because yesterday was my birthday, and this one seems fitting) I never can be tied to raw, new things,For I first saw the light in an old town,Where from my window huddled roofs sloped downTo a quaint harbour rich with visionings.Streets with carved doorways where the sunset beamsFlooded old fanlights and small window-panes,And Georgian steeples … Continue reading Poem – “Background” (repost)
Another Year Older and I’m In Cirsova
It's my birthday yet again, and as always this song comes to mind: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MuJA5WwaL_A I'm a little less melancholy than usual this year (thought still with plenty of black bile to get along with), as this is the first time I've had a day job that I'm actually invested in (emotionally; financially I could use … Continue reading Another Year Older and I’m In Cirsova
Friday Flotsam: Tiresome Internet Videos, Boxing, and ‘Star Trek’
1. I am extremely thankful that there is a break coming up: the last few weeks have been exhausting. Working with teenagers is no joke. 2. Ridley Scott really needs to retire. All accounts are that Gladiator II is...well, exactly as bad as you'd expect a 2024 sequel to a highly-regarded film from 2000 to … Continue reading Friday Flotsam: Tiresome Internet Videos, Boxing, and ‘Star Trek’
Poem – “My Boy Jack”
"Have you news of my boy Jack? "Not this tide."When d'you think that he'll come back?"Not with this wind blowing, and this tide. "Has any one else had word of him?"Not this tide.For what is sunk will hardly swim,Not with this wind blowing, and this tide. "Oh, dear, what comfort can I find?"None this tide,Nor … Continue reading Poem – “My Boy Jack”
Saturday Flotsam: Mostly ‘The Hobbit’
1. I'm extra late this week. I wish I could say it was for a good reason, but it isn't. 2. My class finished reading The Hobbit this week (I pretty much gave two whole periods to almost nothing but reading because I'm realizing how little time is left in the first semester). As always, … Continue reading Saturday Flotsam: Mostly ‘The Hobbit’
Serpent's Den 