Solace in a Book

February 1: new month, new start

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Hello out there! I've had a heck of a time trying to think of what to post. I've been down in the dumps and looking for solace, and it's hard to come by these days. But it's February 1, and I hope to start fresh, with a new resolve. Today marks the birthday of one of my favorite poets, Langston Hughes. You can read more about his life and work at the Academy of American Poets and The Poetry Foundation. His poetry is not in the public domain so I cannot give you an … [Read more...]

Václav Havel, from Disturbing the Peace

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Way back in November, my friend Beth shared this quote with me. I finally remembered to look it up and share it with you. Between 1985 and 1986 Václav Havel did a number of interviews with the Czech journalist Karel Hvížd’ala. The resulting book was called Long-Distance Interrogation; when it was published in English in 1990,  it was titled Disturbing the Peace. From Disturbing the Peace: . . . [T]he kind of hope I often think about (especially in situations that are … [Read more...]

First news of the year –accomplishments and passages

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January is peppermint. Candy canes are the last of the holiday candy. Shadows stripe the days. And the arctic air makes your breath seem almost mentholated. Everything's a little sharper. It is wonderful to see Solace in So Many Words contributors do illustrious things. BIG congrats to Ellen Bass, who recently was elected to the Academy of American Poets Board of Chancellors. BTW, if you resolve to read more poetry this year, check out the Poem-A-Day series. And … [Read more...]

Glimpse of solace: trees in winter

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Winter Trees All the complicated details of the attiring and the disattiring are completed! A liquid moon moves gently among the long branches. Thus having prepared their buds against a sure winter the wise trees stand sleeping in the cold. William Carlos Williams   … [Read more...]