Encouragement

A Summary of the Responses to the Lesson Plan on the Texas Floods

We can celebrate the original, thoughtful contributions of earnest students.

basho

Bashō, "Here, where a thousand captains swore"

The only legacy which matters is a space for others.

philosophy

On Plato's Cave

Why is Plato's Allegory of the Cave compelling? Why has it captivated readers for centuries?

poetry

Yosa Buson, "The old fisherman"

I wonder if this is aging: refusing to look elsewhere, focusing on the object in front.

poetry

Seamus Heaney, "North"

We travel to see history and find dust.

poetry

Kay Ryan, "Why We Must Struggle"

At some point, the world is in fact a moral order, because it cannot be otherwise.

american politics

On American Nihilism

This is how we have destroyed the world, with an absolute right to "takes."

philosophy

Existentialism and the Concept of Man

Some turn to philosophy to be able to tell everyone else they're wrong.

american politics

Lesson Plan: The Texas Floods & The Responsibility of Government

What follows assumes that the language of the Preamble, most especially "establish Justice" and "promote the general welfare," is part of the social contract.

poetry

Charles Simic, "In the Street"

Simic's "In the Street" voices a compelling, somewhat hopeless romanticism.

american politics

Lots of projects. They're getting done. Will they be completed?

I've got notebooks filled with scribbles I barely understand, bookmarks on pages I vaguely remember.

philosophy

Brand Blanshard, "On Philosophical Style"

A thin, orange volume, it got in the way of my mouse when I played computer games or kept the comic books on my shelf company.

american politics

On the Present Ugliness

Everything is so ugly nowadays, even as the ugliest scenes are somewhat concealed.

american politics

Re: Imani Perry, "Art Is a Powerful Tool to Fight Racial Injustice"

Imani Perry's "Art Is a Powerful Tool to Fight Racial Injustice" compels us to clarify our urge to "do something."

american politics

Why Should You Care About Birthright Citizenship? Also, What's Happening in NYC?

We don't really need to respect the arguments of people who only want to say racist stuff about their neighbors.

poetry

Wisława Szymborska, "Vermeer"

I've encountered plenty of monsters who have immersed themselves in what they think is a moral vision.

poetry

Emily Dickinson, "I never saw a Moor" (1052)

You don't have to be a pagan to know that some areas are meant to be wild and untouched.

american politics

Explainer: Who is Stephen Miller?

As of this moment, he's essentially the President.

poetry

Andrea Cohen, "Seaside"

It's funny how planning can be the achievement itself.

poetry

Kay Ryan, "We’re Building the Ship as We Sail It"

...you shouldn’t reason the same way in emergencies as you do when things are normal.

poetry

Kay Ryan, "Crocodile Tears"

The tropes are in charge, far more than actual people.

poetry

Marcin Świetlicki, "Photograph"

It is not a loss to recognize how you remember and how you love.

poetry

Robert Creeley, "Small Time"

Robert Creeley's "Small Time" is a conversational poem.

poetry

Emily Dickinson, "Spring is the Period" (844)

You will have your days on Earth and they will be numbered.

poetry

Marcin Świetlicki, "April 1, Wągrowiec, Poland"

Świetlicki grabs you, spins you around, and throws you into a dark, remote place.