He says he doesn’t care. He says he makes a point of not caring. He says he prefers faithlessness for himself and his “love.” Methinks he doth protest too much. He may think so, too. Anyone who advocates apathy risks … Continue reading
At this rate, perhaps I should call the series A Donne Every So Often, or maybe A Donne A Day Most Days. Here’s one of Donne’s most famous lyrics, “The Sun Rising.” It’s a different twist on the “aubade,” or … Continue reading
This one’s a little hard to follow and may take a couple of listens before it begins to sink in. My commentary follows the poem and may make it easier, or harder, to understand. You tell me, dear listener. The … Continue reading
The UMW Faculty Academy on Instructional Technology was a wild and wonderful ride. I’m not recovered; in fact, I may never recover, and I don’t think I’ll mind. More on that exhilarating event soon. For now, however, A Donne A … Continue reading
A colleague at the UMW graduation ceremonies today asked me if I would be offering helpful commentary in my Donne podcasts for all those folks who have trouble with poetry, especially older verse. I’m mulling over the request and would … Continue reading
Here’s my summer podcast series: A Donne A Day. Each day I’ll read a poem by the English Renaissance poet John Donne. The idea is to share this extraordinary poetry with you, to read it in such a way that … Continue reading
Recently I couldn’t help myself. I suppose that could apply to many recencies, if that’s even a word. Couldn’t we go to some special hotel to work on taking the long view, one with a sign outside that said “No … Continue reading
Gardner Writes appeared fifteen years ago today. Well: I’ve told the story in many other places of how I began blogging, inspired by Gene Roche and Bryan Alexander and Mary Donnelly and Brian Lamb and Barbara Ganley and Jon Udell … Continue reading
Dr. Diane Kelsey McColley, the scholar who saved my life, the colleague who encouraged my work, the friend whom I loved and will always love, has passed away. Today Diane lives within a light I cannot imagine, but one I … Continue reading
When I got to college, I discovered there was a thing called intellectual history. Part of intellectual history, I also learned, was intellectual lineage: not just idea leading to idea, but thinker leading to thinker. Groups of writers interacting synchronously … Continue reading