About ten days ago, NYTimes columnist Paul Krugman got to the core of the problem with the national Republican party. When one side opts out of the agreed-to rules of elections and governing in a democracy, the system cannot function effectively. If your attitude is going to be that you…
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MassMoments reminds us that on this day – July 23, 1846 – Henry David Thoreau after walking from his Walden Pond cabin to do an errand – found himself in the Concord town jail for refusing to pay his back taxes. His was just an over-night stay – as someone…
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According to Lawrence City Clerk William Moloney, the petition to recall Mayor William Lantigua will be ready today. The citizen group “It’s Your Right” led by activist Reverend Edwin Rodriguez with help from others like Wayne Hayes – need to gather at least 5,232 signatures or 15 percent of the…
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“After” is a book of letters in the form of poems that poignantly describes the author’s life and experiences as a child before, during and after the Khmer Rouge. It traces the author’s journey out of Cambodia to the United States and the experiences he had thereafter, through loss of…
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Here’s another softball poem from the vault. This one was first published in the literary journal “Kennebec” at the University of Maine, Augusta. I spent many summer days in Maine during the 1970s and ’80s, visiting a friend who lived near Ellsworth. I brought this poem to a writing workshop…
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Last week, one day around suppertime I was walking our family’s Boston Terrier on the South Common and I had what I can only describe as a sense memory. The strong sun, bright sky, dry air, grass underfoot, and voices bouncing through the park made me think that the evening was perfect…
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From the Prelude to Part First of – “The Vision of Sir Launfal” by James Russell Lowell: And what is so rare as a day in June? Then, if ever, come perfect days; Then Heaven tries the earth if it be in tune, And over it softly her warm ear…
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Jacquelyn Malone’s new book of poems, “All Waters Run to Lethe,” will be released at at book party on Sunday, July 17, at 2 p.m., at 153 Sanders Ave. in Lowell. The publisher is Finishing Line Press of Kentucky. Jackie’s work has appeared in many literary journals, including Poetry Magazine, Ploughshares,…
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Rain List Poem . rain rainbow rainbow cactus rainbow trout rain check raincoat raindrop rainfall rain gauge Rainier III Rainier, Mount rainmaker rainmaking rainspout rainsquall rainstorm rain-wash rainwater rainwear rainy rainy day Rainy Lake, Ont. . —The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language (1970 edition)
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Poet and environmental activist Gary Snyder returned to his alma mater Reed College for the school’s centennial. He was profiled recently by Jeff Baker of The Oregonian newspaper for oregonlive.com. Snyder was one of my poet-heroes when I started out on the writing trail. He’s 81 years old and still traveling…
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