Category: Books
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Andrew Marvell and His Coy Mistress
Today is the birthday of Andrew Marvell (March 31,1621 – August 16,1678), the author of one of the most anthologized love poems, To His Coy Mistress. I love the poem. I saw it described somewhere as a lover asking a virgin to sleep with him. But that is overlooking its…
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The Gift Outright by Robert Frost
Today is the birthday of Robert Frost, who was born on March 26, 1874. His poems make us think of rural New England, but he was born in San Francisco. Here is the poem he read at the inauguration of President Kennedy in January 1961. The poet died in Boston…
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Lawrence Ferlinghetti is 94
Today is the birthday of Lawrence Ferlinghetti, says The Writer’s Almanac. His 94th birthday! just think of it. I first read him in a Penguin paperback which included a selection of poems by him, Allen Ginsberg and Gregory Corso. Here are two of his poems: I Am Waiting Sometime During…
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The art of Billy Collins
Billy Collins, who turned 72 yesterday (March 22), was once called the most popular poet in America by the New York Times. I love some of his poems that speak to me like a friend, telling stories in intimate, picturesque detail; I listen, completely spellbound, unable to interrupt, and the…
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Updike on writing
John Updike, Wilfred Owen and George Plimpton were all born on March 18, reminds the Writer’s Almanac. My favourite writer, the most celebrated First World War poet, and Plimpton, the founding editor of the Paris Review, which he helmed from 1953 till his death in 2003. I remember reading excerpts…
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A tide in the affairs of men
The Ides of March had me looking up Julius Caesar, recalling my favourite lines from Shakespeare’s play. There is a tide in the affairs of menWhich, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune;Omitted, all the voyage of their lifeIs bound in shallows and in miseries.On such a full sea…
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Faulks Wodehouse or faux pas?
Carry On, Jeeves? No way, not when the Master is dead. The devotees are crying blue murder, aghast at the forthcoming tale about Wooster and Jeeves not written by PG Wodehouse himself . They are astounded by the audacity of Sebastian Faulks, who is adding a sequel to the canon…
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Fowler’s memorable preface
Yesterday was the birthday of Henry Watson Fowler, the man who wrote one of the most famous books on English language, reminded the Writer’s Almanac. I love Fowler’s Modern English Usage. The opening lines are as memorable as anything written by the finest English novelists. Jane Austen and Charles Dickens…
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Poe’s Raven
So the only American football team named after a literary work has won the Superbowl. The Baltimore Ravens are named after The Raven, a poem by Edgar Allan Poe (1809-1849), who lived for some time in Baltimore. He was born in Boston, though. The most famous man of letters from…
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Office Friendships, Hurried Love and Prayer by Gavin Ewart
The Writer’s Almanac reminded me today is the birthday of Gavin Ewart (February 4, 1916 -October 25,1995). Here are some of his poems I found online and liked them so much they had to be here. Office Friendships Eve is madly in love with HughAnd Hugh is keen on Jim.Charles…
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