Holiday Holiday
The ad for the American moment says, “Make today famous.” (That little nobody!) Bury her under the foundation. Rome did. Have her wear that seasonal affective collapse get up. Keep an eye- in-the-sky on it
Aug 29, 2012 / Books & the Arts / Rae Armantrout
‘Poem about My Rights’: Todd Akin, Meet June Jordan ‘Poem about My Rights’: Todd Akin, Meet June Jordan
Todd Akin, Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan all have me thinking of June Jordan’s great “Poem about My Rights.”
Aug 22, 2012 / Books & the Arts / Laura Flanders
Ayn Rand Ayn Rand
(Sung to the tune of “Blue Moon”) Paul Ryan has said that the writings of Ayn Rand were what inspired him to go into public life. —News reports Ayn Rand Because of you I’m now free. Because of what you have taught, I know it’s all about me. Ayn Rand You taught we should be ambitious, And strive to be avaricious, Since money’s truly delicious. And we shouldn’t share a nickel of this money With citizens who can’t prevail. The government is not the Easter Bunny. The poor are weaklings who deserved to fail. Ayn Rand Before you I was immobile But then you taught me to know That being selfish is noble.
Aug 22, 2012 / Column / Calvin Trillin
Liehards: On Political Hypocrisy Liehards: On Political Hypocrisy
Hard truths about lying in politics
Aug 22, 2012 / Books & the Arts / Sophia Rosenfeld
Shelf Life Shelf Life
W.G. Sebald’s Across the Land and the Water: Selected Poems, 1964–2001; Saturn's Moons; Grant Gee’s Patience (After Sebald).
Aug 22, 2012 / Books & the Arts / Peter C. Baker
The Stone Dies Away Also: On Jimmie Durham The Stone Dies Away Also: On Jimmie Durham
Does a sculptor destroy things or merely change them?
Aug 22, 2012 / Books & the Arts / Barry Schwabsky
Behind the Bureau: On the FBI Behind the Bureau: On the FBI
Tim Weiner’s Enemies is not so much a history of the FBI as a compendium of interesting historical material.
Aug 22, 2012 / Books & the Arts / Beverly Gage
Tiny Gold Dress Tiny Gold Dress
Days so fleet you have to’ve seen unruly ones I do all the time Someone I soon trust puts your hand in mine Just what I’m looking for Start with the body and search me Won’t find me sleeping I dig my six feet and you stand there in your tiny gold dress Can’t believe my eyes Your smile knows Your ever so slight lisp Ahead of me in the opposite direction Big man alerts me I shed little bits of chivalry I caress like one bereaved Forethought and hindsight in the flesh Peanut shells under bed Lamp nearby of fire and roses Ribbons of smoke sketch momentarily an orchid
Aug 22, 2012 / Books & the Arts / John Godfrey
A World of Hillbilly Heroin A World of Hillbilly Heroin
The hollowing out of America, up close and personal.
Aug 21, 2012 / Books & the Arts / Chris Hedges and Joe Sacco
Remembering Karl Benjamin Remembering Karl Benjamin
Benjamin was greatly admired for his serious and dedicated approach to painting, his investment in those he chose to mentor and for being a truly kind soul.
Aug 17, 2012 / Books & the Arts / The Nation