Reasonable Cause Reasonable Cause
Imagine cities you've Inhabited, streets Paved in lava stone. You never intended to pray In the temples, had Nothing to sell. Now imagine yourself Returning to those same cities. The river flows, the summit Emerges each morning from the haze. Hunt for people you knew, Knock on their doors. Ask yourself Where are the vases, animals Etched in gold? Where are the wines From distant places, Banquets ferreted From the bowels of the earth? While you were missing Other people wore Your garments, Slept in your bed. How frightening The man who said In his affliction Wood has hope. Cut down It will flourish. If the root grows old And the trunk withers In dust, at the scent of water It will germinate.
Jun 1, 2006 / Books & the Arts / James Longenbach
The Master of Modernismo The Master of Modernismo
Nicaraguan poet Rubén Darío, all but unknown in English-speaking countries, had a global impact on literature, ushering Spanish poetry into the modern era.
Jan 25, 2006 / Books & the Arts / Roberto González Echevarría
La Vie de Bohème La Vie de Bohème
Drawing from the New York counterculture in which he immersed himself, Ted Berrigan's sonnets and other poems sing beautifully about being broken and graceful and tough.
Jan 4, 2006 / Books & the Arts / John Palattella
Dr. Fun Dr. Fun
Kenneth Koch was one of the merrier in the bunch known as the New York School of poets. But he was more than just a poet of humor. He sought the essential nature of human existence...
Jan 4, 2006 / Books & the Arts / Melanie Rehak
2005 Lenore Marshall Poetry Prize 2005 Lenore Marshall Poetry Prize
Anne Winters's The Displaced of Capital, winner of the 2005 Lenore Marshall Poetry Prize, is a reflective, documentary and visionary volume of poetry inspired by the city of New Yo...
Dec 15, 2005 / Books & the Arts / Robert Pinsky
Don’t Criticize Me Don’t Criticize Me
Karl Rove and his Singing Slimemeisters riff You Go To My Head.
Nov 17, 2005 / Books & the Arts / Calvin Trillin
Scooter Libby: A Republican Nursery Rhyme Scooter Libby: A Republican Nursery Rhyme
Catching small fry, letting the big fish go.
Nov 3, 2005 / Books & the Arts / Calvin Trillin
Another Miracle From Bill Frist Another Miracle From Bill Frist
The doctor who proved himself a master of distant diagosis has one more trick up his sleeve.
Oct 27, 2005 / Books & the Arts / Calvin Trillin
Deadline for Saddam Deadline for Saddam
Saddam Hussein went to trial on Wednesday declaring he was still the president of Iraq. A series of odes a decade ago to Hussein's dictatorial days show the tyrant was always out ...
Oct 24, 2005 / Books & the Arts / Calvin Trillin
One Possible Scenario One Possible Scenario
One twisted tale of how Harriet Miers's confirmation hearings will unfold.
Oct 20, 2005 / Books & the Arts / Calvin Trillin