-
@Ron: What do you think Trump did in his first term that was unique or made a positive impact on…
During his first term Trump walked into the White House with no experience in government, so he selected a lot…
To give a specific example: When I first moved to Oregon, the state had a rule against government organizations replacing…
Eliminating unnecessary jobs to focus on the actual core functions of the Federal government is the epitome of increasing efficiency.…
-
Category Archives: Writing
Farid al-Din Attar: A Reading Journal 6
Here’s another quote from The Conference of the Birds: But think of some new pilgrim, some young boy, Whose boldness comes from mere excess of joy; He has no certain knowledge of the Way, And what seems rudeness is but … Continue reading
Posted in Iran, Religion, Writing
2 Comments
My Work as a Translator “Spotlighted” on Intralingo
Lisa Carter has been running a series on her blog, Intralingo, in which she spotlights literary translators, and she’s just posted mine. Here’s an excerpt from my answer to her question What do you love most and least about [translating]? [W]hat I … Continue reading
Posted in Writing
7 Comments
One of My Favorite Poems by Saadi of Shiraz
I’ve been thinking about this poem a lot lately, because what it says could easily have been labeled heresy by the authorities of Saadi’s time, which was 13th century Iran, and an accusation of heresy could, conceivably, have gotten him … Continue reading
Two Pieces of Good News to Share
In April, I was fortunate to be part of the Poetry Heals program cosponsored by my published, CavanKerry Press, and the New Jersey Council for the Humanities. The program brings poets to hospitals to lead workshop for health care providers … Continue reading
Posted in Writing
Comments Off on Two Pieces of Good News to Share
For All Academics/Writers Who Read Alas: A Call for Papers You Might be Interested In
In April 2014, I will be chairing a seminar called “Writers & Critics: Gender Studies Forum” at the Northeast Modern Language Association’s annual conference in Harrisberg, Pennsylvania (April 3-6). The conference website is here and the full CFP page is here. Listed … Continue reading
Would You Give Your Life for Your Art?
People often tell me that my poems are brave, that reciting them publicly takes courage. I understand what they mean by that, and I thank them for the compliment they intend, but it also always makes me cringe. I think … Continue reading
Posted in Afghanistan, Writing
5 Comments
Farid al-Din Attar Translation in Progress: “Do The Latter”
I find the politics of this poem fascinating. For Attar to show this much respect for a religious tradition he describes in such barbaric terms, suggests a willingness to grant a certain level of validity to other beliefs that I … Continue reading
Posted in Writing
Comments Off on Farid al-Din Attar Translation in Progress: “Do The Latter”
Attar in Progress: “This Tale Applies to You”
This is a story that has been told in several different versions. Here is my first pass at Attar’s take on it in Elahi Nameh. Izrail is the name of the Angel of Death: I’ve heard that one day Izrail, … Continue reading
Posted in Writing
4 Comments
Review of “No Ocean Here,” by Sweta Srivastava Vikram
Let’s get the obvious, by which I do not mean inconsequential, out of the way first. When a writer chooses to use her art to give voice to those who might otherwise be voiceless, that choice deserves to be recognized … Continue reading
Posted in Writing
Comments Off on Review of “No Ocean Here,” by Sweta Srivastava Vikram
Because Men Only Understand Cliches
That’s the title and the title poem of my second book of poetry, on which I have just put the finishing touches and which I will, over the next couple weeks, start shopping around to publishers. LIke last time–which was … Continue reading
Posted in Writing
Comments Off on Because Men Only Understand Cliches
the people he picks to work in his administration are supposed to support that effort as long as they don’t…