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Author Archives: JMN
Mona Kareem’s ‘Nights’: Stanzas 3-4
This post is continued from here. Poetry, May 2023 publishes the Arabic text of Mona Kareem’s poem Lailayāt (“Nights”) along with a translation into English by Sara Elkamel. I can’t vary in any interesting way Sara Elkamel’s excellent, close translation … Continue reading
Notes on Poetry (Surprise)
“I know this sounds strange, but I think the elephant was also surprised that there were people in the room.” (John Kenney) (“The Elephant in the Room: An Oral History,” newyorker.com, 5-24-23) (c) 2023 JMN — EthicalDative. All rights reserved
Mona Kareem’s ‘Nights’: Stanza 2
This post is continued from here. Poetry, May 2023 publishes the Arabic text of Mona Kareem’s poem Lailayāt (“Nights”) along with a translation into English by Sara Elkamel. 2A cloud comes into view.God smiles, it’s my belief, for the hapless … Continue reading
Notes on Poetry (‘Expressing the Unsaid’)
He was so handsome, so fine and flinty and long-boned, that he was a shock to be around — he made people stupid, or teary, or angry or skin-starved, sometimes all at once. (Dwight Garner) (Dwight Garner, “Sam Shepard and … Continue reading
Mona Kareem’s ‘Nights’: Stanza 1
I’m pleased to encounter Mona Kareem in Poetry, May 2023 after first reading of her in Arablit & Arablit Quarterly. The Poetry issue prints the Arabic text of Kareem’s poem Lailayāt (“Nights”) along with a translation into English by Sara … Continue reading
On the Language Front
This is a headline in USA Today: 3M fires long-time executive Michael Vale amid ‘inappropriate personal misconduct’ claims. We’re not savages. All misconduct, be it personal or professional, should be rigorously appropriate. This is from The New York Times: Ms. … Continue reading
It’s About Being About Stuff
It’s about God and Country. It’s about We the People. It’s about How the West Was Won. It’s about Living Off the Land. It’s about the Constitution. It’s about Good Policing. It’s about Secure Schools. It’s about Mental Health. It’s … Continue reading
Arabic and Me
Pursuit of a resistant task, if persevered in stubbornly and passionately at any age, even if only for a short time, generates a kind of cognitive opiate that has no equivalent… The beautiful paradox is that pursuing things we may … Continue reading
Portmanteau Play
I love classic portmanteau words such as “spurious” — a blend of “specious” and “curious.” It’s fun to invent new ones and fantasize that one day they, too, may “go viral” as the expression puts it. A triumph of mine … Continue reading
EthicalDative 
Once More Into the Breach, Dear Solons!
The country is experiencing mass mental health incidents in front yards, parking lots, retail centers, worship and entertainment venues, schools, parks, clubs, sporting events, parties — wherever 4 or more targets like to congregate. State governments are circling around the … Continue reading →