Author Archives: JMN

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About JMN

I live in Texas and devote much of my time to easel painting on an amateur basis. I stream a lot of music, mostly jazz, throughout the day. I like to read and memorize poetry.

‘I Came Into the World Very Young’

Posted on July 16, 2025 by JMN

I discovered Satie long ago through Gymnopédies and Gnossiennes, and liked the music immediately. I thought of him as a “minor” composer, and I was drawn to perceived niche tastes. I crave even now the unmoored feeling that his music … Continue reading →

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Untie These Hidebound Eyes, Unbind These Hogtied Hands

Posted on July 12, 2025 by JMN

Jason Farago-rhymes-with-Chicago writes a deep, reflective appreciation of Cézanne’s work, calling Cézanne the first painter he ever loved.  BC*: For six centuries, ever since some scientifically minded Florentines had developed rules of perspective that made art look more like life, … Continue reading →

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Eric’s Song: Triolet La-La-La

Posted on July 9, 2025 by JMN

“I have never been more proud of our company. Our portfolio is operating flawlessly, and 2025 will mark the strongest year in the remarkable history of the Trump Organization.”(Eric Trump) Papa got his swerve on.(Mojo Monkeys) A Congress cowed and … Continue reading →

Posted in Anthology | Tagged | 3 Comments

Death in Venice: Triolet

Posted on July 6, 2025 by JMN

The problem with the world is there’s only one of it. If something goes wrong there isn’t a backup. It just grinds on, full of the error. (Luke Allan) A An Amazon swamps Venice’s lagoon.B The world, it just grinds … Continue reading →

Posted in Anthology | Tagged | 2 Comments

‘Technically God Isn’t a “Him”’

Posted on July 3, 2025 by JMN

‘*Technically God isn’t a “him.” But the English language doesn’t provide a suitable singular, non-gender term for us to use (“it” implies an object or non-sentient being).’ (Mitch Teemley) Mitch Teemley’s observation touches usefully upon the volatile topic of “they” … Continue reading →

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Guide for the Perplexed

Posted on July 1, 2025 by JMN

“… When I don’t know what to do next, I tend to throw everything at it, be as expressive or as minimalist or as detailed as I can, reach for bright colours or keep it monochrome, look intensely or scribble … Continue reading →

Posted in Quotations | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Spasms of Lunacy: Triolet

Posted on June 29, 2025 by JMN

There are lessons to be found in these ancient desks where many hearts are gouged.(Peter Kline) A There are lessons to be found in theseB Halls where horny boys now dead had trudged. c The ancient desks where many hearts … Continue reading →

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‘Ebullient, Rigorous and Boastfully Esoteric’

Posted on June 23, 2025 by JMN

Walker Mimms’s treatment of Hilma af Klint is elegant, lyrical, explicit. Ebullient, rigorous and boastfully esoteric, these “Nature Studies,” as she called them, reveal the didactic side of a pioneer in nonliteral art. This is an economical show of some … Continue reading →

Posted in Quotations | Tagged , , | 7 Comments

Campaign in Poetry, Govern in Fiction

Posted on June 20, 2025 by JMN

“Eggs have come down 400%. Everybody has eggs now.”— Trump, apparently unaware prices can only drop 100% Say What? Archive No no, it’s true. Eggs aren’t only FREE now, grocery stores are PAYING customers to walk out with plenty of … Continue reading →

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Caviar Bumps at Butterworth’s: Triolet

Posted on June 18, 2025 by JMN

A The scene is festive. Where the flames are fedB Tainted choirs croon, “More and more is less.”c Spuds fried in tallow — gag me with a spoon!A The scene is festive where the flames are fed.a In the eyes, … Continue reading →

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