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.

“Swimming in Words”

Posted on August 31, 2018 by JMN

“The most we can do is to write — intelligently, creatively, critically, evocatively — about what it is like living in the world at this time.” (Oliver Sacks, quoted by Bill Hayes, “Swimming in Words With Oliver Sacks,” NYTimes, 8-30-18) … Continue reading →

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Monkey THIS Up

Posted on August 31, 2018 by JMN

A Florida white man running for office against a black man has said voters shouldn’t “monkey this up.” I’ve been listening nonstop to Wayne Shorter for three days. Mr. Shorter doesn’t monkey up the music scene. He towers among his … Continue reading →

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“A Prayer for My Daughter” (6)

Posted on August 28, 2018 by JMN

A Prayer for My Daughter by W.B. Yeats (Spanish translation by James Mansfield Nichols) https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poetrymagazine/poems/14635/a-prayer-for-my-daughter A Prayer for My Daughter (6) May she become a flourishing hidden tree, That all her thoughts may like the linnet be, And have no … Continue reading →

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Good Pipes, Bad Vibes

Posted on August 28, 2018 by JMN

I experience a jolt of sad satisfaction in catching myself being two-faced about something. I’ve listened to many of the classic crooners at one time, but not much to Frank Sinatra now. I think it’s because I stumble a bit … Continue reading →

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Classroom Follies

Posted on August 28, 2018 by JMN

In my high school Spanish classes I tried to prepare my students to be aware of stressed syllables. They knew about haiku — more than I did — from their English teachers. They knew of its 5-7-5 syllable count. I … Continue reading →

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“A Prayer for My Daughter” (5)

Posted on August 27, 2018 by JMN

A Prayer for My Daughter by W. B. Yeats (Spanish translation by James Mansfield Nichols) https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poetrymagazine/poems/14635/a-prayer-for-my-daughter A Prayer for My Daughter (5) In courtesy I’d have her chiefly learned; Hearts are not had as a gift, but hearts are earned … Continue reading →

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“Big ego, low self-esteem”

Posted on August 26, 2018 by JMN

Is there a certain type of artwork that you keep in your bedroom? Strangely, there are works of mine in the bedroom, but they’re not works that I’ve shown. They’re experiments with painting, plants and patterns, very quiet things. I … Continue reading →

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A Poet Fights for the Environment

Posted on August 26, 2018 by JMN

His war is fought for the survival of such menaced species as the unique richness of butterflies in [Mexico’s] forests, turtles along her coastlines, whales in her waters. Such matters, however urgent, were “outrageously absent” from debate or discourse before … Continue reading →

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“A Prayer for My Daughter” (4)

Posted on August 25, 2018 by JMN

“A Prayer for My Daughter” by W.B. Yeats (Spanish translation by James Mansfield Nichols) https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poetrymagazine/poems/14635/a-prayer-for-my-daughter A Prayer for My Daughter (4) Helen, being chosen, found life flat and dull, And later had much trouble from a fool; While that great … Continue reading →

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Ear Fatigue Syndrome and Recovery

Posted on August 25, 2018 by JMN

The wireless speakers strewn about The Shed burble from their niches most of the day. Some days I think I’ve divined the secret of much jazz that I listen to: Play only the notes that are not hummable. I say … Continue reading →

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