Author Archives: JMN

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.

Straddling Odysseus

Posted on August 12, 2026 by JMN

“Processing Nolan’s “Odyssey” is its own odyssey.” (Frank Bruni) It’s a family-friendly audiovisual spectacle, like an elaborate Fourth of July fireworks display — and with about the same level of narrative and emotional depth… It lacks psychological, emotional, political and … Continue reading →

Posted in Quotations | Tagged art, film, language | 3 Comments

Hey, Chesterton!

Posted on August 9, 2026 by JMN

Pious bromides don’t cut the mustard.A stance that dines on meaty homilyPeels potatoes in the feast of sacrifice.Report of rapture scarcely can make feltThat rage of loving kindness that’s broadcastFrom the backside of Beyond and slamsHot piety with undeciphered clout. … Continue reading →

Posted in Anthology | Tagged doggerel, language, spirituality | 2 Comments

Suddenly I Understand

Posted on August 8, 2026 by JMN

Her eyes are bleary with sleeplessness. She “watches over” stars all night as if she were a shepherd and they her flock. She hardly bothers to dress herself other than in tatters. Arabian poet Al-Khansā’ (d. 645 AD) starts to … Continue reading →

Posted in Anthology | Tagged Arabic-English, language, poetry, reading, translation | Leave a comment

Confession

Posted on August 5, 2026 by JMN

I confess to a proclivity (morbid?) for depicting faces in various states of contortion. A face at rest, unless it’s grizzled or reflective of a corrupt soul, has bland contours. States of agitation are what lay bare the deserts, mountains … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary | Tagged drawing, language, painting | 2 Comments

How to Positively Cry

Posted on August 3, 2026 by JMN

No matter where life takes me,I carry this love. I carry my part. This ending to Aaiún Nin’s long-ish discursive poem “McDonald’s Money” made me cry. Not from sadness, but because it crowns a fine writing with the keen point … Continue reading →

Posted in Anthology | Tagged language, poetry, reading | 2 Comments

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Future

Posted on August 1, 2026 by JMN

On June 24, 2026, the academic summit on the topic of “Extreme Heat” scheduled to be held in London, England at the London School of Economics Shore Library was canceled due to extreme heat. (c) 2026 JMN — EthicalDative. All … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary | Tagged heat | 4 Comments

The Unary That Hogs Validity

Posted on July 30, 2026 by JMN

— Which inscrutable monad is the Valid? Who doesn’t court surmise there could be None?Beings unconceived with wings strongly matterTo the hotly spooked who swing a prophet’s hammer. Say a godspell ambushed seers in Bronze Age lands:“Unmoving Mover placed us … Continue reading →

Posted in Anthology | Tagged doggerel, language | 1 Comment

The Guitars and Drums Do Most of the Talking

Posted on July 26, 2026 by JMN

Since I fancy myself poetry curious, I’m ashamed that the lyrics of most rock songs constitute for me so little of the listening experience. I rarely register more than the odd phrase that penetrates the instrumental layer. The frontpersons (I … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary | Tagged language, music, style | Leave a comment

There Is No ‘I’ in ‘Poet’

Posted on July 24, 2026 by JMN

Posted in Anthology | Tagged doggerel, language | 2 Comments

Trumpetss Ssound, End Timess Hiss

Posted on July 20, 2026 by JMN

An overt latent sshiftiness, both andss,Neither norss, never alwayss the ssame;Sslithering duness, conssisstent sshifting ssands,Familiar, sscarcely recognissable;Crucible, crux, ssacrifice, ssuffering, sshame. F-150’s rifle rack naked, gunBaked. Cup of staggering fisted. SonNailed, lanced, bled, mocked, screwed.In car nato birthed, hanged from … Continue reading →

Posted in Anthology | Tagged doggerel, language | 4 Comments