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.

Mona Kareem’s ‘Nights’: Stanza 1

Posted on May 23, 2023 by JMN

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 →

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Once More Into the Breach, Dear Solons!

Posted on May 22, 2023 by JMN

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 →

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On the Language Front

Posted on May 19, 2023 by JMN

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 →

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It’s About Being About Stuff

Posted on May 18, 2023 by JMN

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 →

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Arabic and Me

Posted on May 17, 2023 by JMN

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 →

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Portmanteau Play

Posted on May 14, 2023 by JMN

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 →

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The Poem of as-Samau’al (Mid-6th Century AD): Verses 17-22 (End)

Posted on May 13, 2023 by JMN

This post is continued from here. 17 “Our fire was never snuffed out to a sojourner, and no traveller stopping over has found us wanting.18 “Our days are well known to our enemy. They have marked blazes and pasterns.19 “Our … Continue reading →

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French and Script Plus Line! Christopher Marc Ford Dazzles

Posted on May 12, 2023 by JMN

“figures of dissent” 10/05/23 « Je veux que ce trait serve à [te] dessiner … » – Notre-Dame-des-Fleurs Instagram figures of dissent — Christopher Marc Ford

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From Darkness Into the Light

Posted on May 11, 2023 by JMN

A disgraced politician once promised his followers he’d win so much they’d get tired of all the winning. “Always remember any idiot can win,” Hugh Laurie’s father, an Olympic rowing medalist, told his son. “What he meant,” said Laurie, “was … Continue reading →

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Addled Addiction Ditty

Posted on May 8, 2023 by JMN

You get locked so hard into a wicked beatit’s hard to get locked out.You’re like rocked in you are so into it,so all you do is you rock out.Rock your socks off, get your rocks off,all fucked up is what … Continue reading →

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