Category Archives: Anthology

My collected writings and those of family members.

“Soria” Wrecked: Meter and Rhyme

Posted on September 13, 2018 by JMN

“Soria” by Antonio Machado, Spanish Poet, 1875-1939 From “Campos de Castilla,” Antonio Machado, Biblioteca Anaya, 1964. (English translations by James Mansfield Nichols) Translating into meter is a lost cause, but adding a rhyme scheme escalates it to a punishing lost cause. You’re … Continue reading →

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1987 By the way…

Posted on September 12, 2018 by JMN

[Dear Mother,] By the way: I quoted a piece about biography in my last letter, to the effect that there is always an autobiography lurking. There is a figure that I almost think I’ve dreamed up, but that I know … Continue reading →

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Darrien and Derrick Were Twins

Posted on September 11, 2018 by JMN

Darrien and Derrick Wortham were twins. They looked as much alike as any two children could look. Played varsity ball together under Spunk McGruder. Spunk replaced Moon Wattles after Moon had that little problem in the locker room. Nice boys. … Continue reading →

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This Is Akin to That: Scoping Language

Posted on September 11, 2018 by JMN

“Gun rights groups have vowed to fight such moves [to limit the unfettered sale of bullets]: ‘Raising taxes on bullets to offset the cost of gun violence is akin to putting a levy on prescription drugs to pay for the … Continue reading →

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“Soria”

Posted on September 10, 2018 by JMN

“Soria” by Antonio Machado, Spanish poet, 1875-1939 From “Campos de Castilla,” Antonio Machado, Biblioteca Anaya, Edición de José Luis Cano, 1964. (English translation by James Mansfield Nichols) The shield of Soria has the following heraldic description: [3] In a field … Continue reading →

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“A Prayer for My Daughter” (10 — final stanza)

Posted on September 7, 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 (10 — final stanza) And may her bridegroom bring her to a house Where all’s accustomed, ceremonious; For arrogance and … Continue reading →

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Under the Language Microscope

Posted on September 7, 2018 by JMN

No irregularity, no solecism is too picayune to escape the insolent linguist’s busy beavering, which leads to officious palaver such as this about matters too minute to merit attention from the practical person. Even in the days before I could … Continue reading →

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The Power of Writing

Posted on September 7, 2018 by JMN

It’s so much easier to teach public policy to people who already know how to write than teach writing to public policy experts. (Barry Lynn, quoted by David Streitfeld, “Amazon’s Antitrust Antagonist Has a Breakthrough Idea,” NYTimes, 9-7-18) [Copyright (c) … Continue reading →

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“A Prayer for My Daughter” (9)

Posted on September 5, 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 (9) Considering that, all hatred driven hence, The soul recovers radical innocence And learns at last that it is … Continue reading →

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“A Prayer for My Daughter” (8)

Posted on September 3, 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 (8) An intellectual hatred is the worst, So let her think opinions are accursed. Have I not seen the loveliest … Continue reading →

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