Category Archives: Anthology

My collected writings and those of family members.

Didactic Doggerel

Posted on May 1, 2018 by JMN

This Makes No Frankin Sense The boswellia papyrifera, A tree that grows in Ethiopia, Produces frankincense, a curious resin That has a bitter smell but isn’t poison. In Africa and in the Middle East It has embellished many a fine … Continue reading →

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Written in the 70s — On the Song

Posted on May 1, 2018 by JMN

*On the Song of Songs* Bernard of Clairvaux B You are my subject, scraped from the womb. Will we cross in Limbo, sad progenitor and aspiring heir? Who will survive? I have been scoured from your mother’s eyes as resolutely … Continue reading →

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Written in the 70s — Can peace

Posted on May 1, 2018 by JMN

Can peace and beauty (opulent) be immoral? Grosse Pointe Shores. Lake Ste. Claire. (Copyright 2018 James Mansfield Nichols. All rights reserved.) Written in the 70s, 70s-11a. (Copyright 2018 James Mansfield Nichols. All rights reserved.)

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Written in the 70s — I admit

Posted on May 1, 2018 by JMN

I admit that’s bad, but not *that* bad. I may breach decorum occasionally (like now), but I try mightily not to breach good taste. I’m sure you can handle the above; being a diffident sort, I wasn’t sure *I* could … Continue reading →

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From Memory

Posted on May 1, 2018 by JMN

“A Refusal to Mourn the Death by Fire of a Child in London,” poem by Dylan Thomas poetryfoundation.org This poem is an antidote to the “thoughts and prayers” mantra. It reminds me of Millay’s “Dirge Without Music” in that it … Continue reading →

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Social Math — UK

Posted on April 29, 2018 by JMN

Gerry Rattigan is the publican who operates the Thane of Thoth, the watering hole popular among the better sort of denizens of Chichesterton-Upon-Hogg — though, to be sure, it’s also the only such establishment in the village. Gerry customarily nicks … Continue reading →

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Didactic Doggerel

Posted on April 29, 2018 by JMN

The Smallest Black Hole You wonder what you’d find in a black hole? Your other sock? A dime? A baby mole? I’ll tell you where you will find none of those: In Cygnus X-1 only darkness shows. A star one … Continue reading →

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Idle Doggerel

Posted on April 29, 2018 by JMN

Drawn and Quartered “Everything was everywhere.” (Joplin, MO tornado survivor) It was as if Mother Nature Had thrown the town under a train. It skidded hard for good measure, Smearing acreage with guts and brain. Uncle Alvin would do a … Continue reading →

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Written in the 70s — He worked

Posted on April 28, 2018 by JMN

He worked on her [***], balled into a striving that sweated their two bodies [***], past caring where she was, if she had [***] [***]. She was beginning to signal [***] in her eyes, her [***] was tensing. But all … Continue reading →

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From Memory

Posted on April 28, 2018 by JMN

“Ozymandias,” poem by Percy Bysshe Shelley, http://www.poetryfoundation.org This sonnet triggers a puff of schadenfreude. It’s fun to imagine that, given time, the desert swallows braggarts. (Copyright 2018 James Mansfield Nichols. All rights reserved.)

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