Tag Archives: poetry

Notes on Poetry (Surprise)

Posted on May 29, 2023 by JMN

“I know this sounds strange, but I think the elephant was also surprised that there were people in the room.” (John Kenney) (“The Elephant in the Room: An Oral History,” newyorker.com, 5-24-23) (c) 2023 JMN — EthicalDative. All rights reserved

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Mona Kareem’s ‘Nights’: Stanza 2

Posted on May 27, 2023 by JMN

This post is continued from here. Poetry, May 2023 publishes the Arabic text of Mona Kareem’s poem Lailayāt (“Nights”) along with a translation into English by Sara Elkamel. 2A cloud comes into view.God smiles, it’s my belief, for the hapless … Continue reading →

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Notes on Poetry (‘Expressing the Unsaid’)

Posted on May 26, 2023 by JMN

He was so handsome, so fine and flinty and long-boned, that he was a shock to be around — he made people stupid, or teary, or angry or skin-starved, sometimes all at once. (Dwight Garner) (Dwight Garner, “Sam Shepard and … Continue reading →

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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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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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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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Lie, Lay, Etc.: Humdrum Conundrum

Posted on May 5, 2023 by JMN

I always lay my keys on the table when I get home. I laid them there an hour ago. They lay there undisturbed last night, and they’ll lie there tomorrow until I need the car. Using lie-lay-lain and lay-laid-laid according … Continue reading →

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The Poem of as-Samau’al (Mid-6th Century AD): Verses 12-16

Posted on May 3, 2023 by JMN

This post is continued from here. Several themes lace the segment. Equine imagery around insemination and baby-bearing evokes the “purity” of the tribal blood lines. The virtue of generosity is touched upon, along with an ability to exert dominance through … Continue reading →

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The Poem of as-Samau’al (Mid-6th Century AD): Verses 6-11

Posted on April 22, 2023 by JMN

This post is continued from here. The segment evokes the lofty mountain refuge available to the speaker’s confederates, then exalts his tribe’s martial disposition and willingness to die in battle and avenge the fallen. 6 We have a mountain where … Continue reading →

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The Poem of as-Samau’al (Mid-6th Century AD): Verses 1-5

Posted on April 20, 2023 by JMN

The poem starts by positing traits that support a claim to being honorable and to merit good praise. Those traits are upstanding conduct and a capacity for resisting (enduring?) personal injury. Then, responding to provocation voiced by a woman, the … Continue reading →

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