Category Archives: Lessons

Dirty Books

Posted on June 20, 2011 by sputterpub

     The first suggestive book I ever held was my father’s copy of Candide. I have the volume here, with its “Ex Libris” bookplate and its penciled $1.50 used-book price. It was published by Hartsdale House in New York, in … Continue reading →

Posted in Lessons | Leave a comment

Decompression

Posted on June 10, 2011 by sputterpub

   I did some desert camping in the 1990s, and I was surprised at how much I liked it. Always before I’d headed for the mountains or the seashore, but in my 40s I began to appreciate the silence, solitude, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Lessons, Poetry | Leave a comment

Opossum

Posted on June 7, 2011 by sputterpub

   We have lots of critters in Berkeley. I became acquainted with more than I wanted in the 17 years of creekside dwelling, but that was probably good, since they are plentiful around me now. I live in a backyard cottage, … Continue reading →

Posted in Critters, Lessons, Poetry | Leave a comment

Because

Posted on June 6, 2011 by sputterpub

     I don’t know what it is about people, but we sure like to find a cause for every effect. It starts when we’re very young – all kids love stories and it seems that what they love most is … Continue reading →

Posted in Lessons | Leave a comment

Sally’s Tell-Tale Heart

Posted on June 2, 2011 by sputterpub

  I’m trying to recall the specifics, and I think what I’m about to describe occurred during the winter of 1964-65. There was one stormy day in high school when we all stayed inside for P.E., and sat on the floor, … Continue reading →

Posted in Lessons, School | Leave a comment

egaugnal

Posted on May 31, 2011 by sputterpub

     I was hesitant to post poetry when I started this blog. That was partly because I was impelled to jot down lessons for my grandchildren to hear, but it was also because I didn’t know how good it would … Continue reading →

Posted in Lessons, Poetry | Leave a comment

Old Glory

Posted on May 27, 2011 by sputterpub

   I had occasion to contemplate our flag a few weeks ago. Conversations occurred about when to fly it and why, and those led to memories. I’m not much into flags (or symbols in general), but I respect the power … Continue reading →

Posted in Lessons, Poetry | Leave a comment

Telegrams

Posted on May 16, 2011 by sputterpub

     There was a time when the only way to send an instantaneous message across distance was the telegram. Morse code was used, and electrical wires, and the customer so respected the cost that brevity was more than wit: it … Continue reading →

Posted in Lessons | Leave a comment

Epithalamion

Posted on May 13, 2011 by sputterpub

Here is my favorite acrostic sonnet. I composed it the first week of 2000, and the occasion was my daughter’s marriage. The sonnet form is always a challenge. Trying to say it all in 14 lines, making every syllable count, … Continue reading →

Posted in Lessons, Poetry | Leave a comment

Bad Poetry

Posted on May 10, 2011 by sputterpub

     Be warned: what follows is a really bad poem. I am posting it partly as encouragement to any young poet: yes, your work will probably be as full of itself as this, at first. This is an example of … Continue reading →

Posted in Lessons, Poetry | Leave a comment