Category Archives: Lessons

The Hour Hand

Posted on December 16, 2022 by sputterpub

We know the clock face features moving hands,but we can’t watch the motion of the onefor hours. Everybody understandsit moves, yet eyes do not perceive its run.In growing up with analog, our frameof reference thus includes the metaphorthat shift occurs … Continue reading →

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Gulliver and the Antinatalists

Posted on April 20, 2022 by sputterpub

My bachelor’s thesis, 50 years ago,compared three misanthropes in English lit.I remet Fielding’s hermit, got to knowGreek Timon, and read Gulliver’s emit.The first and second came to hate their kindwhen fortune failed and former friends forsook,but Swift’s creation had his … Continue reading →

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The Bar Room Rule

Posted on January 23, 2022 by sputterpub

I drank too much when I was 28and circumstances moved me, after work,to meet a friend, to talk and celebrateor air complaints about my boss – a jerk –and other stressors bound to nag or irk.She taught me – “Be … Continue reading →

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Teaching Fail

Posted on December 14, 2021 by sputterpub

I don’t recall exact atrocities,but I remember hating English classmost years of secondary school. The keysto wit and eloquence were not dispensed.The teachers made us write down summariesand our reactions – called them book reports.Diverting me from plots and mysteriesto … Continue reading →

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No News

Posted on December 4, 2021 by sputterpub

As soon as we swore in the very worstof presidents, I started gulping news.I watched the talking heads and faces firstand soon expanded reading, seeking cluesand understanding. Knowing we’re self-curseddid little to assuage, and truth abusedcompounded tragedy. Of late I’ve … Continue reading →

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Romper Room

Posted on December 2, 2021 by sputterpub

I hated Romper Room when I was young.Miss Nancy was as corny as a nurse –so patronizing, with her baby tongue.And later, Dick & Jane were even worse.I saw through all the hand-on-kneecap bends.I never fell for ads on the … Continue reading →

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Logic Problem

Posted on November 9, 2021 by sputterpub

“They need to read more Plato,” someone said,but he’s a teacher bound to miss the mark,who thinks that only logic fills the head,and only reason penetrates the dark.I wish he were correct. I once agreed,but I cannot ignore experience.For while … Continue reading →

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Girlish

Posted on October 15, 2021 by sputterpub

Most people I’ve knownhave let life happen to themespecially girls.

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Filter Value

Posted on September 27, 2021 by sputterpub

I wavered at the academic gates –Should I attend the university?Or get to work at once, creatively?What benefit to further school awaits? My father had an answer good for me.He pointed to a million books, and saidif I encountered decent … Continue reading →

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Flailing Sestina

Posted on July 23, 2021 by sputterpub

I dabbled in Old Norse at 22,which meant I got Icelandic history.I learned that when a culture’s in demise,when petty kings are facing bitter change,they’re driven to record what’s ending then,with words and pictures or revolting ways. When England turned … Continue reading →

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