Poem: “Death of a Journalist”
By John Frederick Kaufman Sick of screens that blind with light, I’ll sing myself to sleep and let all facts arrive to you undeniably as night. I watch the snow … Continue Reading Poem: “Death of a Journalist”
The New Liberal Spirit of Poetry
By John Frederick Kaufman For most of the 20th Century, the biggest political battle in the world of poets and poetry revolved around questions of craft: modernism vs. formalism, free verse … Continue Reading The New Liberal Spirit of Poetry
The “Human Rights Poetry” of Yevgeny Yevtushenko Very Relevant Today
By John Frederick Kaufman Speaking of his poetry, here’s what Russian poet Yevgeny Yevtushenko, who died yesterday in Tulsa, Oklahoma at the age of 84, told the Associated Press in … Continue Reading The “Human Rights Poetry” of Yevgeny Yevtushenko Very Relevant Today
April: Poetry & Mud
A poet in a bad mood can ruin a reputation, as T.S. Eliot did for April when he called it “the cruellest month”, adding an extra letter l for emphasis. … Continue Reading April: Poetry & Mud
A Poem: “Fists and Flags”
By John Frederick Kaufman Fists and Flags “America first!” the president cried and raised his fist to punch the sky while someone punched a neo-Nazi in the head: the … Continue Reading A Poem: “Fists and Flags”
“Is public virtue dead?”: Shelley’s “Poetical Essay on the Existing State of Things”
By John Frederick Kaufman What better poem to turn to than one recently discovered in England, a poem written by Percy Bysshe Shelley in 1811 when he was just 18 and a student … Continue Reading “Is public virtue dead?”: Shelley’s “Poetical Essay on the Existing State of Things”
Poem for the International Day of Peace
“International Day of Peace (“Peace Day”) is observed around the world each year on 21 September. Established in 1981 by resolution 36/37, the United Nations General Assembly has declared this … Continue Reading Poem for the International Day of Peace
