The Way It Looked in 1963
Our fatherland is temporarily divided in two. The US imperialists are intensifying their aggressive war in South Viet Nam. Our southern compatriots are being trampled upon by the brutal US-Diem regime. Not a day passes…
On the Phone with Hedy
Even her detractors might agree: Two of Hedy Epstein’s characteristics— Pertinacity and indomitability I’ll add a third and fourth Tenderness and compassion As when I called her from Ramallah To explain why I was unable…
A Little Pushkin Can Go a Long Way
My friend is assiduous in learning Russian Her son and daughter-in-law reside in Saint Petersburg She’s headed there in May She tells me she needs to get a book of Pushkin Memorize some of his…
Seeds
In my book on Elie Wiesel There is reference to Mev That was a seed for my next book In The Book of Mev There is reference to going to Palestine That was a seed…
Share the Wealth with Claire Peterson: Dancing Joy in the Eternal Ephemeral (Or—Why Everybody and Their Mother Should Take a Dance Class)
“Every faculty, every nerve is bent on communicating a definite idea. Not one iota of energy is wasted in fear.” -Agnes de Mille This Sunday, I will share what I have learned on my journey…
Walt Whitman and Dear Layla
Dear Rebecca, Sarah, Matthew and Patrick, Joanie French and I took the Amtrak train to Texas in the summer of 2005 for a family wedding. Along the way and back, I read the Library of…
Safety First
Royesha told me Since her brother’s come back from Iraq He’s been having nightmares At family gatherings, parties He always positions himself in the far corner in the biggest room To be able to see…
The Lesson of a Tree by Walt Whitman
for Ale Vazquez Sept. 1.—I should not take either the biggest or the most picturesque tree to illustrate it. Here is one of my favorites now before me, a fine yellow poplar, quite straight, perhaps…
Aspiration
20 years old She was in the Adult Learning Academy To brush up on reading, writing, and math skills I offered feedback and encouragement on her writing After graduating from the ALA She wanted to…
For K. L.
After his own New York show in 1988, his work dried up. He moved many times and every time he moved he dumped what little work he had produced. But he didn’t stop thinking of…