This continues the series of columns that highlights a much-loved poem and presents other poems that speak to, or resonate with, that poem. This week features “Ode to a Nightingale” by John Keats, written in 1819, almost two hundred years ago. The two related poems are both by F. Scott Fitzgerald: “Thousand and First Ship,” and […]
Man Martin’s third novel will appear in May, 2017 from Unbridled Books. The book suggests a corollary to James A. Michener’s quote, “If your book doesn’t keep you up nights when you are writing it, it won’t keep anyone up nights reading it.” The corollary is that if your book doesn’t keep you chuckling writing it, don’t
The Shandean Spirit Lives on—Man Martin’s The Lemon Jell-o Syndrome Read More »
Gerry’s holy-roller father, a retired Navy Commander, demanded restraint, not his son’s talent and candor. But his son’s creative energy was impossible to suppress— He bounded from Yale to Hollywood, an overnight success. Assistant to the head of Columbia Studios at twenty-eight, Married to warm Annie. Father of two. Assumably straight. Much younger, I had
The Man Who Loved to Call Me Cuz Read More »
This continues the series of columns that highlights a much-loved poem and presents other poems that speak to, or resonate with, that poem. This week features “The Weary Blues,” crafted by Langston Hughes. The two related poems are “The Blues Don’t Change,” by Al Young and “Slow Drag Blues” by Kevin Young. (While they share the
Kevin’s Much-Loved Poems: “The Weary Blues” by Langston Hughes Read More »
This is the second in a series of columns that feature a much-loved poem, and a poem that speaks to, or resonates with, that poem. This week’s poem is “The Love of Aged Horses” by Jane Hirshfield, first published in The Atlantic in 1994. Jane Hirshfield’s poetry speaks to the central issues of human existence—desire
Kevin’s Much-Loved Poems–“The Love of Aged Horses” Read More »
This is one of a series of columns that feature a most-loved poem. Each of these poems is coupled with and a poem or two that speak to, or resonate with, the first poem. This week’s poem is “Nostalgia” by Billy Collins, written in 1991. The two other poems are “To His Coy Mistress” by Andrew Marvell and
Kevin’s Much-Loved Poems–“Nostalgia” by Billy Collins Read More »