Stephen McClurg's Blog, page 58
November 1, 2013
Tradition!
For several years I have celebrated Day of the Dead by writing “cavaleras literarias.” Some people write poems for loved ones, but another tradition is to write humorous “tombstones.” I write the latter–or try to. Hope you enjoy!
Here Lies McClurg (2013)
He grabbed a second warm cider–
An excuse to sit down beside her.
But he wanted to die
Hearing Miss Muffet reply
“I’d rather go sit by the spider.”
You can read the previous ones here.
September 29, 2013
June 10, 2013
Little Billboards
Reblogged from Eunoia Solstice:
One of the poems that opened me up to the possibilities of haiku in English was this piece by Gary Hotham:
Sunset dying
on the end of a rusty
beer can . . .
Hotham isn't pretending to live in the time of Basho or ascribing a purity to the environment that all too frequently isn't there. Any contemporary wanderer knows the delight and detritus one can find in contemporary America, and I believe Hotham captures all of that and the essence of great haiku in only thirteen syllables.
June 1, 2013
Coker’s Para-Philosophical Advice #1: Introduction
And the Doctor is in…Well, kind of….
Originally posted on Eunoia Solstice:
Eunoia Solstice is proud to offer a new column that gives you a chance to have your questions answered–or perhaps only thought about– by a practicing philosopher.
Send your questions to cokersadvice at gmail dot com.*
Coker's Para-Philosophical Advice #1: Introduction
Reblogged from Eunoia Solstice:
Eunoia Solstice is proud to offer a new column that gives you a chance to have your questions answered--or perhaps only thought about-- by a practicing philosopher.
Send your questions to cokersadvice at gmail dot com.*
1. How did you become interested in philosophy?
In undergraduate my original career plan was to become a Lutheran minister. I spent Freshman year (1974-1975) in an Honors Program at Valparaiso University in Valparaiso, Indiana, where I took an entire course on Aristotle.
And the Doctor is in...Well, kind of....
May 28, 2013
Interview: John King of The Drunken Odyssey
Reblogged from Eunoia Solstice:
The Drunken Odyssey came to me at the perfect time. I had just had a baby and had started to write again after realizing that my chances for Wordsworthian recollection in tranquility were slim to none. I wanted to talk about books and writing, particularly with other writers, but with teaching, taking care of a newborn, and lacking the web of support (or commiseration) of an MFA program, I was having a hard time finding a time, place, and even people for these discussions.
May 18, 2013
He was not of an age, but for that one time!
Reblogged from Eunoia Solstice:
I rarely get asked to write commemorative poems, but when I do I feel like I’m connecting to ancient traditions, to times when the bard’s song was a monument as important as any statuary. There’s also an interesting challenge in pleasing a specific audience rather than the imaginary, amorphous readers or listeners that I hope to please when composing in general.
May 15, 2013
The Goading: Breeders' Theatre
Reblogged from Eunoia Solstice:
I’ve always enjoyed creating prompts, but more often than not get stuck somewhere in the middle of the response. I feel like if I don’t find the piece in the first draft that I am left lost in the dig. “The Goading” is helping to shine a light on it.
I was listening to an episode of The Drunken Odyssey! this morning and one of the guest’s reasons for loving prompts is that they “kill the muse.” I’m not sure of the state of the muse on this one.
Poetry and Animal Husbandry
May 9, 2013
May 7, 2013
Ray Harryhausen (1920-2013)
Reblogged from Eunoia Solstice:
The earliest artist I remember thinking about as an artist was Jim Henson. It's secretly thrilling when my daughter shrieks with laughter watching new and classic Sesame Street. While I rarely react to celebrity deaths, I feel a pang of joy and loss when I hear Henson's voice on those classic episodes.
The second artist I remember being aware of is Ray Harryhausen.
