38 Words in Praise of Kurt Vonnegut on the Occasion of His Birthday

Happy Birthday, Kurt Vonnegut! You were, are, and always will be one of my very favourite writers and humans. Your time on planet Earth made the place better for all of us. You are missed, now and forever.

U.S. Army Portrait of  Kurt Vonnegut, 1940s

U.S. Army Portrait of Kurt Vonnegut, 1940s

A purpose of human life, no matter who is controlling it, is to love whoever is around to be loved.”-Kurt Vonnegut, The Sirens of Titan

The Dead Writers Round Up: 9th-10th November

  • Ivan Turgenev was born on 11/9/1818. “However much you knock at nature’s door, she will never answer you in comprehensible words.” [Fathers and Sons; Torrents of Spring; A Month in the Country]
  • Guillaume Apollinaire died on 11/9/1918. “Now and then it’s good to pause in our pursuit of happiness and just be happy.” [Alcools; Calligrammes; Soldes]
  • Anne Sexton was born on 11/9/1928. “As for me, I am a watercolor. I wash off.” [Live or Die; The Book of Folly] Continue reading

[Intermezzo] It is Finally Autumn. Ecstatic Autumn!

It is finally autumn. Ecstatic autumn! Leaves are swirling and twirling and leaping about with Bacchanalian satisfaction. They are throwing a street party to end all street parties. Death is near, but until then it is a wicked celebration 24/7. Their orange, gold, and dark red forms flee rakes and tumble out of bags. They fall from trees to dance in the gutters and under the bodies of dirty cars. Leaves, so joyous, loll about in moments of repose, only to be bruised and trampled under dogs’ feet or sat upon by careless children. Death is near, and they know it: until then, they will dance on the wind.

*

It is finally autumn. Ecstatic autumn! In the late afternoon I take my place: curtains open, cup of tea in hand, elbow on windowsill.The sun sets early, beyond the white and dove grey apartment house across the street. The sky is relentlessly pale, diluted even in twilight to a bleak rose or chalky orange: bold colours are too busy dressing the leaves to have anything to spare. It’s their yearly dying wish, one cannot blame them. We have four seasons, they have less. As the masses of crisp leaves move and heave they give off a sound like the cawing of crows. Duncan barks and noses the pane, desperate to be loosed with apocalyptic fervor on these unknown fiends. Death is near, and they know it: until then, they will dance on the wind. The sights and smells are fleeting, of this and every other season. Dogs dream of chasing leaves, but will settle for a bone. As for me, I will drink down my tea and write some elegiac words instead.

*

It is finally autumn. Ecstatic autumn! Leaves are swirling and twirling and leaping about with Bacchanalian satisfaction. They are throwing a street party to end all street parties. Death is near, but until then it is a wicked celebration 24/7. Their orange, gold, and dark red forms flee rakes and tumble out of bags. They fall from trees to dance in the gutters and under the bodies of dirty cars. Leaves, so joyous, loll about in moments of repose, only to be bruised and trampled under dogs’ feet or sat upon by careless children. Death is near, and they know it: until then, they will dance on the wind.

Daily Diversion #170: Afternoon Reading with Rolling Stone

Look what hit newsstands today…

Lou Reed/Rolling Stone

Lou Reed/Rolling Stone

I’m about to curl up on the couch with a cup of tea and dig in to the magazine. Laurie Anderson is going to break my heart.

Laurie Anderson/Rolling Stone

Laurie Anderson/Rolling Stone

“For 21 Years We Tangled Our Minds and Hearts Together” by Laurie Anderson. Sigh.