The most surprising thing I learned in 2020 — by far — has to do with art, and music in particular. Growing up I was mostly surrounded by white people, and I mostly listened to white music (U2, The Smiths, Echo and the Bunnymen, Psychedelic Furs, etc. Basically anything that shows up on Sirius XM’s […]
Category: Poetry
Vengeance, Vindictiveness, and Valar Morghulis
In George R. R. Martin’s epic series A Song of Ice and Fire (on which the Game of Thrones TV show is based) one character, Arya Stark, goes to sleep each night muttering the names of those on whom she vows to get revenge: Every night Arya would say their names. “Ser Gregor,” she’d whisper to her […]
The Artist as Foolhearted Masochist
I am reckless. I don’t mean to be — in fact, I often go out of my way to remind myself not to be. I tell myself to hide, to self-preserve, to keep the strap of the mask tight and the thoughts of my heart impregnable. I have spent the better part of my adult […]
Ode to Mammon
I thank Thee, Mammon. I thank Thee because Thou hast bequeathed upon me such fecundity and blessing, And all Thou hast asked in return Is my time, my freedom, and my soul. ~ I praise Thee, Mammon. I praise Thee because Thou makest possible The accumulation and consumption of innumerable shiny, new, and useless […]
Stuff I Like: Wordsmithery and Woe
Being a writer myself, I have a deep affinity for words and their smithing. I have long maintained that it’s one thing to tell a great story, but another to tell it well, and beautifully. I would consider popular tales like the Millennium Trilogy, the five volumes of A Song of Ice and Fire, and the Harry Potter series to be […]