Nouvel an

I wish everybody who teaches a very productive, enjoyable, and intellectually enriching semester. Remember, we went into this career to read books, generate ideas, and share knowledge. Everything else is just noise. …or, as my old colleague said, we got into this to have fun, and we must remember this and act in that sense. … More Nouvel an

On Bohemians

W. H. Auden makes the case for art and against social science, sport, and hygiene I was raised with. I must actually study Thomas’ post, which I have not yet done and which is another matter. I am not a Bohemian but a great bourgeoise. To be a Bohemian like César Vallejo, for instance, you … More On Bohemians

W. H. Auden

Read all about it. Read more from Copenhagen, remembering of course that Denmark is our theme this Christmas (which is not over yet, we are on the tenth day)! Under Which Lyre A REACTIONARY TRACT FOR THE TIMES (Phi Beta Kappa Poem, Harvard, 1946) Ares at last has quit the field, The bloodstains on the … More W. H. Auden

Ricardo González Vigil, and others, on Vallejo … and Arguedas, singing!

Here, at last, some responsibly made material for a general audience. I do not think there is new information here, but it is a decent discussion. At the end of block 5 there is a photograph I had never seen, taken right before his death. He is incredibly skinny that day. Earlier, there is another … More Ricardo González Vigil, and others, on Vallejo … and Arguedas, singing!

César Vallejo

I have not read the latest quasi-biography of Vallejo (that I know of offhand) and I should. It is short and by Silva-Santisteban, and it is from 2010, and it accompanied an exposition. I have said this before but someone should write a serious biography of this poet, because things just do not add up … More César Vallejo

Winter

It is now winter, that beautiful season of cold and growing light. The Sun has moved into Capricorn, the best sign. To celebrate winter we will look at the fountain of Cibeles in Madrid, with snow, and the stela of 18 Rabbit, our ruler at Copán. Sur le Noël, morte saison Lorsque les loups vivent … More Winter