Zen

People were so stressed yesterday. My dentist was blocked into his house by a flood and did not meet his appointments. I conversed with one who is concerned he will not be allowed to teach his course with the same textbook a second time, one who does not realize she is going to pass her defense, … More Zen

A thesis on specificity and exceptionalism

Exceptionalism calls specific what is not. My utterly unpublishable example is Cadjin(e) exceptionalism. “We are the only ones ever shamed for speaking our language.” (Uninformed) “Our experience can only be understood from the inside.” (So it cannot be an object of study, only a subject of storytelling.) “This is a folkway only we have.” (Uninformed) … More A thesis on specificity and exceptionalism

Division Street

I was looking for an older, American poem about Division Street I read long ago and found this 2008 piece by Helen Mort. You brought me here to break it off one muggy Tuesday. A brewing storm, the pigeons sleek with rain. My black umbrella flexed its wings. Damp-skinned, I made for the crush of … More Division Street

Sweet Home Chicago

This month I have been in San Francisco and New Orleans. I am in Chicago now, confident, industrial and a really big city, and I will be in Houston next weekend. I am having a spectacular U.S. tour and I had not planned on this. Cincinnatti is next, but that is in June. When I … More Sweet Home Chicago

Dreamy City

Anytime I go anywhere, I fall in love and want to move there. Last weekend I was in western Marin County, in California. Now I am in New Orleans. You should look at some of these books. I will be in Chicago next, which I like as well — will I fall in love with … More Dreamy City