Whitman was socially-engaged and artistic

     In my most advanced-level German class today we learned about the Dinggedicht (thing-poem). We spoke about how poetry previously (and since of course) was written about other topics. I mentioned Whitman's poems about the death of Abraham Lincoln, born on 12 February 1809.

For that reason, I post a link to Whitman's poem about lilacs and so much more:

 http://www.poetryfoundation.org/poem/174748

If only Lincoln had been allowed to finish his second term in office! This nation would have been spared so much!

Two years ago I became president.....

......of the South Carolina Foreign Language Teachers' Association. Most of you probably thought I was hallucinating. If I ran for President of the USA, my family promised to campaign against me.  Perhaps I could persuade a few cousins to support me, thought.

     Three years ago (when this picture was taken), I became President-Elect about two minutes after being nominated from the floor. There were no other candidates; in retrospect, maybe someone is out there wondering if he or she should have run also. About an hour later, two Mandarin teachers who were in the States for a short period, and whose names I sadly forget, asked to pose with me. I thought this might lead to a trip to China to share my knowledge of pedagogy with them and to learn from them.  That did not happen.

    Over these past three years I made many new friends and helped the organization. During this time Places and Times was published, which proves that things happen simultaneously, not necessarily in succession.

   

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10203108156806430&set=a.3964603195127.171614.1281784341&type=3&theater&notif_t=like

I ordered "Six Rivers" by Jenna Le

     Actually, I was leaning this way, but Amy King's comment on Goodreads Poetry Group clinched it for me. Having spent a lot of time at Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh, I figured this would be twice as good! LOL. Seriously, since the concept of place plays a major role in my own poetry, "six Rivers" seems like a logical choice.

    After it comes and I get to reading it, I will let you know about it!

Maybe I will make my decision this weekend.....

     Forgive the hype, but it is Super Bowl L weekend, after all. Since my beloved Steelers are not playing, I have some time on my hands. This will be the weekend for me to decide which of Jenna Le's poetry books to read. 

     Connecting with  and learning about fellow writers all over the globe is simply fantastic and energizing. Sometimes it is a place we share, a common background, are influenced by the same things, or have a similar style. Goodreads is a fantastic place for such interactions

, but of course there are others as well. 

    http://www.mezzocammin.com/iambic.php?vol=2015&iss=2&cat=featured_poet&page=featured_poet

   You can read about Jenna here in Mezzo Camin as well as enjoy a few poems. She is their featured poet. I do not know whether or not to order her forthcoming book A History of the Cetacean American Diaspora (forthcoming from Anchor and Plume Press, 2016)   or her previous Six Rivers(NYQ Books, 2011),  The latter appeals to me given my interest in place s a poetic feature, but she suggested I start with the newer book. 

    Anyway, I will decide and will be pleased no matter what I pick. 

The Four Chaplains

     In today's world there is so much division and rancor, it is hard to imagine that there was ever a time when these did not exist. However, when fighting against Fascism, nations and individuals came together, at least for a time. I first learned of this piece of histroy while cisiting a museum in Washington D.C. as a young boy and seeing a wax reproduction of the scene.

     On the night of 3 February 1943, the USAT Dorchester carried nearly 1,000 soldiers to Britain. A German U-Boat fired and hit the ship. As the Dorchester sank, four Army Chaplains: two Protestants, a Roman Catholic, and a rabbi, selflessly have up their life jackets and went to their deaths praying in their own manner with linked arms. Those who survived the sinking never forgot the sight.

     When I was in Philadelphia, I asked invited to join the Four Chaplains Memorial Association, then located on the campus of Temple University. At the time I was in my first of two stints as a Pennsylvania Army National Guard Chaplain. While my membership was

not of long duration, the story is inspiring. I post a link:

http://www.fourchaplains.org/the-saga-of-the-four-chaplains/

     Chaplains Fox, Goode, Poling, and Washington still have a lot to teach u about dedication, service to others, and overcoming barriers. I hope we all learn from them, 73 years after their deaths.

On to Canterbury

   Interestingly enough, this has proved to be a popular Soundcloud recording. Some time ago there was a challenge to do this. I honestly forget from whom, and where on the Internet it was. Being bi-lingual with German, Middle English is not hard.

   What do you think? Feel free to go through the rest of my play list!

https://soundcloud.com/arthur-turfa-1/prologue-canterbury-tales-in

Picture from the Coogler Festival

     Thanks to Buddy Price for the picture from last month's J.G. Coogler Poetry Festival and to the Country Chronicle of Blythewood, SC, for mentioning "local poet Art Turfa" along with the students, who were the real stars of the evening. The event was well-attended, and is the third annual in a series that will go on for a long time.

      Two of my students were ill, and could not read original poetry. Another read a poem by Coogler. I read one from ym book, but chekc out this link to see what the studnts wrote:http://bwoodpoetry.weebly.com/poem-of-the-week.html   Navigate back to see the entire site.

    A link to Coogler himself:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._Gordon_Coogler