~ POETRY ALERT ~ POETRY ALERT ~ POETRY ALERT ~ POETRY ALERT ~
NEW POETRY ALERT ADDED ON JUNE 24, 2020
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June 24, 2020
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As the title of the podcast “The History of Literature” foretells, host Jacke Wilson “journeys through the history of literature, from ancient epics to contemporary classics” with each new installment.
Episode 1 (from October 2015) tackled the Epic of Gilgamesh, and recent episodes have focused on Henry David Thoreau (“On Civil Disobedience,” of course), works by Alice Munro, and William Faulkner’s short story “A Rose for Emily.” Sprinkled throughout the series are special episodes centering on topics such as “Great First Chapters,” “Great Literary Endings,” “The Top 10 Books You Don’t Need to Read,” and other fun looks at books such as “The Greatest Books with Numbers in the Title.” Poetry Alert: Episode 120 from November 2017 is entitled “The Astonishing Emily Dickinson," click HERE. |
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Many of the series’ special episodes also feature the president of the “Literature Supporters Club” whose online persona is known as “Mike Palindrome.” In the most recent offering, the episode released on Monday, June 22, President Palindrome joined host Jacke Wilson for the “Literary Battle Royal 2: The Cold War (US vs. USSR)” (and just FYI: their first “Literary Battle Royale,” from May 11, 2017, pitted England vs. France – and let’s just say that clash ended in a literal, er, literate blood bath).
In the Cold War edition of their “Battle Royale,” President Palindrome appointed literary “generals” for the USSR, and Wilson selected “generals” for the USA. The episode, HERE, begins with some general banter (pun intended?) and a few responses to listeners’ emails. The actual “battle” begins at 20:37 into the show, and General Emily Dickinson reports for duty shortly after 45:45. “Dickinson is a secret weapon," said Wilson. Wow -- just wait until he finds out about Emmett Lee Dickinson! |
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My Wars are laid away in Books –
I have one Battle more –
A Foe whom I have never seen
But oft has scanned me o'er –
~ General Emily Dickinson, US Army, 1st Infantry Division, "the Fighting Poets"
I have one Battle more –
A Foe whom I have never seen
But oft has scanned me o'er –
~ General Emily Dickinson, US Army, 1st Infantry Division, "the Fighting Poets"
May 12, 2020
POETRY ALERT: I was listening to Episode 3, "George's Gift," of the podcast "Root of Evil," the companion podcast to TNT's limited series "I Am the Night." The series was inspired by the true story of the Hodel family, and the possible involvement of Dr. George Hodel in the brutal murder of Elizabeth Short, also known as the Black Dahlia, More than 70 years later, the Black Dahlia case remains America’s most infamous unsolved murder.
At the end of the third installment of the podcast, sisters Rasha Pecoraro and Yvette Gentile, the great grand daughters of George Hodel, talk about poet Robinson Jeffers and some of his works that have an interesting connection to the story. To avoid any spoilers, I will not mention the names of Jeffers' poems discussed or even link to them. If you listen to the podcast, you'll understand why. ; )
Below far left: Poet Robinson Jeffers. Below left: The "Root of Evil" podcast logo. Below right: Elizabeth Short, known as the Black Dahlia. Below far right: A promotional poster for TNT's limited series "I Am the Night."
At the end of the third installment of the podcast, sisters Rasha Pecoraro and Yvette Gentile, the great grand daughters of George Hodel, talk about poet Robinson Jeffers and some of his works that have an interesting connection to the story. To avoid any spoilers, I will not mention the names of Jeffers' poems discussed or even link to them. If you listen to the podcast, you'll understand why. ; )
Below far left: Poet Robinson Jeffers. Below left: The "Root of Evil" podcast logo. Below right: Elizabeth Short, known as the Black Dahlia. Below far right: A promotional poster for TNT's limited series "I Am the Night."
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May 8, 2020
The origins of our alerts, and our first "Poetry Alert."
From Angstrom Dickinson: I couldn't sleep last night. Rather than toss and turn, I got up, ate a bowl of granola, and tweeted, "Does granola help cure insomnia? I'll let you know in the morning."
Well, I can now answer that question.
No. Granola does not help cure insomnia. So early into the morning I finished my bowl of granola and streamed an episode of "The Simpsons." When the show featured a poem by Robert Frost, I had a brainstorm: Why not add a page to our site to post "poetry alerts" when we come across TV shows or movies that feature a poem or information about a poet?
Well, I can now answer that question.
No. Granola does not help cure insomnia. So early into the morning I finished my bowl of granola and streamed an episode of "The Simpsons." When the show featured a poem by Robert Frost, I had a brainstorm: Why not add a page to our site to post "poetry alerts" when we come across TV shows or movies that feature a poem or information about a poet?
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Now I'm not talking about an alert for a movie or TV show with a primary focus on a poet and/or their poems -- like "A Quiet Passion" or "Wild Nights with Emily." Both of those movies are about Emily Dickinson, so -- obviously -- they are about the poet and her poetry. No alert is necessary.
But what about a movie like "In Her Shoes." Have you seen it? The movie is about the relationship between two sisters and their grandmother -- but it also features E. E. Cummings' "i carry your heart with me(i carry it in." Therefore, it would warrant a POETRY ALERT!
But what about a movie like "In Her Shoes." Have you seen it? The movie is about the relationship between two sisters and their grandmother -- but it also features E. E. Cummings' "i carry your heart with me(i carry it in." Therefore, it would warrant a POETRY ALERT!
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POETRY ALERT: (Continued from the very top of the page) So back to last night -- in the middle of night.
As I chowed down my granola (with hopes that it would, indeed, cure my insomnia), I streamed Episode 13 of Season 4 of "The Simpsons." The episode, "Selma's Choice," focuses on Marge Simpson's sister Selma who decides she wants to have a baby to fulfill her late aunt's wish that she not spend her life alone. The reading of the will after Aunt Gladys' funeral features Robert Frost's "The Road Not Taken" ("Two roads diverged in a yellow wood"). Well -- sort of. Frost's poem begins, and hilarity ensures. Pictured at the right: "The Simpsons" at Aunt Gladys' funeral. |
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IF & WHEN WE COME ACROSS POETRY FEATURED IN OTHER MOVIES OR TV SHOWS, WE'LL ISSUE A "POETRY ALERT."
STAY TUNED TO THIS PAGE!
STAY TUNED TO THIS PAGE!
