Poetry appeals more directly to the whole person than prose does. It stimulates our imaginations, arouses our emotions, feeds our intellects and addresses our wills. Perhaps this is why poetry is the preferred mode of communication of the prophets, whose purpose depends on capturing the attention of the listeners and persuading them their message is urgent. —Tremper Longman III, quoted by Tom Grosh Is there anything better than a good mail day? In yesterday's mail, I received a new pair of glasses, a 2-pack of David … [Read more...] about Who are your favorite poets?
alan jacobs
Week in Review: Copying Lots of Books Edition
What are you reading, watching, thinking about this week? As usual, here's a few which have been on our mind. Let us know your thoughts on any/all of them. If you have items you'd like us to consider for the top five, add them in the comments or send them to Tom or Mike. 1. What's a book? How do you prefer to read? Verlyn Klinkenborg in Further Thoughts of a Novice E-Reader (NY Times Editorial, 5/28/2010) weighs in with some negative thoughts on digital reading, even with the I-Pad! Is this generational or do we … [Read more...] about Week in Review: Copying Lots of Books Edition
Week in Review: Anxiety Edition
What are you reading, watching, thinking about this week? As usual, here's a few which have been on our mind. Let us know your thoughts on any/all of them. If you have items you'd like us to consider for the top five, add them in the comments or send them to Tom or Mike. 1. Peace is Patriotic: Anabaptists and the National Anthem (By Duane Shank, Sojourners, 3/3/2010): Did you attend a college sporting event where the national anthem of the host country was not played? Goshen College, a residential Christian … [Read more...] about Week in Review: Anxiety Edition
Body and Spirit
W.H. Auden has long been one of my favorite poets, and, over at Books & Culture, Alan Jacobs has reviewed volume 3 of the complete prose of Auden, edited by Edward Mendelson. It's an excellent appreciation of Auden's view of the role of the poet in a community and the intellectual legwork that Auden put into understanding the role of a Christian poet after he returned to the church in 1940. … [Read more...] about Body and Spirit