Tag Archives: W.H. Auden

“Hamlet is a tragedy where there is a part left open”

Posted on October 11, 2009 by sheila

Excerpt from W.H. Auden’s lecture on Hamlet, February 12, 1947, at the New School for Social Research in NYC: If a work is quite perfect, it arouses less controversy and there is less to say about it. Curiously, everyone tries … Continue reading →

Posted in Theatre | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Today In History: September 1, 1939

Posted on September 1, 2009 by sheila

Germany invaded Poland, 70 years ago today. From Newsweek: Scenes from the invasion of Poland From MSN: Friends, foes, mark WWII’s start in Poland Hitler’s speech on Sept. 1, 1939, from Berlin: To the defense forces: The Polish nation refused … Continue reading →

Posted in On This Day | Tagged , , , , , | 16 Comments

Life raft.

Posted on June 17, 2009 by sheila

THE MORE LOVING ONE by W.H. Auden Looking up at the stars, I know quite well That, for all they care, I can go to hell, But on earth indifference is the least We have to dread from man or … Continue reading →

Posted in Personal | Tagged | 4 Comments

If equal affection cannot be, yadda yadda

Posted on April 1, 2009 by sheila

April is National Poetry Month. In years past I would post a poem a day with involved thoughts about each poet. I must have been cracked. I can’t even think about poetry right now, it’s too much of a potential … Continue reading →

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The Books: “W.H. Auden: Selected Poems” (W.H. Auden)

Posted on December 4, 2008 by sheila

Daily Book Excerpt: Poetry Selected Poems, by W.H. Auden Auden comes up for me all the time in my life. His words are in my brain. The only other poet I can think of who takes up that much brain-space, … Continue reading →

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John Milton Is Turning 400 Years Old

Posted on September 26, 2008 by sheila

Many venues in New York (and, I assume, elsewhere) are getting ready to celebrate and pay tribute. I will definitely need to check out the exhibit at the Morgan Library (opening in October) – and I just love this entire … Continue reading →

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Today in history: September 1, 1939

Posted on September 1, 2008 by sheila

Germany invaded Poland. Hitler’s speech on Sept. 1, 1939, from Berlin: To the defense forces: The Polish nation refused my efforts for a peaceful regulation of neighborly relations; instead it has appealed to weapons. Germans in Poland are persecuted with … Continue reading →

Posted in On This Day | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

National Poetry Month: W.H. Auden

Posted on April 1, 2008 by sheila

April is National Poetry Month. I’ll lead off here with my favorite poem, one I come back to again and again and again …At times, it’s been a life raft. I’m sad right now. I’m sad about so many things. … Continue reading →

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Dylan Thomas, Gilgamesh, and Auden

Posted on December 1, 2007 by sheila

Mental Multivitamin muses on all three – one leads to the other leads to the other. I love her, don’t you? You are, indeed, a force with which to be reckoned.

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“he was also undoubtedly the stupidest”

Posted on May 30, 2007 by sheila

He had the finest ear, perhaps, of any English poet; he was also undoubtedly the stupidest; there was little about melancholia he didn’t know; there was little else that he did. — Auden on Tennyson

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