Cape Canaveral Poet Laureate

Jane Austen is well known for her six novels (and a few unfinished ones), but here is one of her poems. It is titled “When Stretch’d on One’s Bed” and really showcases her wit in such a concise set of words. https://youtu.be/2O8AOfvOs8k Here it is: When stretch'd on one's bed  With a fierce-throbbing head,  Which precludes alike thought or repose,  How little one cares  For the grandest affairs  That may busy the world as it goes! How little one feels  For the waltzes and reels  Of our Dance-loving friends at a Ball!  How slight one's concern  To conjecture or learn  What their flounces or hearts may befall. How little one minds  If a company dines  On the best that the Season affords!  How short is one's muse  O'er the Sauces and Stews,  Or the Guests, be they Beggars or Lords. How little the Bells,  Ring they Peels, toll they Knells,  Can attract our attention or Ears!  The Bride may be ma...

Language provides a mechanism to better deal with the world around us. Some have a grasp for language that pulls on our heart string or make us laugh.  The Middle Ages and the Renaissance provided what we now call “pestilential music”. Here are some examples of songs inspired by the Spanish Flu pandemic in the early 1900’s: Flying Fish Sailors - Flupandemic https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=9T41ASGEQZA An instrumental song titled “The Microbe” by Webb Long https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=DOKEsq8qXps Essie Jenkins cover of 1919 Influenza Blues: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=L-QzjvjqMNA And the song “Influenza Blues” from a musical called “A Lonely Romeo”: https://repository.asu.edu/attachments/206913/content/SM4268_InfluenzaBlues_1919_Score.pdf I hope everyone is healthy and staying safe. Thanks lease remember to support local and independent artists and local shops (to the extent you can do so safely). Be well and let’s make the most out of this quarantine :)

Apropos of pandemics, today a post is about a Viennese song that has quite the history to it. It was written by Marx Augustin  in 1679. He was a popular singer, bagpiper, humorist, and all around entertainer during the time of the plague.  The legend states that he enjoyed his drinking. He blacked out in the street and was found by a body collector and mistaken for dead. He, along with his bagpipes, were tossed in a mass plague grave. Upon waking up, he had some trouble getting out and decided to play some tunes, because that brought him joy. He came up with this tune. The townspeople heard him and helped him escape. Ultimately, despite being amongst the plague-ridden corpses, he remained healthy. He remains a symbol of hope to the Viennese to this day. Other songs that you have likely encountered are derived from this song, such as “Did You Ever See a Lassie” and “Hail to the Bus Driver”.  Here is a traditional version of the song: Also, during this COVID-19 ...

Trying to provide you some content during the quarantine. These are two examples of Italian poetry, a modern and a classic. Hope you enjoy. The authors and titles are at the YouTube link. https://youtu.be/zo6LaXJGNoQ Remember to stay safe, be well, and support local business during these times.

Hello, everyone! During this challenging time, I am trying to bring you more content for your enjoyment.  This is a poem (a song) about making the most of the current situation.  While we are all social distancing and semi-quarantining, it gives us time to reflect on pleasant memories, those we care about, and even just enjoy looking around us in a somewhat slower time. And remember, do what you safely can to support our local businesses and artists throughout all of this. Thank you and be well! Social Distancing  I swung by the store hoping you might be there Thinking I had some time maybe we could share While the hygiene and quarantine puts us in a bind I know I'm not the only one to try to get you off his mind And it's been a while, but when we're together it sure feels nice If I could send a little joy your way, I'd send it same day To your carved out paradise We looked out the twenty-second floor window Searching for ice cream lost somewhere down ...

Good afternoon, everyone!  I hope everyone is staying healthy, safe, and sane.  Today is World Poetry Day and I figured I would share some Chinese Poetry with you.  These are pretty trying times for people all over the world, so we should band together as the human family and appreciate all the art the world has to offer.  Hope you enjoy! And remember our small businesses as well during these times and support them to the extent you can while self-quarantining or social distancing. Be well!!! Wolrd Poetry Day 2020

St Patrick's Day offers a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the many contributions of the Irish people to our country and community.  William Butler Yeats, Katherine Tynan, Colette Bryce, Oscar Wilde, Eiléan Ní Chuilleanáin, Dolores O'Riordan, are just a few of the wordsmiths hailing from Ireland.  In America, we have colloquialisms that arise from Irish impact on our culture.  In this poem, I attempt to utilize some of them to reflect the positive impact on the Irish on the American language, as well as use some Irish folklore references to shine a most positive light on the Irish. Since this was inspired by St. Patrick's day, the first lines reflect the story of St. Patrick driving the snakes out of Ireland into the sea. The phrase "Irish goodbye" means to leave a gathering without any fanfare, just show up, have a good time with your friends, and leave without making a big deal.  Not a rude walk out, just leaving without any long, drawn out farewell. ...