I once overheard a respective member of my high school football team use the word philosopher. Secretly, I was ashamed I didn't know what he was talking about. It was then I realized the importance of having a better vocabulary. After high school, like so many in the south, and other places, I joined the military as it was a poor-man's-college. A place to learn a trade and have a respected position in society. The basic requirement that one had to take responsibility for his own actions was quickly, and unceremoniously, taught to those unfortunate enough not to already know. To 'pack your own mud', meant that it was your duty to be ready for what comes. Being a cop, basically, means the same if you're to occupy a respected position in the society. Life's boot-camp soon teaches, however, that you're not exempt from the law's of circumstance because of some title. And, though you would like to be 'all things to all people', you're soon awakened to the fact that only politicians can play at that game. One that has unfairly burdened police-work beyond sensible accountability-A real threat to all, in fact. As a cop, you have to settle for being 'just' a representative of the law; not the law itself. Your job is important enough as you stand in the 'rawest' of positions, literally, 'where the rubber meets the road'. That being, where the citizen gives over his freedoms to you by giving-into your demands/requests. Mistreat a good American too harshly, and he/she just may want to kill you, or wish someone else would. Certainly not in the best of circumstances; the worst being that one may be intent on killing you anyway just because you are a cop. Regrettably, the above lesson isn't well taught in the academy. You have to learn at your own peril also, not sufficiently taught, is there are no 'fun fights' with the cops. If someone will fight you, and should overcome you, he/she can then kill you with your own gun! What's to stop them? It is only the cops that are accused of using excessive force by too many political-minded folks! In short, there are too many boots parading around that didn't have to endure boot-camp; learning that rights/responsibilities are wedded by the law's of nature, not by the whims/fantasies of fools-on either side of the badge!

Here was Once the Sea features poetry, fiction, and nonfiction guest edited by Rina Garcia Chua, Esther Vincent Xueming, and Ann Ang. While many of these works are comprised mostly of anglophone texts, which reflects the aspirations of regional writers to speak across borders and to the globe at large, several native languages appear on these pages. Here, Southeast Asia refers to the constituent nations of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), namely, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam, as well as their associated diasporas. The writers and the peoples of the region live and remember more profoundly than we know. Their work explores the ecological across a multiscalar spectrum, featuring both geological landscapes and visceral botanical or animal entanglements, inheriting histories and spiritualities that defy and disrupt modern epistemologies. Together they represent a chorus of offerings, first and foremost to the land and the sea; and secondly to you, our readers, as an invitation to attend to the urgencies and travails of our homes. These are the stories we share and the stories we carry in our pasiking (basket) as we follow movements towards our destinies. These are the stories that sing of hope—for ourselves and for our world; ones that we whisper silently to ourselves as we touch our lips to the familiar earth and wait for the incoming monsoon rain to fall gently on our backs, our fields, our rivers.

A vital, engaging, and hugely enjoyable guide to poetry, from ancient times to the present, by one of our greatest champions of literature The Times and Sunday Times, Best Books of 2020 “[A] fizzing, exhilarating book.”—Sebastian Faulks, Sunday Times What is poetry? If music is sound organized in a particular way, poetry is a way of organizing language. It is language made special so that it will be remembered and valued. It does not always work—over the centuries countless thousands of poems have been forgotten. But this Little History is about some that have not. John Carey tells the stories behind the world’s greatest poems, from the oldest surviving one written nearly four thousand years ago to those being written today. Carey looks at poets whose works shape our views of the world, such as Dante, Chaucer, Shakespeare, Whitman, and Yeats. He also looks at more recent poets, like Derek Walcott, Marianne Moore, and Maya Angelou, who have started to question what makes a poem “great” in the first place. For readers both young and old, this little history shines a light for readers on the richness of the world’s poems—and the elusive quality that makes them all the more enticing.

The 'French Classics - Boxed Set: 100+ Novels, Short Stories, Poems, Plays & Philosophical Books' offers an unparalleled journey through the richness of French literary tradition, sweeping across genres from the vivid realism of Émile Zola to the romantic adventures of Alexandre Dumas, and the profound philosophical discussions of Jean-Jacques Rousseau. This anthology encapsulates the evolution of French literature, showcasing its ability to reflect and shape societal changes and individual experiences. It invites readers to explore seminal works that have defined and transcended their times, including revolutionary plays, poignant poems, and transformative philosophical texts. The thematic diversity and stylistic innovations present in this collection serve as a testament to the enduring legacy and versatility of French literary crafts. The contributing authors and editors, pillars of French literature, bring to this collection a range of perspectives shaped by their distinct historical contexts, personal experiences, and cultural backgrounds. From the Enlightenment thoughts of Voltaire to the existential complexity of Marcel Proust's narrative, each contributor has played a pivotal role in literary movements that span from the Renaissance to modernism. Their collective works offer a dynamic exploration of human nature, societal norms, and the pursuit of truth, underscoring the anthology's relevance to both contemporary and historical social discourses. For scholars, students, and aficionados of literature, 'French Classics - Boxed Set' presents an invaluable opportunity to engage with the comprehensive scope of French literary genius. It not only enhances the readers appreciation for the depth and breadth of French literature but also encourages a nuanced understanding of the cultural, philosophical, and aesthetic dialogues that have enriched the global literary landscape. This collection is an essential addition to any library, promising countless hours of enjoyment and scholarly inquiry.

Provides translations of more than two hundred-fifty poems by over forty poets, from early anonymous poetry through the T'ang and Sung dynasties.

This book talks about Kenneth's twenty-seven essays written over a period of time of more than forty years. It remains the sanest guide to the cultural upheaval in American society since World War II.

A portrait equal parts hope and cruelty, this searing, compelling book is an enduring fan favorite by Philadelphia-based poet CAConrad.