Category Archives: Writing

History Repeats Itself

Posted on November 7, 2022 by Brian D. Butler

h/t Tom Gauld

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when the light finally came

Posted on November 6, 2022 by Brian D. Butler

Ada Limón’s poem “We Are Surprised”— Now, we take the moon into the middle of our brains so we look like roadside stray cats with bright flashlight-white eyes in our faces, but no real ideas of when or where to … Continue reading →

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For the sake of a single poem, you must see many cities

Posted on November 2, 2022 by Brian D. Butler

Rainer Maria Rilke // “Ah, poems amount to so little when you write them too early in your life. You ought to wait and gather sense and sweetness for a whole lifetime, and a long one if possible, and then, … Continue reading →

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Sandwich of Horror

Posted on October 31, 2022 by Brian D. Butler

NB: If the H.P. Lovecraft video fails to launch please click here .  

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It’s Edgar Allan Poe Season

Posted on October 28, 2022 by Brian D. Butler

There are many excellent illustrated volumes of Edgar Allan Poe stories, but this  1944 edition with illustrations by German-American artist Fritz Eichenberg is special. Eichenberg was a German artist who emigrated to America in the 1930s; his speciality was wood … Continue reading →

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nostalgie de la bibliothèque

Posted on October 26, 2022 by Brian D. Butler

While checking out book blogs I stumbled on a reference to “Spooks and Spirits and Shadowy Shapes” , featuring wonderfully atmospheric, period illustrations by Robert L. Doremus. Certainly not the most interesting Halloween reading, but personally significant as I remember … Continue reading →

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to keep my own heart free of hatred and despair

Posted on October 25, 2022 by Brian D. Butler

It began to seem that one would have to hold in the mind forever two ideas which seemed to be in opposition. The first idea was acceptance, the acceptance, totally without rancor, of life as it is, and men as … Continue reading →

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Down and Out in Paris and London

Posted on October 24, 2022 by Brian D. Butler

Regular visitors to this humble blog are aware of my deep appreciation for George Orwell’s writing. I was chuffed to discover a new Orwell project set to launch this week. The Orwell Daily is a newletter which will offer tranches … Continue reading →

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Ghost Stories of an Antiquary

Posted on October 22, 2022 by Brian D. Butler

Each year the Halloween season seems to engender new found interest in both popular and lesser known spooky stories. Those of us raised on classic ghost tales likely are familiar with the work of M.R. James, but younger generations may … Continue reading →

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A story is a form of telepathy

Posted on October 19, 2022 by Brian D. Butler

 

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