Monthly Archives: June 2019

Beware the Dreams of Other Men – A Poem

Posted on June 26, 2019 by Joel D. Hirst

Beware the dreams of other men, the hopes of those not shared; Hark not to visions of one’s past ‘rise up from those who dared; Look only now within thyself, and not to search beyond; Seek out the truth that … Continue reading →

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A Tale of a Dying Utopia

Posted on June 24, 2019 by Joel D. Hirst

History moves about like waves great and small crashing upon shores near and far; ripples in oceans might lay low the foundations of an ancient edifice while a mighty tsunami in a small sea crashes harmlessly upon the walls of … Continue reading →

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To Talk of Many Things… (Vol. #4 – Utopia)

Posted on June 23, 2019 by Joel D. Hirst

“A loaf of bread,” the Walrus said, “Is what we chiefly need: Pepper and vinegar besides Are very good indeed…” Last night I read devotions with my little boy, as I do when I am home and not traveling the … Continue reading →

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The Event Horizon of Africa

Posted on June 22, 2019 by Joel D. Hirst

Last night I sat with friends in a run-down rooftop restaurant overlooking pockmarked streets and balding hills watching the sun set – again – over Africa. The smell of wood smoke lightly scented with beans wafted on high as we … Continue reading →

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To Talk of Many Things… (Vol. #3 – Dubai)

Posted on June 20, 2019 by Joel D. Hirst

“The Walrus and the Carpenter Were walking close at hand: They wept like anything to see Such quantities of sand:” “What was your favorite thing about vacation?” I asked my little boy, to his thoughtful answer “Green Planet…! I touched … Continue reading →

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The Hard Work of Understanding

Posted on June 19, 2019 by Joel D. Hirst

In this sordid age of journalistic wickedness when those of that treasured profession have decided against their ancient sacred trust of informing, of shining beautiful white light into the darkened corners of our tired world, sometimes nevertheless you come across … Continue reading →

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That Eternal Question

Posted on June 14, 2019 by Joel D. Hirst

Do you ever wonder about greatness? How about mediocrity? I have been considering these things lately – as I grow older and the future ceases to be laid out in a great plane of opportunity before me. As the path … Continue reading →

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Moby Dick

Posted on June 9, 2019 by Joel D. Hirst

This book was not easy to read. Melville is certainly erudite and has a prodigious command of the English language; but the prose is not beautiful, nor is the structure of the novel commanding. The word count on Moby Dick … Continue reading →

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Art Predicting Life in Venezuela – On Predictive Fiction

Posted on June 8, 2019 by Joel D. Hirst

“He withdrew from his satchel his old notebooks, writings that had begun in prison and extended through his wanderings across the country, from the deceased general’s lair of sumptuous violence, to the self-governed villages attempting to free themselves from the … Continue reading →

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Ancient Battles Underground – A Poem

Posted on June 7, 2019 by Joel D. Hirst

Ancient battles, under ground; The living they hear not a sound; Voices plead in soft despair; Telling those who come “beware!” “Here were fallen men of old;” The tortured tales to living told; “They fought for things that had no … Continue reading →

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