Monthly Archives: February 2020

Stepping Stones in Time

Posted on February 29, 2020 by Joel D. Hirst

Time marches on, leaving stepping stones to remind us of where we have been, show us where we might be going and reflect upon whether or not things turn out as we expected. This is the job of writers. Some … Continue reading →

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Less Calvino More Camus

Posted on February 24, 2020 by Joel D. Hirst

Kiran Bhat reached out to me over email to review his new novel “We Of The Forsaken World” after reading my review of “Invisible Cities” by Italo Calvino. “But things are not lasting, not eternal nor stable. They rise and … Continue reading →

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I Am Not Raising A “Greta”

Posted on February 24, 2020 by Joel D. Hirst

Originally posted on Joel D. Hirst's Blog:
I am not raising a Greta. It’s not really right; in fact the tragedy of that train-wreck sometimes takes my breath away. Life is sad enough, hard enough, and with more bitterness…

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Latter Plates of Novel Men – A Poem

Posted on February 24, 2020 by Joel D. Hirst

In words that paint, I hide away; Hoping armistice to stay; Immortal craft ‘gainst tempest brewing; Ever madness quill eschewing. We write of beauty ‘fore the storm; Our words they dye the summers warm; The flowered glade, the meadow golden; … Continue reading →

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“Seven Songs” is a Symphony

Posted on February 23, 2020 by Joel D. Hirst

“To know wisdom and gain instruction; to discern the words of understanding.” It is said that these were the first words written by Mesrop Mashtots after inventing the thirty-six character Armenian alphabet. Though written 1600 years ago, Mashtots might very … Continue reading →

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Ordeal

Posted on February 23, 2020 by Joel D. Hirst

Revolutions don’t just happen. They are in fact product of profound societal stress; the status quo is too much of a powerful force even in the most unjust of countries to be eschewed lightly in favor of a great leap … Continue reading →

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Environmentalism is for the wealthy…

Posted on February 22, 2020 by Joel D. Hirst

The morning after the Friday terrorist attacks in Bamako, Mali I took my son to the little zoo for the last time. It was not bittersweet, only bitter; I knew everything was about to change – for myself and my … Continue reading →

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“What is Covetousness?” asked my little boy

Posted on February 21, 2020 by Joel D. Hirst

Dinner, a bath, brush teeth, and into bed for a story. Children need structure, they need their rituals – they need to know what comes next; it gives them security. And the bedtime rituals are as old as childhood itself. … Continue reading →

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Book Review: I, Charles, From The Camps by Joel D. Hirst

Posted on February 20, 2020 by Joel D. Hirst

Originally posted on graphicgrub:
Uganda has beauty. The wonders of nature are there for all to see. Enjoying a sunset is probably not the first thing one associated with camps for internally displaced people. It is not the first thing…

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To Talk of Many Things… (Vol. #8 – The Death of Gramsci)

Posted on February 20, 2020 by Joel D. Hirst

It is a singular sadness for a writer to accept that often-times he writes only for himself. To posterity perhaps, to hone his craft and sharpen his thoughts in expectation of the day when truth again matters. Sometimes I channel … Continue reading →

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