The Final Inspection

THE FINAL INSPECTION by Joshua Helterbran The Soldier stood and faced God, Which must always come to pass. He hoped his shoes were shining, Just as brightly as his brass. Step forward now, Soldier , How shall I deal with you? Have you always turned the other cheek? To My Church have you been true?’…

A Reflection on Recovery

Take a look at this fascinating piece on Tolkien and Tennyson, readers! Tolkien’s Recovery and Tennyson’s King Arthur In his lecture and essay “On Fairy-stories” Tolkien defines the fundamental function of Fairy-stories he names Recovery: “Recovery (which includes return and renewal of health) is a re-gaining – regaining of a clear view. I do not say…

Poetry in Worship

An important reflection, readers: Christianity and Poetry by Dana Gioia August 2022 When I became a man, I put away childish things. —St. Paul, 1 Corinthians 13 Most Christians misunderstand the relationship of poetry to their faith. They consider it an admirable but minor aspect of religious practice—elegant verbal decoration in honor of the divine.…

Historical and Research Favorites

Doggone it, Foxfier! Look what you made me do! The post on various books I have read sent me down the rabbit hole, giving me cause to remember some of my favorite history books, all of which could be very useful to those looking for research materials. The children’s encyclopedias tend to combine everything –…

Paul Revere’s Ride

Happy Independence Day, readers! Paul Revere’s Ride by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow Listen, my children, and you shall hear Of the midnight ride of Paul Revere, On the eighteenth of April, in Seventy-Five: Hardly a man is now alive Who remembers that famous day and year. He said to his friend, “If the British march By…

Reposted from The Warden’s Walk

Here is a great poem by none other than Lord Dunsany, posted on The Warden’s Walk, readers: “The Memory”: a poem by Lord Dunsany (1878 – 1957) This romantic fairy tale comes from Edward John Moreton Drax Plunkett, 18th Baron of Dunsany, one of the great British fantasists of the turn of the century, the remarkable…

Reposted: One Hundred Poets’ One Poem

Check out this excellent piece by John C. Wright, readers! One Hundred Poets’ One Poem I stumbled across video clip from a foreign movie that attracted my attention. The film is called ちはやふる — and I cannot read Japanese, so I have no idea at first what this means or what the film was about.…

The More Things Change…

…the more they stay the same. In the original Star Trek* episode “The Ultimate Computer,” Captain Kirk recites a line from John Masefield’s poem “Sea-Fever”: All I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by. What was good enough for the captain of a Constellation-class starship is good enough for modern…

On the Hunt for Love

Check out this great piece from The Way of Beauty, readers: The Poet And The Hound Of Heaven Francis Thompson was a poet, a mystic, and a devout Catholic. At one point early in his life he began studies to enter the priesthood, but he soon abandoned that effort. At the urging of his father,…

Bulletin: Organic Ink, Vol. 2 Close Out Sale Ends Tomorrow!

Dragon Soul Press will pull Organic Ink, Volume 2 from publication tomorrow, readers. If you want to grab a copy in e-book or paperback, now is the time. The paperback is still $19.99, but the e-book is available for 99 cents. When you purchase either copy through these Amazon links, this author will receive a…