My Reading & Thoughts
A Great, Idea-Rich Sentence by Ralph Waldo Emerson
I read some Emerson in college, but nothing since. I came across this great sentence reading Mark Edmundson’s book Why Write? I appreciate Emerson’s message that we must tune out the noise to see reality clearly. I also agree that as independent thinkers, we must be willing to earn reproach from others. Our own truth is not a popularity contest. Finally, I agree with the notion that the ultimate reward for seeing clearly is our own satisfaction, not something external such a public recognition. Our time, like Emerson’s, rewards conformity. Thinking independently is challenging, yet worth the struggle.
Links to Two of my Favorite Poems
I am not a huge poetry fan, but I do love Gary Snyder’s work. Snyder went to Reed College here in Portland and for many years taught at my alma mater in Northern California. His poetry blends nature mysticism, Zen Buddhism, and the vast landscapes of North America. As of this post, he is 95 years old and still kicking. Snyder’s poetry came to mind because the biography on Jerry Garcia that I am reading explains the influence of the Beats on San Francisco and Jerry. Snyder was one of the OG Beats. Indeed, he is the inspiration for the character Japhy Ryder in Jack Kerouac’s book Dharma Bums.
Below are links to two of my favorite Snyder poems. Enjoy!
