To thine own self be true

Appearances and what’s below or behind the surfaces. People make assumptions all the time based on appearances. This poem is basically what the tv scene showed–approximate concrete details, but not absolutely/objectively factual–is the latter ever truly 100% possible? 

An intriguing scene, nonetheless. As Keats said, the poet sees, empathizes, tries to project himself into the scene to get a fuller meaning and understanding. In this case, the girl wanted ? something to happen and seemed vulnerable within the given street scene context.

Ultimately, for me, this is mostly a poem about non-communication, isolation, and alienation that typifies city life. A sad scene on a rainy day.

Those people who openly, willfully, irresponsibly, and unconscionably lie or obscure the truth.

Pretty much applies to all government leaders and partisans of every stripe. Advertisers, companies, and corporations as well. Some media sources like Fox News. And many individuals dodging responsibility for their actions.

Quite a far-reaching term in an age in which Truth is greatly endangered, ignored, or obscured.

I owe my use of the term to my grade 12/1967 study of Sean O’ Casey’s powerful play Juno and the Paycock (still very true and relevant today btw). The useless Captain Boyle and his drunk amigo Joxer discuss “twisting”, as in twisting words and meanings.

Imagination and perspective. The poem shape chose itself according to its subject matter.

White crowned sparrow. Interesting black and white head stripes. Likes to scuff with its feet on the ground to reveal insects and other edibles.

(left: side view, right: back view)

Red crossbill. Redder than finches. Upper bill overlaps/crosses with lower.

“Much needed empathy in decline as pandemic drags on.”

soup for lunch.

Forced pregnancy and turning desperate women into criminals when they seek abortions is grossly unfair and more crazy GOP/radical right stuff.

Government controlling women’s bodies is right out of Atwood’s A Handmaid’s Tale. Women no longer having equal rights to me and no rights to control their bodies, families, and lives.

If Roe v. Wade gets overturned and absolute abortion comes into law, discriminatory laws against non-caucasians, same-sex marriages, interracial marriages, contraception, and sex between consenting adults will not be too far behind with a GOP president, majority government and stacked SCOTUS.

U.S. will end all basic personal rights and freedoms subjugating everyone in the country to the dictatorship of the great Trump poobah, to screw the country and its citizens repeatedly at will.

A tv show deliberately recruiting too-young kids to work in close proximity to stoves and fire, luring them into dangerous situations for fame and fortune for the show’s producers and sponsors. Sick.