Tag Archives: Taylor Swift

With Just a Tinge of Shame, I Present My Guiltiest Musical Pleasure: Taylor Swift

I have been as surprised as anyone might be who knows anything about my musical tastes to discover that I like Taylor Swift. Don’t get me wrong; I’m not hard core. I own only two of her records on vinyl, the pandemic era mega-hit Folklore, and the 2024 record store day release of The Tortured Poets Department: TheContinue reading “With Just a Tinge of Shame, I Present My Guiltiest Musical Pleasure: Taylor Swift”

#530: Premature Elegy for the Cardigan

I used to wear them. I had a math teacher colleaguewho wore them all the timeeven after everyone stopped.For all I know, in his retirementhe’s still wearing them,but I never see him anymore,so I can’t be sure. Mr. Rogers wore them. Mr. Rogers wore them so wellthat the cardigan sweater almost became synonymouswith Mr. Rogers–ifContinue reading “#530: Premature Elegy for the Cardigan”

#520: A Sonnet in Response to Anthony Fantano’s Review of “The Tortured Poets Department” by Taylor Swift, Written in the Second Person, in Service of the Concluding Couplet, and Not to Hide the Fact that I Liked the Record

You try not to be influenced by him;he’s smart, knowledgeable, a bit verbose, but often he’s critical of things you like,and mostly, mostly, you’re okay with that. But his bad review of the new Tay Tay made you doubt your own sense of what is good, made you think you had drunk of the Kool-Aid.HisContinue reading “#520: A Sonnet in Response to Anthony Fantano’s Review of “The Tortured Poets Department” by Taylor Swift, Written in the Second Person, in Service of the Concluding Couplet, and Not to Hide the Fact that I Liked the Record”

#513: Green

Never let go of that fiery sadness called desire. Patti Smith Time held me green and dying Though I sang in my chains like the sea. Dylan thomas, “Fern Hill” You’re not Dylan Thomas; I’m not Patti Smith. Taylor Swift, “the tortured poet’s department” Green Green with desire, lust in its seven deadly form,the greenContinue reading “#513: Green”

#504: A Sonnet for Taylor Swift

I listened to a story today on my news app about how some friendships areending over Taylor Swift and I laughed. It’s not a real friendship if, really, that’sthe only sticking point between the pals. I like her. I love her. I mean, I like her music (honestly, not always), but I love her humanity, I admire hergumption and humorContinue reading “#504: A Sonnet for Taylor Swift”

On the Twenty-first Day of 2024: The Numbers, Again

Number of bicycle rides in 2024: 5 Number of walks I’ve taken: I wasn’t counting. Let’s estimate that I went for a walk with the dogs maybe 7 times in 21 days. Number of alcoholic beverages consumed: 0 Number of times I wanted a drink really bad but nevertheless resisted: 5 Number of dreams I’veContinue reading “On the Twenty-first Day of 2024: The Numbers, Again”