Demons rise and spreadChaos reigns and grace does fallHard times breed strong men Strong men face the tideEvil devours our childrenDarkness rolling in Sharpened by hardshipThe brave cut through endless strifeStrong men make good times Good times bring bountyLight spreads to banish the darkHope fills us once more Progress follows strengthYet progress dulls traditionGood timesContinue reading “The Cycle of Civilization: A Haiku Series”
Author Archives: Louis
Friends Forged In Fire: A Haiku Series
In 1853, Matthew Perry led four ships into Tokyo Bay to establish formal ties between the United States and Japan for the first time. Others had tried before, but none were successful. Perry’s mission was to secure safe harbor for shipwrecked Americans and gain permission for U.S. ships to refuel and resupply at Japanese ports.Continue reading “Friends Forged In Fire: A Haiku Series”
Heroes From History: David Humphreys
David Humphreys was an American officer, diplomat, and poet during the revolutionary period. He was born in Derby, Connecticut on July 10, 1752. Before the war of 1776, Humphreys went to Yale College and was one of the founders of a literary society known as the Connecticut Wits along with Joel Barlow, whom Humphreys wouldContinue reading “Heroes From History: David Humphreys”
Narrow Is the Way
This is an ABAB poem I wrote in rumination on the meaning of Matthew 7:13-14. The passage speaks of the importance of taking the more difficult road in life, for the easy path is the one many take, and it leads them to into ruin. It reminded me of how we must stress our bodiesContinue reading “Narrow Is the Way”
Keepers of the Flame
“Tradition is not the worship of ashes, but the preservation of fire.” ― Gustav Mahler A poem inspired by these words, the tides of history, and the importance of conserving our traditions to the maintenance of civilization. Traditions pass from ear to earA fateful guide to the lost soulAn eternal binding we find most dearAContinue reading “Keepers of the Flame”
And So Comes A New Year
And so passes another year on this journey of ours we call life. We carry on, hoping to be better moving forward than we were in the past. For many, that is the goal, and so it should be. Without that drive to continually improve ourselves, we lay stagnant and decay. Atrophy sets in andContinue reading “And So Comes A New Year”
Christmas Miracles: The Collapse of the Soviet Union
On December 25, 1991, the red flag with a hammer and sickle flying over the Kremlin was lowered, never to be raised there again. Numerous Soviet states had already announced they were leaving the Union. Intolerance of any political dissent, the centralized economy, and constant conflict with the rest of the world had finally wornContinue reading “Christmas Miracles: The Collapse of the Soviet Union”
The Gift of Giving
What is it to give a gift?The power to shape soulsAn ancient art to elate and upliftA force to make us whole We give to others to receiveThe greatest gift of allTo know in our hearts and to believeThere is no greater call Through this act we do ascendAnd rise up to our greatest selvesWhenContinue reading “The Gift of Giving”
Christmas Miracles: The Christmas Truce of 1914
The First World War was a major conflict for control of the European continent between the Central Powers of Germany and Austria-Hungary and the Allied Powers of France, Britain, and Russia. Many other countries came into the fold on one side or the other until most of the world was involved, and nearly the entireContinue reading “Christmas Miracles: The Christmas Truce of 1914”
Christmas Miracles: The Battle of Trenton
The month of December is host to many great tales. Some of heroism and bravery, others of self-sacrifice and generosity, and some tell of unsuspecting peace and tranquility. This is a special time for many when magic is in the air and the impossible is made possible. The Battle of Trenton in December of 1776Continue reading “Christmas Miracles: The Battle of Trenton”
The Pensive Warrior 