53 Interesting Facts About The Number 53: poem 53 by e.e. cummings (for Larry Levine)
This year I am doing a weekly writing experiment about the number 53. This week’s interesting fact about the number 53 is the poem “53′ by e.e. cummings from his 1954 collection, 100 Selected Poems.
I decided I wanted to find a poem to honor the life and work of Lawrence Levine who was shot by one of his students on October 1, 2015. This post is dedicated to Larry Levine, and to my colleagues at community colleges across the country who keep their hearts open in the wake of this tragedy.
Like Lawrence Levine, I am a community college teacher of writing who is a poet and loves the outdoors. Unlike Lawrence Levine, today I am alive while Larry is dead —killed by a student who shot his professor in their classroom as well as a number of his classmates before dying of a self-inflicted gun shot.
I chose this poem after looking at verses and poems numbered or titled 53 including ones from Emily Dickinson and Walt Whitman before selecting this one by e.e. cummings:
may my heart always be open to little
birds who are the secrets of living
whatever they sing is better than to know
and if men should not hear them men are oldmay my mind stroll about hungry
and fearless and thirsty and supple
for even if it’s sunday may i be wrong
for whenever men are right they are not youngand may myself do nothing usefully
and love yourself so more than truly
there’s never been quite such a fool who could fail
pulling all the sky over him with one smile
Sotomayer: Value of Dreams to Aspire, Measure of Success What We Do Today
In her book My Beloved World, Sonia Sotomayer says that,
“Experience has taught me that you cannot value dreams according to the odds of the their becoming true.
Their real value is in stirring within us the will to aspire.
That will, wherever it finally leads, does at least move you forward. And after a time you may recognize that the proper measure of success is not how much you’ve closed the distance to some far-off goal but the quality of what you’ve done today.”
Today my students and I will take to the field again — this time, to Ventura’s Color Garden located near City Hall on Poli Street near Chestnut and Fir, then we will walk up behind City Hall to the Botanical Garden.
In both places, they will learn about dreams, old and recent, and they will discuss dreams: dreams of a world without natur
e deficit disorder, of Nowtopias full of community gardens and bicycle kitchens —
and you are invited.
Here’s How to #StandwithPP for #PinkOut Today 9/29 for Planned Parenthood
Did you hear THAT? The #PinkOutThunderclap? It happened today, Tuesday 9/29–at noon EDT and at 9am PDT– on social media? Did you feel it?
Planned Parenthood Federation of America president Cecile Richards testified before Congress this morning — and she is the only witness in a politically-motivated hearing meant to attack Planned Parenthood. And while she’s taking the fight to Capitol Hill, millions of women’s health champions just like you will be rallying across the country in support.
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6. Blog about #PinkOut and share your blog post on social media.
Why should YOU join ME to #PinkOut? Planned Parenthood is threatened with defunding because of lies, misinformation, and a bogus, misleading video and various other campaigns
.
Here are some facts about what Planned Parenthood is and what it does: Read more…
53 Interesting Facts About The Number 53: 53′ Ganesha and the Lunar Eclipse
In my hunt for 53 interesting facts about the number 53 to share on 53 Sundays this year, I have traveled to many surprising and unexpected places uncovering historic facts, trivia, songs, and books. With today both a supermoon blood moon lunar eclipse and Lord Ganesha’s birthday, I wondered what I would find about the number 53. Read more…
California Wine Month and Sunset Savor
Art Predator is on the PROWL for California Wine Month at Sunset Savor on the central coast!! Will you be there too?
What better way to celebrate the final weekend of California Wine Month than to attend Sunset Savor in the heart of California’s central coast wine region to taste local food and wine?
Today I am driving up to Santa Margarita to attend The Main Event where I will experience an “epicurean and adventure playground”! Sounds perfect for a Wine Predator like me
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Introducing Darlene Love: LA 9/20/15
Phil Spector may be locked up in prison, but Darlene Love has been set free from near anonymity by Steve Van Zandt to sing and glory in all that her God-filled soul can muster.
But then the magic began as Steve, Darlene and the 19 other musicians took to the stage.
Fall Harvest: Complain or Rejoice?
We can complain because our rose bushes have thorn, points out Abraham Lincoln, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses.
Is the glass half empty or half full? Or as John Halcyon Styn’s Grandpa Caleb says, it’s a beautiful glass?
As the season changes from summer to fall in the northern hemisphere, as we near a lunar eclipse on Sunday, and as Lord Ganesha roams the earth removing obstacles during his birthday celebrations, it is a good time to reflect on how we are viewing the world, our world. What are we harvesting this autumn? What actions are we taking to make the world a more wonderful place? What are we setting in motion?
This Wednesday, all are welcome to Art City Gardens Read more…
Debate at Reagan Library Activates Locals
One of my Ventura College colleagues, Veronica Valadez who teaches Ethnic and Chicano Studies, writes that “In class we’ve talked about the historical subjugation, marginalization, colonization, and oppression of the Chicana/o people and their ancestors. This struggle still exists today and it’s very real and very ugly. As you know, Donald Trump has made some very racist comments against Mexicans, and due to his racist hate speech, discrimination and violent acts against Mexicans and Chicanos are on the rise. In fact, those who have committed such hateful acts against Mexicans have even quoted Donald Trump to validate their actions. Many of you have asked what you can do, and well, an opportunity has presented itself.” Read more…
53 Interesting Facts about the Number 53: Saros Eclipse Cycle 53 + September Eclipses
Unless you were in South Africa or Antartica or you are particularly psychically sensitive or you follow the wanderings of Lord Ganesha on Earth whether or not you are Hindu, you may not have noticed that
today Sunday September 13 was a partial solar eclipse.
Today in fact there was a partial solar eclipse visible way down under (photo above from Texas in 2012; details below). Below are photos from today’s eclipse:
Also exciting for sky watchers: in two weeks there will be a lunar eclipse visible to much of North America! Yes on Sunday September 27 Read more…
Ventura County Ag Summit Includes Water Solutions, Area Wineries
Local wine and food expo yo! Talk with local Ventura County experts and sample food and wine plus music and other vendors! Today Friday and tomorrow Saturday!
Cal State University Channel Islands will be home to a two day Ventura County Agricultural Summit featuring panels, speakers, and food on Friday Sept. 11 from 8:30am-6:30pm and food and wine tasting on Saturday Sept. 12 from noon to 4:30pm.
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art predator 