Gilgamesh, the Sequel

Though it seems, well, an epoch ago now, it's been less than seven months since we discussed The Epic of Gilgamesh in Andrew George's translation. Who knew then that ancient text would be back in the news, and just down the street from where I live and move and have my being, at the Museum of the Bible? A tip of the hat to Ernie Raskauskas for sharing the following article detailing Hobby Lobby's role in donating some cuneiform tablets to the museum that turned out to be of dubious provenance.

And as a bonus track, the Washington Post's wit, Alexandra Petri, just devoted a column to that news. Enjoy!

More LGBTQ poets to know

Back in the spring, I began posting items here spotlighting LGBTQ poets whose work Poem-a-Day has featured. I've fallen behind on that project, so here is a catch-up compilation featuring those poems. Enjoy!

"Last Best Niche" by Cyree Jarelle Johnson

"Who Hurt You" by LA Warman

"I, Lover" by Elsa Gidlow

"Felt Flowers" by Noah Baldino

"freedom terrors" by dee(dee) c. arran

"Searching for a Palestinian Necropastoral (Eve)" by George Abraham

"the shoes" by Wo Chan

"Rememory" by Roya Marsh

"UPON Grief and Grievance: Art and Mourning in America, New Museum, New York/2021" by Ronaldo V. Wilson

Nick Carraway, unreliable narrator

My thanks to Ted Coltman for sharing this cross-disciplinary article from The Lancet, titled "The Great Gatsby and the challenge of unreliable narrators." If you double-click on the image below, it should become large enough to read, or you can go to the site. (You do have to register to read it there, but that is free.) Or email me and I'll gladly send you the PDF. 

An update on meeting in person...

The good news is that D.C. public libraries are again taking reservations for meeting rooms. (I thank those of you who have tipped me off to that welcome sign of progress.) But the bad news is that the only night any branch is open past 6 p.m. is Thursday. My hope is that sometime in the fall, libraries will again be open on Wednesday evenings, enabling us to resume meeting in person. 

As for the DC Center, I still haven't been able to obtain any definitive info on whether it will reopen at all, let alone where or when. As many of you know, the building that houses it has been designated for closure. Stay tuned...