|
 SPRING
2020
We are
experiencing
a larger
version
of the
concept
of
closed
society.
It is
new to
our time
in our
nation,
but old
in human
life.
It has a
troubled
history.
Any
student
of the
political
regimes
of the
past
century
or so
knows
that
separation
and
deliberate
alienation
of
people
from
their
natural
urge to
congregate,
meet, go
out
together,
and live
with
relative
autonomy
are
hallmarks
of
tyranny.
As well,
and most
importantly
for us,
they are
also
markers
for a
profound
medical
emergency.
For a
review
of past
efforts
like
this,
look
into the
history
of city
closings
and
levels
of
quarantine
during
the two
years of
the
influenza
catastrophe
1918-1919,
when
fifty
million
died
worldwide.
It is
very
difficult
to
distinguish
between
the two
states.
Both are
command-driven,
not
popular
with
anybody.
Each is
enormously damaging
in its
own way.
Both
depend
ultimately
on
people
in
uniform
to
enforce
the new
order.
But, if
the
SARS-2/Covid
19/novel
corona
virus's
threat
is as
grave as
medical
authorities
around
much of
the
world
seem to
think,
we don't
have
much
choice
but to
stay in
where
possible,
stay
apart
when
outside,
stick to
small
groups
(unless
electronically
networked)
and, as
much as
it might
conflict
with
your
values,
let
professionals
work
with
people
who are
sick.
Spring 2020
postings
include
(in
Essays)
Joseph
S.
Salemi's
consideration
of
Alexander
Pope,
the 18th
century
English
classicist
whose
poetry
and
essays
are
still
widely
read and
admired.
In
Poetry,
we have
poems by
Bruce
Bennett, Claudia
Gary,
Charles
Southerland,
Frederick
Turner, E.S.
Frese,
jr., Steven Duplij,
Sally
Cook, Joseph
S. Salemi,
Jennifer
Reeser,
Michael
Curtis,
Carolyn
Raphael and the
Webmaster,
with
hopes we
may
gather
more in
the next
few
days.
Poetry:
Select
to see
current
and past
postings.
Essays:
Dr.
Salemi
on
Alexander
Pope.
Reviews:
A review
is
expected
soon.
News:
Nothing
new that
could
possibly
interrupt
virus
coverage.
Archives:
Divided
into two
sections,
New and
Old.
Online
Prosody:
As of now
this
will
remain
in the
Old
archives
until
editing
and
rewrite
are
complete.
As noted
on the
original
announcement,
contributions
will be
by
assignment,
as we do
not have
the
resources
to
manage
online
submissions.
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