She began to talk about being an air hostess; about herself. ‘Oh Jesus, excitement. That lasts about a couple of duties. New faces, new cities, new romances with handsome pilots. Most of the pilots think we are part of the aircrew amenities. Just queuing up to be blessed by their miserable old Battle-of-Britain cocks. IContinue reading “RKS British Literature: About Being an Air Hostess (John Fowles)”
Tag Archives: Robert K. Stephen
RKS CHINESE FILM: “Operation Hadal”: Beyond the Classic War Movie?
“Operation Hadal” exhibits all the tried-and-true elements of the classic war movie; bad guys, good guys, the old warriors, the young boastful bucks, blood, guts, tension, suspense, bravery, sacrifice for country and fellow warriors and hand to hand combat…and that schmaltzy over the top Top Gunish type music. Let’s not forget the patriotism and prideContinue reading “RKS CHINESE FILM: “Operation Hadal”: Beyond the Classic War Movie?”
RKS Greek Literature: Aphrodite Let Me Win This Round! (Sappho)
Sweet mother, I can’t take shuttle in hand. There is a boy, and lust Has crushed my spirit – just As gentle Aphrodite planned. Since I have cast my lot, please, golden-crowned Aphrodite, let me win this round! Sappho (630 BCE-570BCE), “Come Close”
RKS Greek Literature: Blest Bridegroom (Sappho)
Blest bridegroom, this day of matrimony, Just as you wished it, has come true: The bride is whom you wished for… You Move gracefully; your eyes are honey; Charm was showered on your radiant face – Yes, Aphrodite granted you outstanding praise The ambrosial mixture Ready in the mixing bowl, Hermes went round with aContinue reading “RKS Greek Literature: Blest Bridegroom (Sappho)”
RKS Greek Literature: Can’t Stand Being the Old One (Sappho)
As you are dear to me, go claim a younger Bed as your due. I can’t stand being the old one any longer, Living with you. Sappho (630 BCE-570BCE), “Come Close”
RKS British Literature: Dandyism and Eccentricity (John Fowles)
But all dandyism and eccentricity is more or less unnatural in a world dominated by the desperate struggle for economic survival. John Fowles, “The Magus”, 1977.
RKS British Literature: Hitler Did Not Betray Himself (John Fowles)
‘The human race is unimportant. It is the self that must not be betrayed.’ ‘I suppose I could say that Hitler didn’t betray his self.’ He turned. ‘You are right. He did not. That was the tragedy. Not that one man had the courage to be evil. But that millions had not the courage toContinue reading “RKS British Literature: Hitler Did Not Betray Himself (John Fowles)”
RKS British Literature: A Mad Lust Not to be Killed (John Fowles)
Desolation. Rubble, fragments of plastered wall, broken rafters, the yellow splashes of lyddite everywhere, The drizzle that had started again gleaming on the stones. On the skin of corpses. Many Germans had been caught in the houses. In ten minutes I saw a summary of the whole butcher’s shop of war. The blood, the gapingContinue reading “RKS British Literature: A Mad Lust Not to be Killed (John Fowles)”
RKS Poetry Anthology (All We Get Are The Coffee Grinds): The Toronto Blue Jays and an Entourage of Traitors
The Toronto Blue Jays and an Entourage of Traitors You see them on television in American ball parks travelled across the border like duped marks Obviously, baseball Trumps a sense of decent nationalism A sort of ignorant traitorous priapism Just let “you know who” rip and tear Canada and threaten and roar menacing insults ButContinue reading “RKS Poetry Anthology (All We Get Are The Coffee Grinds): The Toronto Blue Jays and an Entourage of Traitors”
RKS British Literature: A Third-Class Degree and a First-Class Illusion (John Fowles)
I acquired expensive habits and affected manners. I got a third-class degree and a first-class illusion: that I was a poet. But nothing could have been less poetic than my seeing-through-all boredom with life in general and with making a living in general. I was too green to know that all cynicism masks a failureContinue reading “RKS British Literature: A Third-Class Degree and a First-Class Illusion (John Fowles)”
