Author Archives: thedeepened

Declaration from the Edge of Independence’s Extinction

“Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children’s children what it was onceContinue reading “Declaration from the Edge of Independence’s Extinction”

For Such a Time as This: “Casting Off”

None of us willingly chooses to live life without safety and happiness. Those ideas permeate our very Declaration of Independence. Only fools, anarchists, or sadomasochists would welcome perpetual danger, fear, and sorrow. And yet, setting up safety and happiness as the sole pillars for living are weak constructs at best. I’ve commented on this veryContinue reading “For Such a Time as This: “Casting Off””

The American Crisis: The Timeless Wisdom of Thomas Paine

THESE are the times that try men’s souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us,Continue reading “The American Crisis: The Timeless Wisdom of Thomas Paine”

For Such a Time as This: “Ballad for the Obdurate”

Obdurate (adj): stubbornly persistent in wrongdoing, hardened in feelings; resistant to persuasion or softening influences https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/obdurate Let’s be honest. We all have the propensity to choose the narrative we want to believe and refuse to consider other perspectives. But what concerns me is the growing trend to remove access to any dissenting point of view.Continue reading “For Such a Time as This: “Ballad for the Obdurate””

For Such a Time as This: “Let’s Away”

The timeless nature of literature never ceases to amaze me. How is it that writers from centuries past and different cultures can so clearly understand me and prophetically address the struggles of our time? It’s actually quite simple: we’re all human and there are universal struggles that continue to play out throughout history. The epicContinue reading “For Such a Time as This: “Let’s Away””

Father’s Day Blessing from Gerard Manley Hopkins

This Father’s Day I had planned to post a poem I wrote in honor of my Italian father and grandfather a few years back, but this morning I heard the phrase “fathers-forth” in my heart. Deep within me the voice of Gerard Manley Hopkins echoed and I knew that today was a day for PiedContinue reading “Father’s Day Blessing from Gerard Manley Hopkins”

Insight from the Inklings

Sometimes, Middle-earth and Perelandra don’t seem so far away! Over the weekend, my friend Kyle mentioned returning to Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings and McCullough’s John Adams for inspiration. They spoke to him of enduring hardship to build a better future. At the same time, I’ve been revisiting The Lord of the Rings filmsContinue reading “Insight from the Inklings”

Be Angry? What about Love?

Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Letter from the Birmingham Jail As a teacher, I’ve heard my share of commencement speakers. I wish I couldContinue reading “Be Angry? What about Love?”