My beat -up 1977 copy of The Trial by F. Kafka None of us chose to be born. Personally I am extremely happy to have been born, and have no regrets whatever in this regard. This doesn’t take away from the fact none of us chose to be here in this space time on this … Continue reading Kafka, the Absurd, and The Trial
politics and art
Reading Kafka
To Read Franz Kafka (1883-1924) To read Kafka is to be immersed in a world of psychologic rather than in a world of logic, reasonableness and cause and effect. The word Kafkaesque, which has become common parlance, depicts humanity in an alternate reality in which a person is gripped by a labyrinth of repressive, incomprehensible … Continue reading Reading Kafka
Music and Me
For the longest time music has had the profoundest effect on me. Though quasi orgasmic in its effect some respects, I would more liken the effect of music on me to be more like a trip. It was only after I actually began to use drugs as an adult that I very quickly realized that … Continue reading Music and Me
Things I never Knew about the Poet William Blake – that is, Until Recently.
One of the most important poets in the English language, or indeed any language, was born November 28, 1757 in London, England. He remained largely unknown during his lifetime. Though he had an established reputation as an engraver of considerable gifts, his reputation as a poet, something that he achieved world historical repute for in … Continue reading Things I never Knew about the Poet William Blake – that is, Until Recently.
THE DON
“I could stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue and shoot somebody and I wouldn’t lose any voters.” (2016) Donald J. Trump, 45th president of the United States (2017 - 2021). Trump's disastrous destructive four years of US presidency, undoubtedly the worst POTUS in history and a cautionary tale for all leaders, is but the … Continue reading THE DON
The Organ Grinder’s Monkey
Herman J. Mankiewicz and the writing of Citizen Kane Herman Jacob Mankiewicz (November 7, 1897 - March 5, 1953) was a fascinating man, a deeply troubled man, a man of excess, a man of compassion, contradiction, and great humanity. He also held a grudge like no other. Being gifted he went to Hollywood, and, like … Continue reading The Organ Grinder’s Monkey
Notes for a 21st Century Artistic Manifesto
The Place of Literature.Art is the imitation of life by means of signs, symbols and plastic objects. Literature is the imitation of life using symbols and signs to tell stories. To understand what life means we use art as a skeleton key into what has always been the greatest of mysteries and challenges. Here in … Continue reading Notes for a 21st Century Artistic Manifesto
A People’s Poem for Limerick
From left Poet John W. Sexton, Mayor Michael Sheahan (Limerick) and Oran Ryan A poem written by Limerick people and made up of words, phrases and lines submitted during the Limerick Writers’ Centre’s recent poetry festival ‘April is Poetry Month in Limerick 2019’, was this week unveiled and presented to the mayor of Limerick Cllr. … Continue reading A People’s Poem for Limerick
The Length of a Piece of String
I am a bit worried about what I am writing at the moment. People see me spend long stretches working, and ask me in a roundabout way actually I am working on, and I don't really want to say. There are two reasons for my uncool evasiveness. Firstly I only have a few … Continue reading The Length of a Piece of String
Popcorn and Cat Memes and the Passing of Time
Its good to begin with a joke or a parable. I don't like gimmicks, but I got two little stories. This is one I heard today while listening to a website called You are Listening to Deep Thought. I heard it as I was trying and failing to move forward on the latest draft of … Continue reading Popcorn and Cat Memes and the Passing of Time
oranryan.blog 
You must be logged in to post a comment.