Copyright notice
All text and original images in this blog © 1990-2010 by William P. Coleman. Some rights reserved. You may reuse only as specified in the Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License or by written permission.About me
If you'd like to know more about me, please see the About page. My qualifications for the scientific entries are in my CV.
I see no reason to segregate scientific and technical posts from humanistic ones. In my life, scientific concerns mix with ethical ones, and they shade into a philosophical interest in the nature of cognition and the nature of people. Doing science is as creative as writing fiction, and I get inspiration for both from the same gods.
You will find little here on current politics. I'm an activist, but not in symptoms. Experience in martial arts shows me that the sure way to lose is reactivity; but if you stay cool and remember your training and what you're there for then you achieve goals and, when conflict is unavoidable, you fight and win. The idea of the liberal arts I was brought up in is that broad understanding of cultures and ideas gives you deeper, better goals -- making success more likely and more satisfying. Negatively, the hysteria since 9/11 shows how a country frightened and reactive can destroy itself more than an enemy can. I'm trying to contribute by changing the terms of discourse. . . . As Allen Ginsberg wrote, "America, I'm putting my queer shoulder to the wheel."
One fact shouldn't require special mention, but it sometimes does: namely that I'm gay. This blog is not primarily about being gay, but the topic sometimes comes up. I'm proud of being gay and do not hide. Muse
Tag Archives: Poetry
Li Bai — Jade stairs complaint
Jade stairs complaint Li Bai 701-762 CE (translated by William P. Coleman) The jade stairs give birth to clear dew; in the late night it permeates gauze stockings. Yet she lowers the crystal curtain; jewel pendants tinkle, and she looks … Continue reading
Li Bai — Hearing a Flute on a Spring Night in Luoyang
Hearing a Flute on a Spring Night in Luoyang Li Bai 701-762 CE (translated by William P. Coleman) In some house there’s a jade flute — sound flies into the dark. Spring winds disperse it as they arrive, filling Luoyang City The … Continue reading
Li Bai — Hearing the monk Jun from Shu play the qín
Hearing the monk Jun from Shu play the qín Li Bai 701-762 CE (translated by William P. Coleman) The monk from Shu holds “Green Brocade,” in the west, beneath E-mei Mountain. For me — his hand scatters once — it’s … Continue reading
Li Bai — Longing, in springtime
Longing, in springtime Li Bai 701-762 CE (translated by William P. Coleman) The northern grasses are just bright green threads; but on eastern mulberries, green branches hang down. Days when the lord is first eager to come back — those … Continue reading
Li Bai — In the mountains, a question and an answer
In the mountains, a question and an answer Li Bai 701-762 CE (translated by William P. Coleman) You ask me what my idea is, staying in the green mountains? I smile but have no reply, my heart at peace in … Continue reading
Li Bai — Amusing myself
Amusing myself Li Bai 701-762 CE (translated by William P. Coleman) Preoccupied with the wine, I didn’t notice it get dark; fallen flowers have covered my clothes. Drunk, I stand up, and I walk to the moon stream; the birds … Continue reading
Wang Wei — In the Mountains
In the Mountains Wang Wei 701-761 CE (translated by William P. Coleman) In Bramble Stream, white stones jut out; the air’s cold, so red leaves are sparse. The mountain path is clear after rain; It’s the sky-greenery that wets my … Continue reading
Wang Wei — Bird-singing Stream
Bird-singing Stream Wang Wei 701-761 CE (translated by William P. Coleman) I’m at leisure. Cassia blossoms fall, and it’s a quiet night, solitary in the mountains. The moon rises — and startles the mountain bird that sings from time to … Continue reading
Wang Wei — Hsin-i Village
Hsin-i Village Wang Wei 701-761 CE (translated by William P. Coleman) At the tree top, the hibiscus are in flower; there on the mountain, they put forth red calyxes. There’s a hut by the stream, silent, with no one — … Continue reading
Li Bai — Seeing off Meng Haoran at Yellow Crane Tower on his way to Guangling
Seeing off Meng Haoran at Yellow Crane Tower on his way to Guangling Li Bai 701-762 CE (translated by William P. Coleman) My friend said goodbye leaving the west from Yellow Crane Tower. In the patterned mist of the third … Continue reading
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