Author Archives: wordcloud9

About wordcloud9

Nona Blyth Cloud has lived and worked in the Los Angeles area for the past 50 years, spending much of that time commuting on the 405 Freeway. After Hollywood failed to appreciate her genius for acting and directing, she began a second career managing non-profits, from which she has retired. Nona has now resumed writing whatever comes into her head, instead of reports and pleas for funding. She lives in a small house overrun by books with her wonderful husband.

A Poem by H.D. on Her Birthday

Posted on September 10, 2022 by wordcloud9

September 10, 1886 – Hilda Dolittle born, pen name H.D., American poet and novelist, known for avant-garde poetry, literary editor of  The Egoist journal during WWI, frequently used Greek mythology and insights from psychoanalysis in her work; H.D.’s work was … Continue reading →

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Poems for Wonderful Weirdos Day

Posted on September 9, 2022 by wordcloud9

If you could look up “wonderful weirdo” in the 13th edition of The Chambers Dictionary of the Twentieth Century, I think you might very well find a photograph of Shel Silverstein. Shel Silverstein (1930-1999), beloved children’s book author, poet, singer-songwriter, cartoonist, and screenwriter, has over 20 million … Continue reading →

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White Supremacy

Posted on September 8, 2022 by wordcloud9

by IRENE FOWLER, Contributor ___________________________ “You have to get over the fear of facing the worst in yourself. You should instead fear unexamined racism. Fear the thought that right now, you could be contributing to the oppression of others and you … Continue reading →

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A Poem for Read a Book Day

Posted on September 6, 2022 by wordcloud9

Reading is under assault in the U.S. Right-wing extremists across the country are trying to get books banned – to get them removed from public libraries and public schools – labeling any books that make them uncomfortable as immoral, pornographic, … Continue reading →

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TCS: This Is Not a Small Voice You Hear

Posted on September 5, 2022 by wordcloud9

Good Morning! ______________________________ Welcome to The Coffee Shop, just for you early riserson Monday mornings. This is an Open Thread forum,so if you have an off-topic opinion burning a hole inyour brainpan, feel free to add a comment. ______________________________ “Become such as you … Continue reading →

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A Charming Poem by Eugene Field

Posted on September 2, 2022 by wordcloud9

Eugene Field Sr. (1850-1895) was born on September 2, 1850, in St. Louis, Missouri; American writer, best known for his poems for children and humorous essays. In 1875, he started his career as a reporter for the St. Joseph Gazette, and rose to … Continue reading →

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Bird of Eden

Posted on September 1, 2022 by wordcloud9

by IRENE FOWLER, Contributor Whilst trying to forge ahead with our unique personal lives, as indeed we must, we are often weighted down with past baggage, hindered by present constraints, and fearful of future outcomes. In fact, the business of … Continue reading →

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TCS: Between Truth and Falsehood, a Little Empty Space

Posted on August 29, 2022 by wordcloud9

Good Morning! ______________________________ Welcome to The Coffee Shop, just for you early risers on Monday mornings. This is an Open Thread forum, so if you have an off-topic opinion burning a hole in your brainpan, feel free to add a comment. ______________________________ “To … Continue reading →

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A Poem by Rita Dove on Her Birthday

Posted on August 28, 2022 by wordcloud9

Rita Dove was born August 28, 1952, in Akron, Ohio; American poet and essayist; winner of the 1987 Pulitzer Prize for Poetry for her book Thomas and Beulah; U.S. Library of Congress Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry, 1993-1995, the first African-American (after the … Continue reading →

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Two Poems for National Dog Day

Posted on August 26, 2022 by wordcloud9

Today is National Dog Day, founded in 2004, to encourage adoption. Rescue dogs make great companions, and each one deserves a “forever home.” To read Robert Service’s “Abandoned Dog” and Linda Pastan’s “The New Dog” click: 

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