Articles written by Kerry Michael Wood - Page 4

Where Knowledge Rules

What is Helium

About me - Kerry Michael Wood

I am a graduate of Yale University with a Master's degree in English. I am busily retired and live in Pacific Grove, CA. I am attempting to market my self-published memoir, "Past Imperfect, Present Progressive. I spend much of my spare time at the computer

+ more bio information

RSS Feed

Arts & Humanities > Poets & Poetry Poetry analysis: The Road Not Taken, by Robert Frost: 1 of 9
The dramatic situation of The Road Not Taken, by Robert Frost, is clear and easily stated. All readers say to themselves, "Yes, I've been in that situation and had to make a similar choice." The speaker of the four stanzas of iambic tetrameter describes walking in the woods and arriving at a fork in the road. Presumably it i... More..
Creative Writing > Satire Satire: Cars: 1 of 9
Not long ago I took a substitute teaching job at Pacific Grove High. Pulling into the school's employee parking lot, I had to be particularly cautious because student pedestrians could not hear engine noise from my hybrid auto, which was running on its battery. I mention this seemingly insignificant matter here because it be... More..
Creative Writing > Reflections Reflections: Favorite Christmas traditions: 4 of 34
When my sons were still counting their ages in single digits, they loved J.R.R. Tolkien's "The Father Christmas Letters." These were yearly messages describing in words and pictures the life and times of Father Christmas at the North Pole. My sons were sad when they reached the end of the thin volume. That gave me the idea f... More..
Creative Writing > Poetry Poetry: Children: 24 of 200
Step Ladder Brian ran around the yard Boy-buoyant, First helium balloon Streaming behind, Its string tied round his wrist. Red orb of joyous innocence Tugging gently for release- Transcending Earth to seek a higher realm. The sun was warm on my bare back As futilely I battled spurgy growth; And I was warmed within by son wit... More..
Sports & Recreation > Golf Best winter golf getaway in the West: 1 of 8
If you live in California's or Oregon's coast, you could fill a large volume on this subject. I'll narrow my focus to the Greater Monterey Bay area. Here golf is a year-round activity and frost delays are a rarity. Let's start with what I'm seeing out my living room window. Pacific Grove Municipal Golf links is often referre... More..
Arts & Humanities > Poets & Poetry Poetry analysis: My Last Duchess, by Robert Browning: 2 of 15
Robert Browning's "My Last Duchess" is a dramatic monologue that characterizes the speaker - a sixteenth century Duke of Ferrara - and presents a detailed study of the Duke's former wife, whose picture hangs on the wall of the man's elegant palazzo. The reader finds himself a listener, as is the envoy of the Count, whose dau... More..
Education > Secondary School (Other) How to get recruited to play college volleyball: 2 of 15
Recruiters scouting for volleyball players know exactly what skills and abilities they want to see. Height is obviously an asset as it is in basketball, but physical stature must be complemented by superb coordinatiion. Hustle, attitude, and determination are other plus factors. Especially on defense, players must be willing... More..
Arts & Humanities > Ancient & Biblical Languages The benefits of Latin language study: 3 of 22
A former secondary school teacher of English, French, and Russian who moonlighted in Scholastic Aptitude Test preparation, I could write volumes about the usefulness of Latin instruction both to those in my professional area and to others who wish to command their language more fully. Knowledge of Latin roots is the single m... More..
Creative Writing > Memoirs Memoirs: What my dog means to me: 61 of 428
Memoirs: What my dog means to me She is warm and responsive. She enjoys my hands on her body, caressing, exploring, teasing the sensitive nerves at the base of her spine. Her eyes are amber pools behind lashes of impossible length and curvature. I delight in ruffling her short, curly, flaxen hair. Her body welcomes intimate ... More..
Arts & Humanities > William Shakespeare William Shakespeare's Othello and the issue of race: 1 of 7
Shakespeare's Othello, the Moor of Venice dramatizes the tragic love and marriage of a Venetian woman and a blackamoor. Though some modern productions of the play have de-emphasized the bi-racial aspect, casting Caucasian actors in the lead role, there is no doubt that the Othello Shakespeare envisioned and borrowed from Gir... More..