charles alan long

This book is a compilation of poems written by inspiration by Professor Emeritus Charles Alan Long, that reflect a long career of scholarship with many historical and lyrical expressions hidden by layers of research and teaching. A chronology of sorts, it begins in Dr. Long’s youth in college over sixty years ago, and continued until he was 80, as a teacher, professor of research, museum director, soldier, with success in bio-mathematics, natural history, as a philosopher, critic, and member of a progressive family. Some current, practical problems studied from the vantage of evolutionist, ecologist, biblical critic, naturalist, and offended American include the sudden rise of marijuana, political rhetoric, usury beyond decency, and by liberals and conservatives alike the erosion of personal liberty, especially of speech and universities. But the poems, from laments, to loves, to joy, to pathos and death, poverty to wealth, nature, art, music, and poetry itself are presented in almost musical sadness or joy. The history of an intellectual’s scholarly travels, whereas some poems are for children, some for society, some attacking evils, some praising good people, with merit even in deference to religions, many nations, and his beloved homeland. The poems are in large part visits into nostalgia and sentiment. Cultures of many peoples in many nations are described, as are many situations in America. There is, of course, an American core, but surely this poet loves good peoples and the history of Greece, France, Scotland, Africa, Russia, and other places. Loves genuine for many women inspired many lovely poems, a lot of romance. But profound in its argument is love for the poor and unhappy people, love for art, nature, philosophy, even sports, science and math, even religions. It becomes unified by reason, his active caring, and his bursts of singing. Much attention is given to geography, history, science and nature.