History, Natural History & the Arts
Ellis Island
The moment before the moment before,
when nothing yet had begun,
but everything was on the edge of speech,
and you, standing there, could hear it—
a pause, so deep it almost wasn’t there,
before the words could enter the chest. [Read more…] about Poetry: Ellis Island
In the quiet farmlands of Niagara County, New York, a woman was born who would lay the foundation for some of the greatest achievements in American legal history. Her name was Belva Ann Bennet Lockwood (1830-1917).
While she never achieved the iconic stature of Ruth Bader Ginsburg — no Hollywood films or t-shirts with her face — Lockwood’s legacy is essential today, as we face growing threats to the integrity of our judiciary and the principles of justice she fought for. [Read more…] about The Legacy of Belva Lockwood
Corn Hill’s name is wrapped in mystery, but its spirit is undeniable. While no one knows for sure how it came to be, three ideas stand out:
One theory suggests that Native Americans cultivated corn on the elevated land above the Genesee River, and as travelers headed north, they saw the “hill of corn” stretching out before them. [Read more…] about Corn Hill: Rochester’s Heartbeat of History, Culture, and Diversity
A Definition of Citizenship
At birth, a child carries 270 bones,
knitted from stars and silence.
As they grow, some fuse—
by adulthood, only 206 remain.
By two, their brain swells
to 80% of its final weight,
a vessel filling with light, with language. [Read more…] about Poetry: A Definition of Citizenship
The Finger Lakes region, renowned for its natural beauty and rich cultural heritage, serves as a unique gateway to the architectural genius of Frank Lloyd Wright.
While Wright’s influence can be seen in Rochester’s Edward E. Boynton House, it is his iconic Tree of Life stained-glass window that provides a deeper connection to his masterpiece, the Darwin D. Martin House in Buffalo, New York. [Read more…] about A Frank Lloyd Wright Masterpiece Connecting Buffalo & The Finger Lakes
Lake George
She saw the lake,
not as one,
but in fragments:
a leaf drifting,
its shadow grazing
the water’s surface. [Read more…] about Poetry: Lake George
Kodak’s role in global photography is legendary. The name Hawkeye is a key part of the company’s legacy and the 759,000-square-foot “Hawkeye Plant” a totem pole of Kodak’s storied past. [Read more…] about The Hawkeye Plant: Kodak’s Enigmatic Landmark Languishes
A Scene from Cranberry Lake
A kiss, alive like a moose
chewing wild rhubarb,
its crab leg red stems
sharp in the brush,
its antlers spread wide,
thinking, requesting nothing,
a gaze, a loyalty to the present,
held raw and unprepared. [Read more…] about Poetry: A Scene from Cranberry Lake
Before visiting the John Burroughs Memorial Site in Roxbury, New York, I didn’t fully grasp the depth of his influence.
I knew of Burroughs as a naturalist and writer, familiar with his collaborations with figures like John Muir and Theodore Roosevelt. His name is often mentioned within the larger context of environmentalism, but that was about the extent of my understanding.
It wasn’t until I made the journey to the Catskills that I truly began to appreciate who he was and the singular voice he brought to American nature writing. [Read more…] about Rediscovering John Burroughs at Woodchuck Lodge
Kurt Vonnegut’s visits to Rochester, NY, left an indelible mark, weaving his literary legacy into the fabric of the city’s history. In 1986, he appeared at the Unitarian Universalist Association’s convention, where he delivered his characteristic wit and a biting critique aimed at then-President Ronald Reagan. Before the event, Vonnegut signed books at Monroe Avenue’s Village Green Bookstore, a beloved literary institution that has since closed but remains warmly remembered by locals. [Read more…] about Kurt Vonnegut in Rochester & Schenectady
The Hiker
I snap the picture:
his checkerboard shirt, the cap
worn like a map of all roads
he’s walked. Black socks,
boots that know the pull of the earth.
Two poles, made by hand,
for a body still able to move,
but not forever. [Read more…] about Poetry: The Hiker
Seth Green, born on March 19, 1817, to a poor farming family in what was then a remote area along Culver Road in Rochester, New York, is considered a father of American fish culture and aquaculture.
At the time of his birth, Rochester was not yet a city, and the surrounding Genesee Valley was by then sparsely populated, and inhabited by wildlife such as bears, wolves, and rattlesnakes. [Read more…] about Seth Green: A Father of American Fish Culture and a Pioneer in Conservation
Nestled between Rochester and Buffalo, Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge (INWR) stands as one of the best-kept secrets of Western New York. This serene haven, spanning over 10,000 acres, is a testament to the timeless beauty and quiet reverence of nature.
My visits to the refuge, accompanied by my wife, have left us in awe of its tranquil atmosphere. There is something magical about the place — a sense of wildness that feels both untamed and peaceful; as if nature itself is speaking in whispers. [Read more…] about Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge: A Hidden Gem in Western New York
Coyotes
We call it a howl,
but it’s a bark, a screech—
a vicious shriek,
the sound of murder. [Read more…] about Poetry: Coyotes
Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862), born in Concord, Massachusetts, is an unexpected yet fitting figure in New York’s literary landscape. Though New York seldom appears in his writings, his experiences in the state profoundly influenced his life and work, particularly his famed experiment at Walden Pond.
In July 1844, Thoreau embarked on a solo hike through Adams, Massachusetts — the birthplace of Susan B. Anthony — and ascended Mount Greylock via the Bellows Pipe Trail. [Read more…] about Trekking After Thoreau in the Berkshires and Catskills
In recent years, there’s been growing interest in high-speed rail (HSR) as a way to address long-standing transportation challenges in Upstate New York. With increasing investments in technology, higher education, and infrastructure, the region stands at a pivotal moment to capitalize on the opportunities HSR could offer.
But while the potential benefits of high-speed rail are clear, it’s essential to recognize both the challenges and opportunities associated with such a transformative project. [Read more…] about High-Speed Rail: A Future for Upstate New York?
The career of Herman Melville continues to fascinate me. His first two books, Typee (1846) and Omoo (1847) captivated readers with vivid depictions of Polynesian life. [Read more…] about In the ‘Burgh with Herman Melville’s Mighty Theme
Atammayata
Birth and death, love and hate, the burnt scent
of cloves on fingers and campfire on jeans,
nothing is attached for long.
In the butter-soft leather light of purple fog,
a royal procession of swans announces themselves.
Not made of that, the lake is restless for now
Opal
Come to the surface,
O dear stone, the time
to appreciate each other
is nearly over.
Barn’s Burned Down
Now I see the moon,
in this burning heap of cinder block and timber,
this cataclysm, this crush,
this dense mass of silent consciousness,
I see you, my beloved, your wide
deep sapphire eyes.
The period we have to appreciate
each other is nearly over.
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