"The Wife of Bath," Geoffrey Chaucer's Canterbury Tales

The Prologue of the Wife of Bath's Tale

"Experience, though it would be no authority in this world, would be quite sufficient for me, to speak of the woe that is in marriage; for, gentle people, since I was twelve years old--thank God, Who lives forever--I have had five husbands at the church-door (for I have been wedded so often); and all were worthy men in their ranks. But in truth I was told not long ago that since Christ went only once to a wedding, in Cana of Galilee, by that same example he taught me that I should be wedded only once. Lo! Hear what a sharp word Jesus, man and God, spoke on a certain occasion beside a well, in reproof of the Samaritan woman. He said, 'You have had five husbands; and that man who has you now is not your husband.' Thus he said, certainly. What he meant by it I cannot say; but I ask, why the fifth man was no husband to the Samaritan woman. 22

"How many could she have in marriage? At this point I have never in my life heard a designation of the number. Men may divine and interpret up and down, but well I know, surely, God expressly instructed us to increase and multiply. I can well understand that noble text. Likewise, I know well he said also that my husband should leave father and mother and take me. But he did not mention any number, not bigamy or of octogamy. Why should men speak villainously of them? 34

"Lo, Sir Solomon the wise king! I believe he had more than one wife, and I wish to God it were lawful for me to be refreshed half so often! What a gift of God he had in all his wives! No man who lives in this world now has so many. God knows this noble king, to my thinking, had a merry life with each of them, so joyous was his lot! Blessed be God that I wedded five! And they were the best that I could pick out, both in their bodies and of their coffers. A variety of schools make perfect scholars, and much practice in a variety of employments truly makes the perfect workman. I have the schooling of five husbands. I would welcome the sixth, whenever he shall come! In truth, I will not keep myself wholly chaste; when my husband has departed from the world, then some other Christian man shall wed me. For then, the apostle says, I am free, in God's name, to wed where I wish...," 50  The Wife of Bath's Tale and Prologue .

"Reverse Stereotypes," Shae Harris and Danny Strack

(Battle of the Slams 2015) 

Write About Now

The French Legation- East Austin, Texas

When I was teaching French at O. Henry Middle School, first-year students would always end the year with a trip to the French Legation.  My classes were relatively small, so parents would help drive and "Monsieur George" as the kids called him would take-off from work to drive a van.  It was a educational and a wonderful time for parents, children, teacher, and driver!  

"The French Legation Museum began in 1841 as a private home built for the French chargé d’affaires, Alphonse Dubois. The property has had two other significant owners including Dr. Joseph Robertson, and the State of Texas who appointed the Daughters of the Republic of Texas the custodians of the property. 

Alphonse DuboisIn 1839, the monarch of France, King Louis Philippe, sent Alphonse Dubois to the Republic of Texas, to explore any benefit of an alliance between Texas and France. Upon Dubois’ recommendation, the King officially recognized the Republic of Texas as a sovereign nation when he signed a treaty of amity, navigation, and commerce.  For his part in the process, Dubois was promoted to “chargé d’affaires” and instructed to establish an official Legation in Texas. In 1839 when Dubois was unable to find a suitable house, he hired builders to construct a fine cottage. However, in December 1841, Sam Houston was reelected president of the Republic and the capital moved from Austin to Houston. Coinciding with this move, Dubois encountered political and personal difficulties in Austin and sold his house to a Catholic bishop, Father Odin, before the house was even completed. 

The Robertson Family Father Odin held ownership of the property until 1847, when the house and surrounding land was sold to Moseley Baker. Baker in turn sold the property to South Carolina native Dr. Joseph W. Robertson in 1848, who hoped to run a girls’ school at the house. However, the plans for the academy did not succeed and the house became the Robertson family home. Dr. Robertson and his wife, Lydia Lee Robertson, their eleven children and nine enslaved workers lived at the site, which became known in Austin as Robertson Hill. The Robertson’s daughter, Lillie Robertson, lived in the home her entire life, nearly 84 years. Miss Robertson opened the house to the public, offering tours of what she called the “Old French Embassy.” Following the death of Miss Robertson, the house was sold to the State of Texas.

The Daughters of the Republic of Texas Following the sale of the Legation to the state, the Daughters of the Republic of Texas (DRT) were appointed the property’s custodian organization. The DRT collected objects owned by Dubois and the Robertsons, purchasing many others to interpret the home-lives of the former owners of the historic home. After allowing an extensive archeological excavation of the kitchen and privy, they reconstructed these structures behind the historic house. A reconstructed carriage house was erected and now houses the Museum’s offices, gift shop and meeting room. The French Legation Museum opened to the public in 1956,  French Legation.org .

 

" I Got the Sun in the Morning..."

Annie Get Your Gun, 

Earl Holliman's
Fiesta Dinner Playhouse-

Summer, 1983,

 or there about...

Doris Day

Remembering Tamir (on the 4th of July)...

When I grow up

To become a man

I'm gonna be a Super Hero, 

Savin' the world

From all things bad.

I think I’ll wear

Not a cape of red

But a Shirt of Blue,

A Silver-Star Badge

Of Invincible Power,

An Emblazoned Cap-- 

All the neighborhood

Tryin' it on

For size.

The protector of

Our Community,

My family will be so

Proud of me

My best friend,“Musa,”*  (*Mansa Musa, 1280-1337)

A faithful canine partner,

We'll be on-patrol

Keepin’ the Peace

Not with fear but

Heart, Hope, 

And Honor.

Until then,

He and I

Walk tree-lined streets

With watchful pride

Seein' the beauty of our lives

Full of fun and laughter: 

Bicycles, Swing-sets,

Slippery Slides--

A game of “fetch” for

Me and Musa to try.

One day we’ll both be

Big and Strong

I know it won't take very long

My teacher says,

“All good things come

To those who wait.”**  (**Lamentations 3:25)

I'm just hopin' it won’t be

Too late.

I guess tomorrow

Will be soon enough

But right now,

Mom says, 

“Supper’s up.”

Then it'll be

Time to play

Before dreamin’

Of another day…

When I grow up

To be a

Super Hero.

Your friend,

Tamir 

On November 22, 2014, Tamir Rice was shot by police officers, mistaking his toy gun for a real one at the Cudell Recreation Center in Cleveland, Ohio.  He died the next day, November 23, 2014.  He was 12-years-old.

Developed from, inspired by, and in solidarity with Black Poets Speak Out Writing Workshop, NeoSoul Poetry Lounge,  Wednesday, June 28, 2017.

Black Poets Speak Out
Black Lives Matter
NeoSoul Poetry Lounge

"The Girl Who Was Afraid To Be," Nikita Gill

                             

Introducing Nikita Gill

"Luca," Suzanne Vega

"And behold a pale horse...."

"And I looked, 

and behold a pale horse:

and his name 

that sat on him was Death,

and Hell followed with him.

And power was given unto them 

over the fourth part of the earth,

to kill with sword, 

and with hunger, 

and with death,

and with the beasts 

of the earth,"

Revelations 6:8

Pale Rider