penwithlit

Thanks for Visiting 🙂

~Sunnyside

Over the past six months I’ve occasionally ventured beyond the Angeleno émigré scene, which continues to hold most of my attention, in order to translate the work of Russophone exiles who landed on other shores. One of these is the fabled poète maudit of the First Wave, Boris Poplavsky (1903-1935), who made his career, such as it was, in Paris, but whose earliest poems of note were written during the initial stage of his exile, in Constantinople — one of the primary way stations for those fleeing the Civil War from southern Ukraine. I’ve translated and written about Poplavsky before, but this time I had the occasion to render his dazzling youthful cycle of sonnets about his temporary home for a soon-to-be published volume dedicated to the literary legacy of “Russian Constantinople.” In 1920-21, the young poet found himself wandering through the streets, squares, and alleys of this borderland between…

A random survey of self-portraits created by women through the centuries

American painter Elaine de Kooning (1918-1989)

1. Self Portrait, 1946 / Ink drawing / Location unknown to me

2. Self Portrait, 1946 / Ink drawing / Location unknown to me

3. Action Self-Portrait, c.1956 / Oil on canvas / Private collection

[4 embedded links above]

See also:
https://schristywolfe.com/2022/01/10/autoportrait-day-10-elaine-de-kooning/
https://schristywolfe.com/2018/08/24/self-portraitsaugust-24/

Hummingbirds are small, colorful birds that are known for their unique ability to hover in mid-air by rapidly flapping their wings. Here are some interesting facts and information about hummingbirds: There are over 300 species of hummingbirds found in the Americas, from Alaska to Tierra del Fuego. They are important pollinators for many plants, as they transfer pollen from flower to flower while feeding on nectar. Overall, hummingbirds are fascinating birds with many unique adaptations that make them well-suited to their environment.

What do hummingbirds eat?

Hummingbirds primarily feed on nectar from flowers, which provides them with the high levels of energy they need to sustain their rapid wing beats and high metabolism. They have long, thin beaks that are perfectly adapted for feeding on the nectar deep within the flowers. In addition to nectar, hummingbirds also eat small insects and spiders for protein, which makes up a small portion…