slavs

what is it that makes a Russian Russian? A Pole a Pole? A Slovak a Slovak?
is it food?  is it clothing? is it religion?
asked the professor.

yes, and no, I said.  language defines culture and culture defines language, so the answer is language.
if you understand a language well enough, you understand the culture.
the reverse isn't true.

we all have gods, and even the Irish have cabbage........

October: again

October, again
 Beyond all other names for time
 Beyond all other times
 October stands in memory
 Taller and more beautiful

 She is wife most faithful,
 A muse most wonderful
 a month of eternity

 gentle rain
 and not so gentle women
 fill her days, the days of mind
 the days of mindlessness
 the women, memories
 the rain
 a certainty

 I wake in the dark
 and you are there
 (or is it you? or you ?)
The Sun rises
l am alone.
 Never lonesome, I smile at the memory
of a morning kiss
 an evening kiss
  the notion of love
    or something like it

October, again
the smell of things about to sleep
the sun on golden leaves
the smell of women
who will be born again
in the Spring

October is the morning
of my year
the morning
of my life
the time of times
unmarked by sadness
or deceit