https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2NDAhj3xtw4 In March of 2014, I was invited to the White House for a St. Patrick's Day celebration. The day after the event, I became aware of a march of Syrian refugees at the White House. There, in attendance, I saw an estimated 300 people of all sexes and ages. They were attempting to get further action out of the White House to stop the ravages of the Assad Regime. The pictures capture the incredible dignity and bearing of the Syrian refugees. Many carried si...

Credit: US Army By now, as a visitor to the Artist's Corner, you have had a chance to read “Distant Bells,” a poem which secured for me the designation of Poet Laureate for the Kerry Presidential Campaign in 2003. When first posted on this site, “Distant Bells” did not have the second page attached. That has been remedied and if, by chance you have not read the entire poem, you should do so now. Before discussing the second poem, “Honor,” I believe a brief visit to the subject of how a poem sho...

This poem led to my designation as Poet Laureate of the Kerry Presidential campaign. It bears the title “Distant Bells”, and was written in 2003 in strident opposition to the war in Iraq. The distant bells are ringing,are ringing night and day,are ringing as the horseman ridesto take my son away. I see him now at gallop,albeit distantly,I know that when he takes him,ne’er again will my son sit with me. We have only just now had them,and watched them slowly grow,from children to young manhood,...

Welcome to the Artist Corner, to become a regular, but occasional column of IVN. I, Michael Thorsnes, am a recovered lawyer, having practiced law for more than 30 years prior to the onset of Parkinson's disease approximately 12 years ago. My life changed in many ways in response to that event , the vast majority of which have ben positive enough to be regarded as a blessing. Why? Because, although I love the law and had a career that was said to have inspired many, I made the choice to devote my...