The Plague of Plagiarism

The plague of plagiarism has again struck the United Kingdom poetry communities with the revelations of British poet David Morgan plagiarizing a variety of poems by mostly American poets.

In both instances, the plagiarists copied verbatim – with a few minor changes – poems previously published. I want distinguish mashing up from plagiarism. A culture mashup, like sampling, takes pieces from an extant work and reworks it with new material in the hopes of creating something new.

Plagiarism is attempting to get something for nothing.

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I was googling "living long term as a transsexual." What I found surprised me. Besides the smattering of websites about transgender and transsexual people describing discrimination or long-term partnerships, I could not find any sites dedicated to people like me offering information and support for emerging transsexuals. I guess we do get woodworked.

Cleaning Windows

Cleaning windows is a ritual I attempt at least once a year. With clean windows I can see more clearly how the outside constructs the inside and vice versa. Cleaning windows also gives me a sense of accomplishment and heralds the longer days and heat of summer.

Cleaning windows, like all forms of cleaning house, allows me to care for me and us and our home. Fundamentally cleaning windows is an act of self-care as important for me as writing and reading.
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Cleaned windows and gutters and downspouts on the first summer day of spring.