An interview with Marilyn Chin, author of ‘Revenge of the Mooncake Vixen’ Oct 4, 2009
I learned timing from them and also from the ancients, Shakespeare, Catullus, Zhuangzi, for example. They re verbal ninjas who can slice you to pieces with their insults. (Boston Globe)
Can a Woman "Prong" a Man? Oct 2, 2009
The real meaning of irrumo is something like "to fuck (someone) in the face, esp. as a way of asserting dominance"; it is frequently found in the locker-room talk of Catullus and also appears in Martial's scurrilous epigrams. Even when the definitions of sexual terms are clear, they can often omit important aspects of the meaning. (Slate)
Poet laureate Diane di Prima gets her laurel Aug 14, 2009
A long list of fellow poets was read, including Catullus, Ezra Pound and Michael McClure, who was, with the city's fourth poet laureate, Jack Hirschman, among the revelers. A slight breeze wafted through the studio, as poetry lovers found their natural post-ceremony affinities: Some hovered over a bountiful display of food, others fervently lobbied each other for the legalization of pot, and still others were at the windows, admiring the parade of antique cars owned by Central American refugees... (San Francisco Chronicle -- Entertainment)
Seedy end to grandiose club Jun 22, 2009
More than one has suggested the Opposition Leader must have been inspired by the best known work of Roman poet Gaius Velerius Catullus, Sparrow, about his lover's dead bird. One translation reads in part: "Curses on you, Death's accursed darkness, devouring all that's lovely: you have stolen away my lovely sparrow! A cruel act! Poor little bird! for now, because of you, my girl's dear eyes are swollen red with crying.". (Sydney Morning Herald -- Australia)
