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Writings of Andrea W. LeDew
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Buy Now: Polemics: Political Poems & Prose
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This is the page to buy Polemics: Political Poems & Prose. The button will lead you to a universal link at Books2Read, from which you can choose your favorite vendor.
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Thank you for subscribing to the For Random Learning Comes newsletter!
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I have let time slip through my fingers this month, with over thirty days elapsing between newsletters. Blame the Taxman and the many events that crowd the gorgeous spring in this part of the world for my negligence in getting back in touch!
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What I mean by being busy includes much, besides working on taxes. If you've met me, you know I love a quiet day, but there were few of those this month.
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March 31, CrayonBox Weekly recorded an interview with me. This podcast is run by a Marine veteran, Carl, and it deals with politics and the issues of the day. He has very insightful and well-informed opinions. The host took the time to listen to my entire audiobook on Apple beforehand, and was very kind in his praise of it.
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That is over a five-hour dedication of time to my one book, so I feel very flattered. He also let me read several of my poems aloud, including Lunatic and
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The Wardrobe of Kings, both of which I only then realized have to do with a king's clothing.
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The podcast is out now and includes a few newer (2026) poems as well. Check out my page on Events at the top of the list below for links (If it's not yet updated, check back in a few days or look up the podcasts on your favorite platforms.)
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I got to go to Bookclub which has started up again in my circle of friends, and my book (also listened to, rather than read) was Andrew Sorkin's 1929. It is, of course, about the great crash and how it happened, and who had a part to play in it. It is a dramatic take on what could otherwise be a very dull topic, and focuses on the personalities that made history happen. I recommend it.
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Now to find my next book!
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There was Easter of course and most of our children made it. We enjoyed a Tarot reading afterwards which is always food for thought, though I tend to go light on the woo-woo, in general.
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Another new podcast has just been released, recorded in December or January, I think, called Talking Green with TG. This one focused on climate change and how political involvement and democracy are so necessary for the advancement of action on climate issues.
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The abdication of our leadership role on climate change is resulting in untold damage, in my opinion. It was nice to hear how this issue is provoking young people into political action. I read my poem, Regrets, from the book Polemics, which is a ballad about the sun burning out, and the thoughtless attitude one person takes toward that inevitability, despite the dire consequences of his inaction.
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Finally, this past weekend, I took part in St Augustine Poetfest, a three-day-long festival of poetry. I tabled (piled books on a table to sell them) read at an open mic, read a ten-minute selection of my poetry in the Florida Poets segment, and enjoyed listening to the work of traveling poets, student poets, and poets, young and old. It was simply delightful.
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Kudos to Chris Bodor for standing at the helm of this fine event! He received a plaque for valor in the closing ceremonies. Well-deserved!
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The second recent poem below, Doubt and Definitions. 3 am, Ancient City recalls some of the thoughts that such rich congress with like minds can bring about.
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In it, I may do some injury to those who are not in the club of writers and poets, but I mean no harm! We all need both our tribe of like-minded folks, and our actual friends and family, who love us regardless of our talent or success, or our lack of either one.
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This lengthy unrhymed poem draws on my love of German vocabulary words, and uses totally speculative linguistics and self-created definitions. I also have to apologize in advance, for being unable to find an umlaut anywhere!
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The first poem below, Bread and Butter, refers to "bread and butter" or "kitchen table" issues in politics, which I remember Obama referring to way back when. People seem to hate touching the hot potatoes of our time, and would much rather focus on affordability and the like. But it is sobering to realize that even an authoritarian state can manage to seem affordable, even while it dismantles the mechanisms of democracy.
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My two other new poems attack politics, as usual. Hostages has to do with the Iran war, and how our experience with Iran in the 80's under Carter and Reagan colors our current actions. The second is called Raven and describes very simply the distasteful habits of scavengers, in both the natural and the political world.
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Hope all is well with you and yours!
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Events and Readings by Andrea W LeDew
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This page has a list of past and future events and readings of Andrea W LeDew, Author of Polemics: Political Poems & Prose.
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So Close and Yet So Far
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This essay discusses the Semiquincentennial celebration and compares it with Fourths of Years gone by.
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Drawing
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A poem on redistricting, the drawing of new districts to serve the ruling party's political purposes, with the blessing of the Supreme Court and with enthusiasm unchecked by either the people's will nor the State's Constitutional provisions.
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Attempt
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A poem describing the swirling emotions on and offline provoked by the attempted assassination of President Trump at the dinner for the press. Caveat: I do not doubt the attempt on his life was real. P.S. The photo is an attempt at beauty.
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Approaching May 1st, 2026, Anniversary of The Great Fire, Jacksonville, FL
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A poem about a very dry spring in Florida which calls to mind the terrible fire which consumed Jacksonville early in the 20th century.
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Smiles
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This poem analyzes the loss of reputation of the US in the eyes of its closest allies, and the attitude it projects, about that loss.
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