David Matthews
@matthewsdavid.bsky.social
Poet, runner, unaffiliated intellectual. Lean left, often feel like a faction of one. Substack: David Matthews Portable Bohemia https://davidmatthewsportablebohemia.substack.com/
Reflections on some reading I have been doing, The Invention of Prehistory by Stefanos Geroulanos, recipient of Phi Beta Kappa's 2025 Ralph Waldo Emerson Award, selected writings of the remarkable explorer, scientist, and scholar Alexander von Humboldt (1769-1859), and Jane Austen's Persuasion.
Portable Bohemia Newsletter Dec 15, 2025
Greetings from the Far Left Coast where it’s beginning to feel a lot like Christmas!
open.substack.com
December 15, 2025 at 5:42 PM
Reflections on some reading I have been doing, The Invention of Prehistory by Stefanos Geroulanos, recipient of Phi Beta Kappa's 2025 Ralph Waldo Emerson Award, selected writings of the remarkable explorer, scientist, and scholar Alexander von Humboldt (1769-1859), and Jane Austen's Persuasion.
One evening earlier this week I thought I found an opening into a brief Thanksgiving essay. It seemed promising after a second glass of wine, less so the following morning in the sober light of day. While looking for a way to express gratitude…
Thanks
One evening earlier this week I thought I found an opening into a brief Thanksgiving essay. It seemed promising after a second glass of wine, less so the following morning in the sober light of day. W...
davidmatthewsportablebohemia.substack.com
November 27, 2025 at 10:33 PM
One evening earlier this week I thought I found an opening into a brief Thanksgiving essay. It seemed promising after a second glass of wine, less so the following morning in the sober light of day. While looking for a way to express gratitude…
My poem "Apparitions Defiant" appears in the November issue of Quill & Parchment. Thanks to my friend editor-in-chief Sharmagne Leland-St John-Sylbert and editor Michael Escoubas.
Quill & Parchment: November 2025 ~ Vol 293
quillandparchment.com
November 1, 2025 at 2:51 PM
My poem "Apparitions Defiant" appears in the November issue of Quill & Parchment. Thanks to my friend editor-in-chief Sharmagne Leland-St John-Sylbert and editor Michael Escoubas.
JD Vance has a point when he says kids do stupid things. “They tell edgy, offensive jokes…And I really don’t want us to grow up in a country where a kid telling a stupid joke…is cause to ruin their lives.”
True to his nature Vance makes a mockery of the principle by applying it selectively…
True to his nature Vance makes a mockery of the principle by applying it selectively…
Speech and Consequences
JD Vance has a point when he says kids do stupid things.
open.substack.com
October 25, 2025 at 11:57 PM
JD Vance has a point when he says kids do stupid things. “They tell edgy, offensive jokes…And I really don’t want us to grow up in a country where a kid telling a stupid joke…is cause to ruin their lives.”
True to his nature Vance makes a mockery of the principle by applying it selectively…
True to his nature Vance makes a mockery of the principle by applying it selectively…
The Portable Bohemia newsletter for October 15 with brief reviews of The University in Ruins and Mitz: The Marmoset of Bloomsbury, thoughts about the welcome ceasefire and premature happy talk about peace in the Middle East, upcoming No Kings demonstrations, and more!
Portable Bohemia Newsletter Oct 15, 2025
Greetings from the Far Left Coast where I sometimes put aside mysteries read for diversion and take up more substantive fare.
open.substack.com
October 15, 2025 at 4:52 PM
The Portable Bohemia newsletter for October 15 with brief reviews of The University in Ruins and Mitz: The Marmoset of Bloomsbury, thoughts about the welcome ceasefire and premature happy talk about peace in the Middle East, upcoming No Kings demonstrations, and more!
The Portable Bohemia newsletter for October 1 with a report from Portland, thoughts about the shutdown, the spectacle yesterday in Quanitico, Virginia, the Abundance agenda, another study of domestic terrorism, and more!
Portable Bohemia Newsletter Oct 1, 2025
Greetings from the Far Left Coast where we await the occupation of Portland with grim humor, defiance, and coffee.
open.substack.com
October 1, 2025 at 3:28 PM
The Portable Bohemia newsletter for October 1 with a report from Portland, thoughts about the shutdown, the spectacle yesterday in Quanitico, Virginia, the Abundance agenda, another study of domestic terrorism, and more!
Reposted by David Matthews
I see so little interest
in the culture and beauty I share.
Do you really expect only the war from me?
Sorry, no.
Ukraine is more than the war.
And I’m stubborn enough to prove it.
in the culture and beauty I share.
Do you really expect only the war from me?
Sorry, no.
Ukraine is more than the war.
And I’m stubborn enough to prove it.
September 29, 2025 at 7:33 PM
I see so little interest
in the culture and beauty I share.
Do you really expect only the war from me?
Sorry, no.
Ukraine is more than the war.
And I’m stubborn enough to prove it.
in the culture and beauty I share.
Do you really expect only the war from me?
Sorry, no.
Ukraine is more than the war.
And I’m stubborn enough to prove it.
“Where Pierrot Waits” was composed long ago in a place far from here.
Where Pierrot Waits (a poem)
Politics is a duty.
open.substack.com
September 26, 2025 at 3:51 PM
“Where Pierrot Waits” was composed long ago in a place far from here.
Two Spanish volunteers for an NGO travel to a convent in western Ukraine where the nuns care for refugees. With some of the nuns they bring a bus of refugees from eastern Ukraine back to Spain. Incredibly moving story of courage and the heroism of ordinary people.
Sisters of Ukraine (2023) | Documentary
1h 24m
www.imdb.com
September 24, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Two Spanish volunteers for an NGO travel to a convent in western Ukraine where the nuns care for refugees. With some of the nuns they bring a bus of refugees from eastern Ukraine back to Spain. Incredibly moving story of courage and the heroism of ordinary people.
Jr. Kennedy’s canned responses when questioned about his views on vaccination are “show me the data” and “no vaccine is safe and effective.” If Kennedy has not seen the data, it is because he chooses to avert his gaze…
A Study in Dishonesty: Jr. Kennedy and the Anti-vax Crusade
Jr.
open.substack.com
September 11, 2025 at 5:08 PM
Jr. Kennedy’s canned responses when questioned about his views on vaccination are “show me the data” and “no vaccine is safe and effective.” If Kennedy has not seen the data, it is because he chooses to avert his gaze…
The Portable Bohemia newsletter for September 1, with Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey's heartfelt exhortation to do something about gun violence, perceptions about safety in my city despite a decline in violent crime, "assault with a breadly weapon" in DC, and more!
Portable Bohemia Newsletter Sept 1, 2025
Greetings from the Far Left Coast.
open.substack.com
September 1, 2025 at 3:34 PM
The Portable Bohemia newsletter for September 1, with Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey's heartfelt exhortation to do something about gun violence, perceptions about safety in my city despite a decline in violent crime, "assault with a breadly weapon" in DC, and more!