Welcome to The Ironist
ISSN 2817-7363
The Ironist is dedicated to exploring irony wherever it occurs. We have a range of essays and stories which cover historical, artistic, and contemporary life and events. We welcome your comments, support and submissions.
Our Guest is a God – Atithi Devo Bhava
(Taittiriya Upanishad, Shikshavalli I.11.2) Great India #1 Nanda Devi from the Himalayan Writing Retreat I have just returned from nearly a month spread between Delhi and The Himalayan Writing Retreat. The first morning I woke to the screaming chirps of ten green...
Words, Words, Words VI : Watch Your Language
Peter writes his sixth essay on the 'abusage' of language, an affliction all too rampant today. Polonius: What do you read, my lord? Hamlet: Words, words, words. Polonius: What is the matter, my lord? Hamlet: Between who? Polonius: I mean, the matter that you read, my...
RAMBLINGS #11 – Mañana
A rambling on language, leisure, beauty, and the business of accepting what we can't control. Some things we think about, some we ignore. And some are more important than others. Does it matter if we fight against the inevitable? Or should we just accept it? Apse of...
The Misanthrope
Peter Scotchmer's latest short story introduces us to Wilf Wolflinger, apparently the smartest man on the street. My name is Wilf Wolflinger. You might have heard of me. I used to write travel books, but I’m too old for that now. My travelling days-- to Bogota or...
Sex Education: A Short Story
In this short story by Jack Stilborn, a construction executive builds his ten-year-old son a bridge to adulthood. The realization hits Adam as he parks his SUV. Margot’s Lexus is waiting for him in their driveway, a silent accusation. He has missed the meeting. The...
WORDS, WORDS, WORDS V: On Reading (Part Two)
Polonius: What do you read, my lord? Hamlet: Words, words, words. Polonius: What is the matter, my lord? Hamlet: Between who? Polonius: I mean, the matter that you read, my lord. What follows is a review of two outstanding recent books on the value of reading, which...
Mewubis on Simplicity
Our newest columnist, Mewubis, lives in a dumpster, judges humanity, and bears a suspicious resemblance to a Greek philosopher who did the same thing 2,400 years ago. Only he wasn't a cat. You ask me why I live in a dumpster? My friend, it’s my choice. Let me explain:...
Wings of Gold: Angels in Byzantine Art
This final essay traces how artists dressed the divine in imperial robes, gold sashes, and red shoes, and produced, in the Angel with the Golden Hair, one of the most beautiful faces ever painted. In the previous essay, we traced how Pseudo-Dionysius organized the...
WORDS, WORDS, WORDS IV: On Reading
Peter writes his fourth essay on the love of reading and the perils of speedreading. Read on! Polonius: What do you read, my lord? Hamlet: Words, words, words. Polonius: What is the matter, my lord? Hamlet: Between who? Polonius: I mean, the matter that you read, my...