"Let all your things be done in Love." (1 Corinthians 16:14)
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Introduction:

My photo
Current: Danbury, CT, United States
Welcome! A few years ago, I discovered an application that artists employ in their works to bring cultural awareness to their audiences. Having discerned this semiotic theory that applies to literature, music, art, film, and the media, I have devoted the blog,Theory of Iconic Realism to explore this theory. The link to the publisher of my book is below. If you or your university would like a copy of this book for your library or if you would like to review it for a scholarly journal, please contact the Edwin Mellen Press at the link listed below. Looking forward to hearing from you!

Announcements

I will present or have presented research on Sydney Owenson (Lady Morgan) or my semiotic theory of iconic realism at the following location(s):

2026: I will be researching and writing my third book on iconic realism.

November 2025: New England Regional Conference for Irish Studies, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, "Sociolinguistic Evidence in James Joyce’s Ulysses: The Use of Language to Express the Semiotic Theory of Iconic Realism"

April 2022: American Conference for Irish Studies, virtual event: (This paper did not discuss Sydney Owenson.) "It’s in the Air: James Joyce’s Demonstration of Cognitive Dissonance through Iconic Realism in His Novel, Ulysses"

October, 2021: Sacred Heart University, Fairfield, CT: "Sydney Owenson’s use of sociolinguistics and iconic realism to defend marginalized communities in 19th century Ireland"

March, 2021: Lenoir-Rhyne University, Hickory, North Carolina: "Sydney Owenson (Lady Morgan): A Nineteenth Century Advocate for Positive Change through Creative Vision"

October, 2019: Elms College, Chicopee, Massachusetts: "A Declaration of Independence: Dissolving Sociolinguistic Borders in the Literature of Sydney Owenson (Lady Morgan)"

17 January, 2026

"Touching His Hem..."


Photo from DuckDuckGo images

"...They... besought Him that they might only touch the hem of His garment: 
and as many as touched were made perfectly whole." (Matthew 14:35-36) kjv

Touching His Hem

Broken, 
she sought the Truth
of whom she was supposed to be. 
She did not have the knowledge, 
so she searched for inspiration 
and found it not, 
for she was lost and afraid. 
Until... 
she touched the hem of His garment. 

© Jeanne I. Lakatos

To hear me read this verse, please click HERE.


16 January, 2026

My Hands, a poem

 "And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us: and establish thou the work of our hands upon us; yea, the work of our hands establish thou it." (Psalm 90:17)

Below is a poem with the theme of my use of hands, 
which some may think is archaic in this current era of technology:

Harp and me, one afternoon

My Hands

Turning 
weathered pages of a centuries old book,
my fingers touch a piece of history,
for this page was once turned by the fingertips
of a lady sitting by candlelight on a blue velvet chair,
her linen dress, flowing around covered ankles.
Strumming 
the strings of a vibrating harp, melodic echoes, soothe
the mind of my precious dog who lives to protect me
love me, comfort me. It's the least I can do for her.
Kneading 
dough that clings to each finger until I apply 
one more dash of flour to create 
the soft ball that will miraculously rise
to form into the sweet, aromatic sustenance of life: 
bread, feeding others with joy.
Threading 
a needle with just the right length and color 
of waxed cotton,
slowly I turn remnant pieces of cloth
into a quilted memory to comfort 
through the warmth of artistry and pragmatism.
Digging 
into rich, brown soil, I plant a seed
water, nurture, protect until one day it grows
into a savory food, the source of a satisfied smile.
Holding 
an extended hand, I feel the presence
of tender strength, our fingertips, touching,
Loving 
 brushing the tear from a dear one's eye
fond memory of the gentleness.
Praying
palm against palm, I sing a song of praise.
Humbly, I give thanks to Him,
Knowing 
His Love is undying, strengthening, 
guiding each step to fulfillment of 
His Purpose for me:
Living 
from heart to hand.

© Jeanne I. Lakatos


(To hear my reading of this poem on Pod-omatic, click HERE.)

15 January, 2026

One Toothy Smile... for a Price


Photo from Google Images: 6thsenselondon.com

One Toothy Smile... for a Price

The last time I was there,
she scrubbed and scraped
poked and prodded
flossed and fussed
asked me questions
and seemed to understand
my mouth-filled speech,
draped an x-ray proof
jacket upon me
left the room
to "take pictures"
stuffed my mouth
with fluoride cotton pillows 
and with the tray,
again left the room,
called in the physician
who poked and prodded
gaped and nodded
examined the pictures
and stated quite satisfied,
“Your teeth are fine!”
Upon checking out,
the receptionist announced,
“That’ll be $400.00, please,
and would you like to make an appointment 
for 6 months from now?”
Hmmm... I thought to myself: 
"I’ll return...
when my tooth aches
more than my wallet."

© Jeanne I. Lakatos

14 January, 2026

Bubbles

http://www.software-dungeon.co.uk/images/594_amazing-bubbles-3d-screensaver-640-1.jpg

         
         Level bubble from Duck-Duck-Go images


Bubbles

A bubble floats across warm seas,
or saunters back and forth 
in the boundaries of a level,
in sync with those other bubbles
recently settled.
Through their assembly,
each translucent sphere 
contributes structured eccentricity, 
globular bodies of air 
traveling through a liquid,
transforming chaos 
into serene resolve.

© Jeanne I. Lakatos

13 January, 2026

Insouciance

Insouciance 

Feeling soucieux,
for the Bus has left without me,
I delve into the furthermost
reaches of a leather universe,
searching for a tissue to dry my tears,
lacking in certain finesse.

Soon, I touch something
soft, limp, fuzzy with appendages!
Ew, what has crawled into my purse?
Gingerly, I lift out the soft, limp,
fuzzy object by one of its appendages.

It stares at me with beady eyes
still, silent, smiling at me
insouciant as ever, James Joyce.
I rejoice... a friend!
What bus? 

© Jeanne I. Lakatos



* insouciant or insouciance: nonchalant, unconcerned
* soucieux: worried, concerned 


12 January, 2026

Common Thread, Shared Bread



Photo from DuckDuckGo Images

Common Thread, Shared Bread

Friendship bound by a common thread
nourished with inspirational Bread
of kindness, humor, and stories we share.
How lovely! Someone actually does care! 
These are the blessings we unfold
honoring love as our version of gold,
refraining from giving annoyance reign
for a wintry soul has warmth to gain.
 Lifting hearts with a benevolent thread,
we stitch the tattered as we share the Bread.

© Jeanne I. Lakatos

To hear me recite this verse, please click HERE. 

11 January, 2026

Power of Love


East Lake, Danbury, Connecticut

Power of Love

This Power of Love
electrifies, magnifies, clarifies
the Divinity 
within our living, human souls. 
Always moving us forward
through the darkness, the sadness
the vacuity, 
and into a peaceful sharing
of the Light, the Joy, 
the Promise.

Thus, I am eternally grateful 
for this Power of Love
that echoes through our lives, 
purifying us for the next
as this Love from our hearts,
overflowing,
carries us gently 
into the Peace, the Hope, 
the Blessed Purpose
of our Journey together.

© Jeanne I. Lakatos