Support First Things by turning your adblocker off or by making a  donation. Thanks!

Echoes

From the December 2020 Print Edition

“Do the kitchen? I’ll give you Swedish Fish!”I hear negotiations reach a peak,numbers flying, the clatter of each dish—the kids are home, visiting for the week. That gummy currency bought lots of things—a chore, “shotgun,” a TV show, a wish—less like cash and more like . . . . Continue Reading »

Reading the Signs

From the May 2020 Print Edition

So-and-so slept here, a date, a listof battles fought—whatever they’re about,he reads them all, not just to get the gistbut top to bottom, loudly, calling outexcitedly, listen to this, you guys,to share with them this knowledge on display,this one cool fact. The kids all roll their . . . . Continue Reading »

Prop Tools

From the March 2017 Print Edition

My friend the carpenter (no, not that one) Told me about a trick some workmen use.They leave some tools around if they’re not done—Nothing that they can’t afford to lose—As if they’ve gone for coffee or a snack,Or an emergency—a roof with leaks.They want to keep us thinking, “They’ll . . . . Continue Reading »

Paper Town

From the May 2014 Print Edition

The fictional town of Agloe, New York, was invented as acopyright trap by cartographers to help track infringement.People driving through look at the map,the empty road, the map. They clean their glasses.Not knowing anything about this trap, nearby townsfolk shrug, when asked. Time passes. . . . . Continue Reading »

Paper Town

From the February 2014 Print Edition

The fictional town of Agloe, New York, was invented as a copyright trap by cartographers to help track infringement. People driving through look at the map, the empty road, the map. They clean their glasses. Not knowing anything about this trap, nearby townsfolk shrug, when asked. Time passes. . . . . Continue Reading »

The Perks

From the June/July 2008 Print Edition

Why is Satan not too hot in hell? He doesn’t seem to suffer like the rest Who languish there. You’d almost say he’s blessed, He’s acclimated to the place so well. Perhaps he has a fast metabolism? But he can’t be impervious to heat- That would be kind of silly and . . . . Continue Reading »