FFRF After-Life Member Philip Appleman, distinguished poet, scholar and freethinker, appeared on “Bill Moyers Journal” on July 8 on PBS. The powerful interview and transcript is online at billmoyers.com/segment/the-poetry-of-philip-appleman/.
There are website-only bonuses. Phil reads five additional poems. Photographs of Phil and his wife, playwright Margie Appleman, are featured, along with photos of Phil’s mother, the subject of his moving poem, “Gertrude” (read on air).
The interview, which encompasses Phil’s freethought views, included Phil reading his poem “Eve” and “God’s Grandeur” (which, at his request, was set to music by FFRF Co-President Dan Barker and is featured on FFRF’s music CD, “Friendly Neighborhood Atheist”). He also read “Parable of the Perfidious Proverbs,” which Freethought Today was honored to publish first and is the title of his newest book of poetry, a satiric look at the bible.
“Our love and congratulations to Philip Appleman for everything he has done for freethought, reason, population control and compassion,” said FFRF Co-President Annie Laurie Gaylor.
“The freethought community is honored to have Phil as one of its most distinguished, eloquent and gentle spokespersons.”
