While packing up the house, I found an anthology of children's poems that had belonged to my mother. The cover's torn and the pages yellowed, but inside was a treasure trove of fine poems that no child should grow up without.
I thought I'd start with a tribute to Ogden Nash, one of the pithiest writers of light verse ever. Judge for yourself. You can read his full bio here.
The Panther
The panther is like leopard,
Except it hasn't been peppered,
Should you behold a panther crouch,
prepare to say Ouch.
Better yet, if called by a panther,
Don't anther.
The Jelly Fish
Who wants my jellyfish?
I'm not sellyfish.
The Centipede
I objurate the centipede,
A bug we do not really need.
At sleepy-time he beats a path
Straight to the bedroom or the bath.
You always wallop where he's not,
Or, if he is, he makes a spot.
The Fly
The Lord in His wisdom made the fly
And then forgot to tell us why.
Best American poet. Period. "The People Upstairs"? Genius.
Posted by: c.c. | May 23, 2006 at 10:57 AM
I just Googled that and read it. Hilarious.
Posted by: Anne | May 23, 2006 at 05:08 PM