Karen Eastlund, with whom I've had a great time with at Highlights, is hosting today on Poetry Karen's Got A Blog! Since most of us are not going much of anywhere these days, Karen is sharing a Norwegian memory from her dad for Father's Day and a poem votes as the "finest Norweigian poem of all time." Wow, that's quite an honor. Thanks, Karen!I'm becoming more political every day, and can't seem to stop more learning about candidates, policies, and reading books that help me know about #ownvoices for #blacklivesmatter and other groups left out because of who they happen to be.
Last Monday, FYI, I posted a review of the new poetry book, Woke - A Young Poet's Call to Justice. You can find it here. Don't miss reading this book!
This week I voted and am working to get people registered through sending postcards. It's so easy in Colorado. We've voted by mail since 2013 and according to some news sources, it's also cheaper! There are drop-off stations everywhere or one can use postage to mail the ballot in, too.
I also realize that sometimes one needs to laugh, and this week a book of Ogden Nash's Beastly Poetry was donated to the used bookstore where I volunteer. And it was full of chuckles and smiles for me. Wouldn't it be the most fun to read what he would write in our world today?
The Cow
The cow is of the bovine ilk;
One end is moo, the other, milk.
The Duck
Behold the duck.
It does not cluck.
A cluck it lacks.
It quacks.
It is specially fond
of a puddle or pond.
When it dines or sups,
It bottoms ups.
He wrote of all kinds of creatures but touched today's world after all when toward the end I found
The Germ
A mighty creature is the germ,
Though smaller than the pachyderm.
His customary dwelling place
Is deep within the human race.
His childish pride he often pleases
By giving people strange diseases.
Do you, my poppet, feel infirm?
You probably contain a germ.
I'm taking a break for July, wishing all of you a good month of summer wherever you might land!
Thanks for the updates and the laughs, Linda. I love Ogden! I have a busy day tomorrow so I'm trying to make connections tonight. Best...K
ReplyDeleteHad to come by for my dose of Ogden Nash, who always makes me smile and laugh! I think I've read "The Cow" and "The Duck" but not "The Germ" how timely, love how he pulled in the pachyderms. Have a good month off Linda, I'm thinking about doing that in August… Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThese poems are all such fun to read out loud. ("Poppet" is such a fun, funny word) Great picks, Linda, and thanks for writing postcards! Hope you have a nice break.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your activism AND humor. Happy break!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing these. I appreciate Nash's humor and the way he saw the world. And that germ poem will stik with me.
ReplyDeleteThese poem are so fun! The germ, smaller than a pachyderm. Colorado is ahead of most states on mail in voting it sounds like. That's something to be proud of. It's the only way this fall.
ReplyDeleteI love Ogden Nash, and you've managed to find some that are new to me. I need to study his rhyming. He's a master. He nailed today's world with The Germ! Happy July! We'll miss you!
ReplyDeleteWe'll miss you in July! See you in August!
ReplyDeleteThanks everyone! I hope you found a laugh here today. I've been with my granddaughters all day, so no time to read posts. I'll read throughout tonight & on the weekend!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your July, Linda - and thanks for these giggles. I love that cow! Very amoooosing!
ReplyDeleteOh, I love The Germ! That did make me laugh. Thank you for the lighthearted verse. I do need it. So fun. And, thank you for stepping up to help people vote. It's crucial all the time...but it feels especially crucial this voting cycle.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kat & Linda. Happy to give you a laugh during this time of unrest.
ReplyDeleteWoke is on my tbr list, Linda--thanks for the reminder. And for these laughs. Ogden at his cleverest reminds me of Douglas Florian's short, punny poems, too!
ReplyDeleteYes, I need to pull out some of the Florian books I have! Thanks, Laura!
DeleteLinda, thank you for the poetic gems this week. I especially like Ogden Nash's last poem. I have not read his works lately but always remember how in high school I was intrigued by his writing. I hope your July hiatus allows you to enjoy the things you are involved in. While you are not traveling to Florida for your family trip, I am sure that you and the grandgirls will come up with pleasant activities for a staycation. I look forward to your return.
ReplyDeleteThe Nash book was fun to read & I know July will bring new delights, Carol. Thank you!
DeleteThank you so much for your unflagging activism, Linda. On that much-needed lighter note, Ogden Nash is a tonic, for sure! I have always loved his poetry and my son used to recite "The Germ" all the time! lol Enjoy your July!
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