Section: «Poems»
Verse (ancient Greek ὁ στίχος — row, structure), a term in versification used in several meanings:
artistic speech organized by division into rhythmically commensurate segments; poetry in the narrow sense; in particular, it implies the properties of versification of a particular tradition ("antique verse", "Akhmatova's verse", etc.);
a line of poetic text organized according to a certain rhythmic pattern ("My uncle of the most honest rules").
The Praying Mantis
From whence arrived the praying mantis?From outer space, or lost Atlantis?glimpse the grin, green metal mugat masks the pseudo-saintly..
© Ogden Nash
The Shrimp
A shrimp who sought his lady shrimpCould catch no glimpseNot even a glimp.At times, translucenceIs rather a nuisance.
© Ogden Nash
Will Consider Situation
There here are words of radical advice for a young man looking for a job;Young man, be a snob.Yes, if you are in search of arguments against starting..
© Ogden Nash
Introspective Reflection
I would live all my life in nonchalance and insoucianceWere it not for making a living, which is rather a nouciance.
© Ogden Nash
The Hunter
The hunter crouches in his blind'Neath camouflage of every kindAnd conjures up a quacking noiseTo lend allure to his decoysThis grown-up man, with..
© Ogden Nash
The Middle
When I remember bygone daysI think how evening follows morn;So many I loved were not yet dead,So many I love were not yet born.
© Ogden Nash
The Sniffle
In spite of her sniffleIsabel's chiffle.Some girls with a sniffleWould be weepy and tiffle;They would look awful,Like a rained-on waffle,But Isabel's..
© Ogden Nash
Lather As You Go
Beneath this slabJohn Brown is stowed.He watched the adsAnd not the road.
© Ogden Nash
Old Dr. Valentine To His Son
Your hopeless patients will live,Your healthy patients will die.I have only this word to give:Wonder, and find out why
© Ogden Nash
Lines On Facing Forty
I have a bone to pick with Fate.Come here and tell me, girlie,Do you think my mind is maturing late,Or simply rotted early?
© Ogden Nash
The Sunset Years Of Samuel Shy
Master I may be,But not of my fate.Now come the kisses, too many too late.Tell me, O Parcae,For fain would I know,Where were these kisses three..
© Ogden Nash
The Ostrich
The ostrich roams the great Sahara.Its mouth is wide, its neck is narra.It has such long and lofty legs,I'm glad it sits to lay its eggs.
© Ogden Nash
Pg Wooster, Just As He Useter
Bound to your bookseller, leap to your library,Deluge your dealer with bakshish and bribary,Lean on the counter and never say when,Wodehouse and..
© Ogden Nash
What's The Use?
Sure, deck your limbs in pants,Yours are the limbs, my sweeting.You look divine as you advance . . .Have you seen yourself retreating?
© Ogden Nash
The Rhinoceros
The rhino is a homely beast,For human eyes he's not a feast.Farwell, farewell, you old rhinoceros,I'll stare at something less prepoceros.
© Ogden Nash
You Can Be A Republican, I'M A Genocrat
Oh, "rorty" was a mid-Victorian wordWhich meant "fine, splendid, jolly,"And often to me it has reoccurredIn moments melancholy.For instance..
© Ogden Nash
The Abominable Snowman
I've never seen an abominable snowman,I'm hoping not to see one,I'm also hoping, if I do,That it will be a wee one.
© Ogden Nash
Song To Be Sung By The Father Of Infant Female Children
My heart leaps up when I beholdA rainbow in the sky;Contrariwise, my blood runs coldWhen little boys go by.For little boys as little boys,No special..
© Ogden Nash
Goody For Our Side And Your Side Too
Foreigners are people somewhere else,Natives are people at home;If the place you’re atIs your habitat,You’re a foreigner, say in Rome.But the scales..
© Ogden Nash
To A Small Boy Standing On My Shoes While I Am Wearing Them
Let's straighten this out, my little man,And reach an agreement if we can.I entered your door as an honored guest.My shoes are shined and my trousers..
© Ogden Nash
The Wasp
The wasp and all his numerous familyI look upon as a major calamity.He throws open his nest with prodigality,But I distrust his waspitality.
© Ogden Nash
Grandpa Is Ashamed
A child need not be very cleverTo learn that "Later, dear" means "Never."
© Ogden Nash