I found my attention drawn back to light verse this week. Light Verse is often based on observation of everyday matters. It may be about relationships such as marriage, family, suburban existence, childrearing, work, sport, animals, food, generational differences and the pressures associated with modern life. It can also concern itself with matters political.
The writers of light verse sometimes specialize in a particular topic or issue.Some stick to a particular poetic form.
Light verse, according to poet and light verse writer, Richard Armour is written in the spirit of play.
Light verse is capable of reaching a wide audience, such is its universal appeal. In its best presentations, it is possessed of rhythm, rhyme and a dollop of humour -all accessible elements to everyday readers. Light verse also frequently calls upon wordplay and alliteration. I think that is what draws me to it...
One of the most famous exponents of light verse was Odgen Nash (see below). When I think light verse I also think of poets like Spike Milligsn, Pam Ayres, Wendy Cope, Edward Lear and Lewis Carroll.
The spirit of light verse is being kept alive by the witty verse of modern day poets like Brian Bilston (see below).
The mustard from wieners
As much as the slacks
Just back from the cleaners.
.jpeg)
It takes a special poet to use word play to get grins like these! You're in good company!
ReplyDeleteWell, thank you Mary Lee. It feels good to be part of this poetry push. Word play is something I view as vitally important and as always I draw inspiration from those poets who share that predilection.
DeleteI know them all, Alan, was told as a tot I recited about the purple cow, a lot! I have a ceramic purple cow given to me by my grandmothers. Love your "not his cup of tea"! Cerf is always a winner! I enjoyed your intro, too!
ReplyDeleteYou're right Linda. Many of these are embedded in our earlier literary history. Thank for your kind remarks. I do come from a long line of tea drinkers, so that no doubt provided an impetuss for the poem.
DeleteI never saw a Scuppered poem & now always hope to see one. And I can tell you right now, I'd rather write than read one. This post, especially your original, is fun & I agree about nostalgia for these. In my case my mother & her silly sisters played word games with Lear, Nash & others of their ilk. A Wunnerful read, just wunnerful ,in these troubled times. Appreciations.
ReplyDeleteI very much appreciate your generous response to my post. Your wordplay is very much welcomed here too. Great word-scuppered.
DeleteThank you Liz. Laughter is most welcome when it comes to light verse.
ReplyDeleteI love light verse, Alan - and glad to see Purple Cow in your post. It was the first poem I knew by heart and it still makes me smile.
ReplyDeleteI'm pleased this evoked a poetic memory Sally. Like you, I love light verse and its inherent humour and wordplay.
DeleteThanks for all the smiles and laughs here Alan, we oughta fit more light verse in on a regular basis! I never knew the "Purple Cow" was by Gelett Burgess, my mother recited this to me many times in my childhood, I've also been a big fan of Nash and Lear–Fun post!
ReplyDeleteSmiles and laughs are good Michelle. Purple Cow seems to have universally recited in our respective childhoods.
DeleteTee hee! I love these. My students have been looking for "funny." I need to share these with them. Love how the "not his cup of tea" worked out.
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed the light touch with its humour, Linda. Feel free to share the fun.
DeleteThese are so much fun! They look so simple, but I know from the times I've tried writing light verse it's harder than it looks!
ReplyDeleteThey are fun as you you state, Kay. They are also a challenge to write as you also point out. When it works, it is so satisfying. Short and sweet and possessed of humour.
DeleteI like to think that all poetry is rooted in play of some kind--but you're right that some kinds of play are more fun than others! In my spouse's family there are many writers of light verse but they call it doggerel. : )
ReplyDeletePlay is a powerful driver, Heidi. I agree. Whimsy and inventiveness with language is never far away for many of us. Doggerel is also quite interesting, possessing many of the qualities we apply to light verse such as humour, but often distinguished by irregular rhythm or rhyme. In Australia the poet C J Dennis was always referred to as writing, doggerel.
DeleteThere's something so universally delightful about light verse, Alan. Ogden Nash is a particular favorite of mine, and I enjoyed all the poems you shared. I've been feeling a need to play a bit more with my poetry. Thanks for sharing so many powerful mentors.
ReplyDeleteGo play, Molly! Have fun with wordplay and humour. Chuckle as you compose. I too like Odgen Nash. Glad you enjoy the light fare I shared.
DeleteTruly a joy for my heart to read something light! Thank you, Alan!
ReplyDeleteSo pleased you found joy in reading these examples of light verse, Patricia.
DeleteI love witty light verse. J. Patrick Lewis is one of my favorite contemporary poets who does it so well. Although he also does really serious and thoughtful poetry spectacularly, as well. These are great examples, and I was chuckling out loud. That's a nice change for a Sunday night! Thanks:)
ReplyDeleteI will chceck out J Patrick Lewis, Laura. I am currently unfamiliar with his work, so thank you for the alert. Glad my selections gave you a Sunday night chuckle.
Delete