Think About It. Poetry Constant quoter Willy Wonka had the happy habit of recalling memorable poetic lines from not only William Shakespeare, but also John Keats, Oscar Wilde and the incorrigible Ogden Nash, my poet hero from early days. A somewhat sheltered child, I was probably in a minority of those who waited until majority to understand the meaning. I was born the year it was published. But, we’ll get to that later.
A poem you sort of remember, would cause you to read from now through September. Four thousand lines, both tender and clever, “A thing of beauty is a joy forever.” John Keats. 1818.
We’ll skip the Bard’s sweet sonnets this time, since some folks find reason with the rhyme, to be defensive when they find the thoughts offensive.
In one of few family friendly Wilde quotes, Willy says “All bad poetry springs from sincerity.” From Willy’s own store of wisdom comes, “Three things tell a man: his eyes, his friends and his favorite quotes. ” It’s your choice if you be so brash, as to see my soul through Ogden Nash.” Sage Thyme” 2014.
“Children aren’t happy with nothing to ignore.
That’s what parents were created for.”
Concerning bankers he rhymed,
“… they all observe one rule, which woe betides ones who don’t heed it.
You must never lend money unless they don’t need it.”
Far from his first and a long way from last, he rhymed witty words of the present and past. Sometimes to make rhymes complete, he’d even resort to a bit of a cheat. An extra syll ah’ ble might grace the page, causing the cautious to rant with rage.
“From Zeb-er-a to Armadillo, Nash was fond of peccadillo.” How about you?
Now, the rhyming couplet second, for which our expectations beckoned.
“Candy is dandy,
But liquor is quicker.”
From “Reflections on Ice Breaking” Ogden Nash 1931.
Others, fearing morning ruing and alcohol eschewing, much prefer an evening smart, with the really ardent art, Poetry. Think About It.