SATURDAY, AUGUST 17, 2024 - SOME POEMS

 SATURDAY, AUGUST 17, 2024 - WHIMSICAL POETRY

A QUESTION

Robert Frost

A voice said, Look me in the stars

And tell me truly, men of earth,

If all the soul-and-body scars

Were not too much to pay for birth.

Karen adds:

We do end up with sout-and-body scars - the mental hurts, the physical pains, the emotional ups-and-downs.  Some people said, ‘I wish I were never born’.  That is depression speaking.  I know I have been privileged.  I haven’t lived on the streets - homeless and an addict - that might be a case to say, “I wish I were never born”.

*****

A Very Short Song

Dorothy Parker

Once, when I was young and true,

Someone left me sad-

Broke my brittle heart in two;

And that is very bad.

Love is for unlucky folk,

Love is but a curse.

Once there was a heart I broke;

And that, I think, is worse.

Karen adds:

Yes, my heart has been broken, but … have I broken other people’s hearts?  

*****

A Word to Husbands

Ogden Nash

To keep your marriage brimming

With love in the loving cup,

Whenever you’re wrong, admit it;

Whenever you’re right, shut up.

Karen adds:  Bravo!!!  Sore losers are bad, but bragging, sore winners can be a lot worse.

****

Do Not Stand at my Grave and weep

Mary Elizabeth Frye

Do not stand at my grave and weep

I am not there. I do not sleep.

I am a thousand winds that blow.

I am the diamond glints on snow.

I am the sunlight on ripened grain.

I am the gentle autumn rain.

When you awaken in the morning's hush

I am the swift uplifting rush

Of quiet birds in circled flight.

I am the soft stars that shine at night.

Do not stand at my grave and cry;

I am not there. I did not die.

Karen adds:  I don’t know if there are a finite number of atoms in the world, or if more atoms are being made - but the atoms that made up our mortal bodies must get recycled in some way.

*****

And finally one where I know the :”chorus” - but here is the whole poem:

Liquor is Quicker

Ogden Nash

If you're looking to re-rig your brain

and the trip to your doc was in vain

I've got just the thing

no need for the bling

If you want to avoid lots of pain

I know *Candy is Dandy* for sure

it's a pleasure so instant and pure

but *Liquor is Quicker*

for that mental flicker

so you really can't beat the allure

Oh but "Candy is Dandy" you say

though that toothache will not go away

see the dentist has stock

in the bizness to mock

what his patients are chewing today

Therefore "Liquor is Quicker" indeed

just to bring your need up to full speed

now take a good swig

you 'll be doing the jig

and your happiness is guaranteed

Karen adds:  Yes, liquor might be quicker (but avoid overdoing it and having a huge hangover tomorrow!!!

*****

LOVE WINS

LOVE TRANSFORMS

Karen Anne White, August 17, 2024