The American Academy of Poetry has deemed today “Poem in Your Pocket Day”, as part of National Poetry Month.
Whereupon I will share my favorite poem with you:
First Fig
My candle burns at both ends;
It will not last the night;
But ah, my foes, and oh, my friends-
It gives a lovely light!
Second Fig
Safe upon the solid rock the ugly houses stand:
Come and see my shining palace built upon the sand!
-Edna St. Vincent Millay
Also, in the spirit of the day, two poems I can remember my father reciting,
at the slightest provocation:
As I was going up the stair
I met a man who wasn’t there
He wasn’t there again today
I wish like hell he’d go away.
-William Hughes Mearns
(the last line is supposed to be “I wish, I wish he’d stay away.”
I like my dad’s version better.)
Chicken in the car.
The car can’t go;
That’s how you spell Chicago.
-apparently an “old Trini saying”, whatever that means.
Quickly! Share your favorite poem, with me or anyone, and mark this day on your calendar for next year…
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