Ogden Nash (1902–1971)

This book was a joy. It is a collection of many different humorous poems; some describe the world in a strange new way, some tell stories, and some are just fun to read aloud. These poems appeal to a child's imagination and offer laughter and adventure.

Although I myself am not a parent, somewhere deep inside me is a little voice telling me that despite dirty diapers, sleepless nights, and colic, it would be worth having children, just so I could read them this book. There is a sense of show more wonder in this book that I wouldn't have thought possible.

This book is pure magic. show less

Tell me oh Octopus I begs,
Is those things arms, or is they legs?
I marvel at thee, Octopus;
If I were thou, I'd call me Us.

So begins this collection of Ogden Nash's Beastly Poetry. The common theme is animals, and if it the result borders on doggerel, it would be catty to complain.

How many scientists have written
The shark is gentle as a kitten!
Yet this I know about the shark:
His bite is worser than his bark.

The main problem with this collection is the problem with life in general: it's show more too short. But then, it was published by Hallmark as an inexpensive collection, suitable for an Xmas stocking. What holiday wouldn't be brightened by such contributions as this?

Some insects feed on rosebuds,
And others feed on carrion.
Between them they devour the earth,
Bugs are totalitarian. show less

Chesterton had me impressed a ton,
But Nash ain't trash.

In this volume, you may find
A collection of witty poems, some vicious, some kind.
And still others will lift that cloud
That's been hanging over your head, and will make you (I must say in all honesty) laugh out loud!

There are several bits that I enjoy.
Reading Nash reminds of being a a young boy,
Deciphering his wit, and his rhyme, and his meter,
And trying to find the meaning without being a cheater.
But, oh, wow, there would be times when show more my mind would wander; it would be out to lunch
And then the punch!
Unexpected, but still worth a read,
More poets like Nash, that's something the world could need.
But until somebody dons that humorous mantle,
Let the spirit linger, and put away that bell, book and cantle! show less

Would you expect any less from me? Ogden Nash is one of my favourite poets and a lot of my favourites of his poems are in this collection. It's also a collection that reminds me very much of my grandfather, who is fond of reciting poems from it. "Barber, barber, come and get me / Hairy torrents irk and fret me." One of those books I'd probably snap up at a library book sale or in a secondhand shop.