Thinking in terms of rhyme

“Middle age is when you're sitting at home on a Saturday night and the telephone rings and you hope it isn't for you.” – Ogden Nash

          Born on this date in 1902, Nash was known for his light verse, of which he wrote over 500 pieces. With his unconventional rhyming schemes he was declared by many critics and fellow poets alike as the country's best-known producer of humorous poetry, including what’s often termed the world’s shortest poem “Fleas.”  In two lines, it read, “Adam/  Had’em.”   

          Throughout his life, Nash, who died in 1971, said he loved to rhyme.  "I think in terms of rhyme, and have since I was six years old," he stated in a 1958 interview.  For Saturday’s Poem, here are a few examples of Nash’s poetic musings.

    A Word to Husbands

To keep your marriage brimming
With love in the loving cup,
Whenever you’re wrong, admit it;
Whenever you’re right, shut up.

              Celery

             Celery, raw
         Develops the jaw,
       But celery, stewed,
     Is more quietly chewed.

                   A Flea and a Fly in a Flue

A flea and a fly in a flue

               Were imprisoned, so what could they do?
                        Said the fly, "let us flee!"
                        "Let us fly!" said the flea.
                So they flew through a flaw in the flue.

Morning Prayer

    Now another day is breaking,
    Sleep was sweet and so is waking.
    Dear Lord, I promised you last night
    Never again to sulk or fight.
    Such vows are easier to keep
    When a child is sound asleep.
    Today, O Lord, for your dear sake,
     I'll try to keep them when awake.

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